China requires pretty much everyone entering the country to have an appropriate visa. Offered here is a summary of the various visa types and their requirements, as well as the documents you need to submit with your visa application.
As Chinese visa regulations frequently change, and can vary from country to country, it is advisable that you check with your local Chinese embassy or consulate to confirm this information and to get country-specific details.
Required Documents (all visa types)
- Passport: Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate.
- Visa Application Form & Photo: One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken color photo (bare-head, full face, size:48mm x 33mm) against a light background attached.
- Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to 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 or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of the country where you are currently staying.
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas: Applicable to foreign citizens and 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 your previous Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page. If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to 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.
Visa Type | Visa Details |
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F Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.
Additional Documents:
An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain:
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L Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist.
Additional Documents
Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter should contain:
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M Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
Additional Documents
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Q1 Visa | Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
Additional Documents
For family reunion, the following documents are required:
“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:
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Q2 Visa | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
Additional Documents:
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S1 Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Additional Documents:
“Immediate family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law. |
S2 Visa | Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is 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.
Additional Documents:
For visiting family members for a short period, the following documents are required:
“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 the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer. |
X1 Visa | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.
Additional Documents:
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X2 Visa | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.
Additional Documents:
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Z Visa | Issued to those who intend to work in China.
Additional Documents:
One of the following documents:
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Visa Type | Visa Details |
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C Visa | Issued to foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships.
Additional Documents:
A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China |
D Visa | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently.
Additional Documents:
The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China. |
G Visa | Issued to those who intend to transit through China.
Additional Documents:
An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region. |
J1 Visa | Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Additional Documents:
Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advanceor and complete relevant formalities. |
J2 Visa | Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
Additional Documents:
Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete the required formalities. |
R Visa | Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China.
Additional Documents:
The applicant should submit relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations, and meet the relevant requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high-level talents and individuals with special skills urgently needed by China. |
Special Notes
- Within 30 days of arrival in China, D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z Visa holders need to apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
- Invitation letters 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..
- If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.