Visa Categories and documents Required (taking effect from September 1, 2013)
What is the major purpose of your visit to China and which is the most appropriate visa category for your application?
|
Major Purpose of Visit |
Visa Categories |
Description of Visa |
|
Exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities |
F |
Issued to those who are invited to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities. |
|
Commerce & Trade |
M |
Issued to those who are invited to China for commercial and trade activities. |
|
As a tourist |
L |
Issued to those who are going to travel to China for tourism. |
|
Family reunion, foster care or visiting relatives with permanent residence in China |
Q1 |
Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for a long-term family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purposes of foster care (intended duration of stay in China exceeding 180 days). "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. |
|
Q2 |
Issued to those who intend to visit relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China; the intended duration of stay is limited to no more than 180 days. | |
|
Visiting relatives working or studying in China or other private affairs |
S1 |
Issued to relatives of foreigners working or studying in China for the purpose of long-term visit, or to those who intend to visit China for other private reasons (intended duration of stay exceeding 180 days). "Relatives" refer to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 years and parents-in-law. |
|
S2 |
Issued to those wishing to visit family members that are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private reasons. The intended duration of stay in China is limited to no more than 180 days. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | |
|
Employment |
Z |
Issued to those taking up a post or employment, or giving commercial performances, in China. |
|
Commercial performances | ||
|
Transit |
G |
Issued to those who are going to transit through China en route to a third country (or region). |
|
As a crew member or a motor vehicle driver |
C |
Issued to foreign crew members of aircraft, trains and ships, motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, and also to the accompanying family members of the above-mentioned ships' crew members. |
|
As a student |
X1 |
Issued to those intending to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. |
|
X2 |
Issued to those intending to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. | |
|
As an introduced talent |
R |
Issued to those who are high-level qualified talents or whose skills are urgently needed by China. |
|
As a journalist |
J1 |
Issued to resident foreign journalists/media staff of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. |
|
J2 |
Issued to foreign journalists/media staff on temporary news coverage missions. The intended duration of stay in China is limited to no more than 180 days. | |
|
Permanent Residence |
D |
Issued to those who are going to reside in China permanently. |
Step 1 Prepare Application Documents
Here are the documents you shall prepare before submission:
1. Basic Documents
(1) Passport
Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and with blank visa pages, a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate
(2) Visa Application Form and Photo
One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken colour passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background (size: 48mm x 33mm) attached
(3) Proof of legal status (applicable for those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates of residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal stay provided by the relevant authorities of the country where the Visa Centre is located.
(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)
If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide the last Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.
If you have obtained Chinese visas before and apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change).
2. Supporting Documents
F-Visa
An official invitation letter issued by a relevant unit or individual in China. The invitation should contain:
(1) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);
(2) Information regarding the planned visit (incl. purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
(3) Information of the inviting party (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, stamp, signature of the legal representative or individual).
M-Visa
(1) Documents concerning commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation, etc. The invitation letter should contain:
a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);
b) Details of the planned visit (incl. purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, places to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
c) Information of the inviting party (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or individual).
(2) Applicants who have obtained M-visas more than twice over the previous two years (or obtained an F-visa before September 1, 2013 for the purpose of commercial and trade activities) or have a certificate of investments in China, a business license or other documents, may apply for a multiple-entry M-visa valid for half a year or one year, but the applicants must provide photocopies of the aforementioned visas or relevant documents.
L-Visa
Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by a relevant unit or individual in China. The Invitation Letter should contain:
(1) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);
(2) Details of the planned visit (incl. arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, accommodation arrangements, etc.);
(3) Information of the inviting party (incl. name of organization or person concerned, contact telephone number, address, official stamp of the organization, signature of the legal representative or individual).
Q1-Visa
For family reunion, the following documents are required:
(1) An invitation letter provided by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit to live in China. The invitation letter should contain:
a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);
b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, intended arrival date, intended place(s) to stay, intended duration of stay, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
c) Information of the inviting party (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, signature of individual).
(2) Photocopy of Chinese IDs or foreign passports and permanent residence permits provided by the inviting party.
(3)Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicants and inviting party .
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
For foster care, the following documents are required:
(1) Original and photocopy of the natural parents' or guardians' passports, as well as the notarized and authenticated certification showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children.
(2) Foster entrusted notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China;
(3) A letter agreeing to foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and photocopy of the ID of the trustee.
(4) A photocopy of the residence certificate indicating the parent(s) resided abroad when the child was born, providing that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of a Q1-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.
Q2-Visa
(1) An invitation letter provided by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit. The invitation letter should contain:
a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc);
b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviter, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
c) Information of the inviting parties (incl. name, contact number, address, signature of individual).
(2) Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit provided by the inviting parties.
X1-Visa
(1) Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China;
(2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202) issued by Chinese relevant authorities.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of a X1-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.
X2-Visa
Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.
Z-Visa
Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by Chinese relevant units, as well as one of the following approval documents:
(1) Alien Employment License of the People's Republic of China issued by the Chinese government authority for Human Resources and Social Security;
(2) Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts;
(3) Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;
(4) Registration certificate of the resident representative office of foreign (regional) enterprises issued by related administrative department of industry and commerce；
(5) An approval document for commercial performance issued by Chinese government authority for Cultural Affairs (only applicable to applicants for commercial performances in mainland China).
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of a Z-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.
C-Visa
A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant unit in China
J1-Visa
An official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works
Applicants must contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General or the relevant press authorities in China in advance and complete relevant approval formalities.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of a J1-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.
J2-Visa
An official authorization letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.
Applicants must contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in their country of residence, or the relevant press authorities in China in advance and complete the required approval formalities.
S1-Visa
Applicants who are going to visit their relatives residing in China and intend to stay for more than 180 days need to provide:
(1) A photocopy of the inviting party's passport and residence permit.
(2) An Invitation letter that contains:
a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc);
b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, intended arrival date, intended place(s) to stay, intended duration of stay, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
c) Information of the inviting parties (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, signature of individual).
(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting parties.
"Relatives" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents in law.
Accompanying family members applying together with applicants of Z-Visa or X1-Visa need to provide:
(1) A photocopy of the application documents of Z-Visa or X1-Visa.
(2) Original and photocopy of notarized and authenticated certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting parties.
"Relatives" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents in law.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of a S1-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.
S2-Visa
For visiting relatives for up to 180 days, the following documents are required:
(1) A photocopy of the inviting party's passport and residence permit.
(2) An invitation letter. It should contain:
a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc);
b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
c) Information of the inviting parties (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, signature of individual).
(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting parties.
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
For private affairs, documentation identifying their nature should be provided.
We kindly remind you that:
The aforementioned family members include spouses, parents, children aged less than 18 years and parents-in-law.
R-Visa
Relevant certificate documents provided by high-level qualified personnel with special skills meeting the requirements of China's relevant departments and urgently needed by China.
G-Visa
An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region.
D-Visa
The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Alien Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of a D-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.
3.Special Notes
(1)The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter. An issuer of invitation letter who is an individual in China should also provide a photocopy of his/her Chinese ID.
(2)If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.
(3)The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.