Entry Visa

Introduction to Chinese visa and types of visa

A visa is a permission certificate issued by a government agency authorized by the laws of a country to foreigners who apply for entry, exit or transit to that country. According to international law and practices, any sovereign country has the right to independently decide whether or not to allow foreigners to enter or exit its territory, and to issue visas, refuse visa applications or revoke visas already issued based on its own laws. The visa-issuing authorities in China, in accordance with laws and relevant regulations, determine the type, frequency, validity period and duration of stay of the visa, and have the right to refuse the visa application of the party concerned or revoke the visa already issued. China’s visas are divided into diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, official visas, and ordinary visas. Among them, ordinary visas are further divided into the following categories:

Signing and issuing organization

The embassies, consulates or other foreign-based institutions entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China are responsible for issuing foreigner entry visas abroad. Foreigners who meet the relevant provisions of Article 20 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China may apply for port visas at port visa agencies authorized by the Ministry of Public Security at ports approved by the State Council to handle port visa business.

When applying for a visa, you need to prepare the following materials:

Basic application materials

(1) Passport: A valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months and blank visa pages, along with one copy of the passport photo page.

(2) Visa application form and photo: One copy of the “Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China” and one recent, front-facing, color (light background), hatless, passport photo pasted on the application form.

(3) Legally staying or residing proof (applicable to those who are not applying for a visa in their country of nationality): If you are not applying for a visa in your country of nationality, you need to provide valid proof or a copy of your valid stay, residence, work, study, etc., or a valid visa from the host country.

(4) Original Chinese passport or original Chinese visa (applicable to those who have previously held Chinese citizenship and later acquired foreign citizenship): If this is your first time applying for a Chinese visa, you need to provide the original Chinese passport and one copy of the passport photo page. If you have previously obtained a Chinese visa and are applying for a visa with a newly issued foreign passport, you need to provide the original foreign passport photo page and a copy of the previous Chinese visa (if the name on the new passport is different from the original passport, you also need to provide relevant official proof of name change).

II. Other Supporting Application Materials

F Visa:

An invitation letter issued by a relevant unit or individual in China. The invitation letter must include the following information:

(1) Personal information of the invited person: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

(2) Information about the visit: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship with the inviting unit or individual, source of funding, etc.;

(3) Information about the inviting unit or individual: name of the inviting unit or individual, contact phone number, address, official seal of the unit, signature of the legal representative or inviting individual, etc.

J1 Visa:

A visa notification letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and a letter of introduction issued by the media where the journalist works.

Applicants should contact the Information Department of the Chinese embassy or consulate beforehand to complete the relevant procedures.

Note:

The holder must apply for a residence permit at a public security organ for exit/entry administration within 30 days of entry into China.

J2 Visa:

A visa notification letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or a relevant authorized unit and a letter of introduction issued by the media where the journalist works.

Applicants should contact the Information Department of the Chinese embassy or consulate beforehand to complete the relevant procedures.

M Visa:

An invitation letter for commercial activities or an invitation letter for economic and trade transactions issued by a trade partner in China. The invitation letter must include the following information:

(1) Personal information of the invited person: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

(2) Information about the visit: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship with the inviting unit or individual, source of funding, etc.;

(3) Information about the inviting unit or individual: name of the inviting unit or individual, contact phone number, address, official seal of the unit, signature of the legal representative or inviting individual, etc.

Z Visa:

One of the following supporting materials is required:

(1) A Foreigner Employment Permit issued by the Human Resources and Social Security Department and a Letter of Invitation from an Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter;

(2) A Foreign Expert Work Permit in China issued by the Foreign Expert Bureau and a Letter of Invitation from an Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter;

(3) A Registration Certificate for Resident Representatives of Foreign (Regional) Enterprises issued by the Business Administration and a Letter of Invitation from an Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter;

(4) A permit for commercial performance issued by the Cultural Administration and a Letter of Invitation from an Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter (only applicable to applicants who come to China for commercial performances).

III. Special Notes

(1) The invitation letter can be a fax, copy or printout, but the consular officer may request the applicant to provide the original invitation letter.

(2) If necessary, the consular officer may request the applicant to provide other supporting documents or additional materials based on the situation, or require the applicant to undergo an interview.

(3) The consular officer will determine whether to issue a visa and the validity period, duration of stay and number of entries based on the applicant’s individual circumstances.

(4) For further details, please refer to the website of the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate abroad.