Who requires a visa?
Anyone entering China for longer than 48 hours requires a visa.
Anyone entering China for longer than 48 hours requires a visa.
The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to a foreigner according to his/her identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type. The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, F, X, Z, G, C, J, and D.
L Visa(as of 04/18/2002): Issued to an applicant who comes to China for tourist purposes, family visiting or other personal affairs. Visa L is characterized by a short duration of stay, usually 30 days, no more than 90 days, and could not be extended upon expiration. For a tourist applicant, in principle he shall evidence his financial capability of covering the travelling expenses in China, and when necessary, provide the air, train or ship tickets to the destination country/region after leaving China. For the applicants who come to China to visit relatives, some applicants are required to provide invitation letters from their relatives in China.
Visas for groups are not issued on the passports, but on a separate paper, which requires the group members to enter and exit the Chinese border together.
From Nov. 15th 2000, aliens traveling to Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions(SAR), in tour groups organized by travel agencies registered in the above-mentioned SARs, are exempted from visa requirements for a period of not exceeding 6 days, when entering into the following Chinese mainland cities: Guangzhong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jinangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, etc. The premise is that the traveler shall have the citizenship of a country that has diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and the traveler is carrying an ordinary passport.
F Visa: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for conference, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges or short-term studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.
X Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for the purpose of studying or intern practice for more than six months.
Z Visa: Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and his/her accompanying family members, and who is to conduct commercial performance in China.
G Visa: Issued to those who transit through China.
C Visa: Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them.
J Visa: Issued to foreign journalists. J Visa is subdivided into J-1 Visa and J-2 Visa. J-1 Visa is issued to a foreign resident correspondent in China. J-2 Visa is issued to a foreign correspondent on temporary short term news report mission in China.
D Visa: Issued to applicant who is to reside permanently in China.
A. All applicants are required to submit the following documents:
(1) A valid original passport. There must be blank visa pages in the passport. Pages for endorsements or amendments can not be used as a visa page. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months;
(2) One completed Chinese Visa Application Form signed by the applicant. Children’s application form can be signed by their parents or guardians;
(3) One recent passport photograph affixed to the visa application form. Life photos, copied photos and digital photos printed on ordinary paper are not acceptable.
(2) One completed Chinese Visa Application Form signed by the applicant. Children’s application form can be signed by their parents or guardians;
(3) One recent passport photograph affixed to the visa application form. Life photos, copied photos and digital photos printed on ordinary paper are not acceptable.
B. Additional documents:
1. L visa
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
(3)A copy of Chinese hotel booking (please note the applicants who are below 14 years old or born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) as shown in the passport are not required to provide this);
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
(3)A copy of Chinese hotel booking (please note the applicants who are below 14 years old or born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) as shown in the passport are not required to provide this);
If the applicant is going to stay at a relative or friend’s home while visiting China, and therefore unable to provide hotel booking, an invitation letter containing the inviter’s home address and telephone, and a copy of the inviter’s ID card or residence permit should be provided instead.
For applicants who are going to Tibet, an entry permit issued by Tibetan Tourist Bureau is required . (Fax number of Tibetan Tourist Bureau: 0086-891-6834632; Telephone number:0086-891-6834313)
2. F visa
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
(3)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(4)Visa Notification Form (which is issued by the relevant department of Chinese government, companies or institutions, under the authorization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Detailed information can be obtained from the Foreign Affairs Office of the relevant province, autonomous region and municipality where the inviting party resides.);
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
(3)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(4)Visa Notification Form (which is issued by the relevant department of Chinese government, companies or institutions, under the authorization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Detailed information can be obtained from the Foreign Affairs Office of the relevant province, autonomous region and municipality where the inviting party resides.);
3. X visa (for studying more than 6 months in China)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)JW-201 or JW-202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China;
(3)A letter of admission from a Chinese University/College.
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)JW-201 or JW-202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China;
(3)A letter of admission from a Chinese University/College.
4. Z visa (for long-term working)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)An employment permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security or the State Administration of Foreign Experts of China;
(3)An invitation letter from a relevant Department of Chinese Government or a government-authorized company.
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)An employment permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security or the State Administration of Foreign Experts of China;
(3)An invitation letter from a relevant Department of Chinese Government or a government-authorized company.
5. J-1 or J-2 visa (for journalism)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A letter from a relevant Department of Chinese government;
(3)A letter from the employer.
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A letter from a relevant Department of Chinese government;
(3)A letter from the employer.
6. G visa (for transit through China)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(3)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
(4)A valid visa for the country of destination.
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(3)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
(4)A valid visa for the country of destination.
NOTE 1: For applicants from some specific countries, additional documents other than those mentioned above may be required.
NOTE 2: Applicants should check the issued visa upon collection and if necessary raise any queries at the same time. If there is no immediate query relating to the issued visa, the applicant is held responsible under any circumstances thereafter.
Time required to issue visa:
The regular visa processing time is 4 working days. Express service takes 1 working day. For express service, additional fees of $15 (GBP10) per person for 1 working day processing, or $10 (GBP6) per person for 2-3 working days processing will be charged. For the same day service, the applications must be submitted before 11:00 am. The collection time for the same day service is between 11:30 am and 12:00 am on that day
The regular visa processing time is 4 working days. Express service takes 1 working day. For express service, additional fees of $15 (GBP10) per person for 1 working day processing, or $10 (GBP6) per person for 2-3 working days processing will be charged. For the same day service, the applications must be submitted before 11:00 am. The collection time for the same day service is between 11:30 am and 12:00 am on that day
| Nationality | Single entry | Double entry | Multiple Entry Visa half- year | Multiple Entry Visa one year | Multiple Entry Visa 2 Years |
| British citizens | 30 | 45 | 90 | 150 | 150 |
| American citizens | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| All other Nationalities | 20 | 30 | 40 | 55 | 55 |
*Visa fees for Romanian passport holders are: $75 (GBP50) for single or double entry, $150 (GBP95) for multiple entry.
Notice of Adjustment of Visa Fee for US Citizens:
– Visa fee for group visa will be $110 per person.
– Expedited service fees will remain unchanged.
Notice of Adjustment of Visa Fee for UK Citizens:
– Visa fee for Group (at least five people) – GBP24 per person. The express service costs GBP30.
– Visa fee for group visa will be $110 per person.
– Expedited service fees will remain unchanged.
Notice of Adjustment of Visa Fee for UK Citizens:
– Visa fee for Group (at least five people) – GBP24 per person. The express service costs GBP30.
Additional information regarding fees:
Visa fee for Hong Kong and Macao : GBP15 per person.
Group visa fee: GBP24 per person
Same day service: GBP20 per person.
Express Service (1 working day ): GBP15 per person.
Visa fee for Hong Kong and Macao : GBP15 per person.
Group visa fee: GBP24 per person
Same day service: GBP20 per person.
Express Service (1 working day ): GBP15 per person.
Accompanying person using the same passport
The photo of the accompanying person using the same passport should be affixed to the form. The full visa fee will apply.
The photo of the accompanying person using the same passport should be affixed to the form. The full visa fee will apply.
Paying the visa fee
Fees are paid on collection. No refund if the visa is turned down or cancelled.
Fees are paid on collection. No refund if the visa is turned down or cancelled.
The overseas Chinese visa authorities are Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, the consular department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR, and other agencies abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory, he shall apply to the above-mentioned Chinese visa authorities for a Chinese visa. For further information, please consult the nearest Chinese visa authorities.
A visitor ‘F’ visa is valid for up to 6 months, and is usually single-entry.
Student ‘X’ visas are valid for up to 12 months, and allow multiple-entries.
If the visa holder needs to stay longer than the duration of stay, he or she should apply for extension of duration to the local public security bureau of China in advance.
From October 1st, 2007 on, the People’s Republic of China started to use new Arrival and Departure Card designed by the Ministry of Public Security of China for foreigners at all ports of China.
The new card consists of two adjacent parts. One is for arrival and the other is for departure. A foreign passenger is obliged to fill in the arrival card. The departure card will be kept by the passenger for his/her departure from China.
There is “Important Notice” printed at the back of the new Arrival& Departure Card which gives brief instructions on matters related to the registration, travel, residence and employment of a foreign national during his/her stay in China. Losing the departure card might cause problem of exit.
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