E-mail: chinaembpress_us@mfa.gov.cn, Visa Section TYPE OF VISA DESCRIPTION; A-1: Foreign Diplomatic Personnel: A-2: Individuals in the U.S. as employees of a foreign government, e.g., ambassador, minister, diplomat, or consular officer. Visa applications must be made separately if the traveler wishes visit both HKSAR/Macao SAR and mainland China. No visa renewal is necessary. Above all, checking the visa exemptions to find out if you really need a visa. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. 4. L (tourist visa): Issued to an applicant who goes to China for sightseeing purposes, to visit family members or friends, or for other personal affairs. A visa becomes invalid if there are no entries left, or there are entries left but the visa validity expires. Holders of Residence Permit for Foreigners issued by PRC Ministry of Public Security. The original passport should have a validity of over 6 months, with at least two blank pages. There are 16 major types, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, M, F, Z, X1, X2, S1, S2, Q1, Q2, C, J-1, J-2, G, D, and R. The most popular types include tourist, business, study, work, crew, visitor, and … There are 12 major visa types, which are denoted by letters (see below): 1. Citizens with passport or other international travel document, confirmed interline ticket and valid visa to the third country or region (if required) of the following 51 countries, can apply to stay in the transit cities without visa for 72 hours on direct transit via the following airports: PEK, PVG, SHA, CAN, CTU,CKG, SHE, DLC, XIY,HGH,KWL,KMG. 1. G, D, Q1, Q2, S1, S2, and R. Tourist (L) Issued to aliens who are going to PRC for tourism. Different visas have different validity. A citizen of Singapore, Brunei or Japan with an ordinary passport is exempted from a visa if he/she visits China's mainland for tourism, business, or meeting with friends or relatives, and if he/she enters China through ports open to foreigners, and stays for no more than 15 days. China issues several different types of visa for various purposes. A visa is a travel document issued by authorized government agencies to foreign citizens applying to enter, exit from or transit through the host country's territory based on the host country's laws and regulations. X1-visa holders should apply for residence permits from the Public Security Entry-Exit Administration in their city of study within 30 days after entry into China. It is usually issued for up to 60 days stay per visit and multiple entry valid up to 10 years for US passport holder, while it is usually issued up to 60 days stay per visit but … A foreign citizen holding an ordinary passport issued by any country with diplomatic relations with China is exempted from a visa if he, and joins a tourist group organized by a travel agency, which is registered in, , for a visit to the Pearl River Delta region (including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing and Huizhou) and his/her stay is, A foreign citizen holding an ordinary passport issued by any of the following countries is exempted from a visa if he. their way. refers to the number of times the bearer is permitted to enter China during the validity of a visa. Washington, D.C. 20007 U.S.A. Please see the List of Agreements on Visa Exemption signed between China and foreign countries for more information. Citizens with passport or other international travel document, confirmed interline ticket and valid visa to the third country or region (if required) of the following 51, , can apply to stay in the transit cities without visa for 72 hours on direct transit via, CAN, CTU,CKG, SHE, DLC, XIY,HGH,KWL,KMG. The general visa is designed for its holder to engage in cultural activities. A certificate issued by the Resident Representative Office of Foreign Companies, and an invitation letter from a duly authorized unit or invitation confirmation letter issued by the Administration Bureau for Industry and Commerce. Chinese embassies, consulates and other institutions stationed abroad entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China are visa-issuing authorities responsible for issuance of entry visas to foreigner citizens abroad, and are entitled to determine the type, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay of a visa to be issued, or to decline a visa application or revoke an issued visa, in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. Holders of PRC Foreigner's Permanent Residence Card, 6. STUDENT VISA (X), issued to those going to China for a study program of more than six months. Diplomatic passports. Once approved, the permit holder is allowed to stay in China or enter/exit China multiple times for the duration of the validity of the permit. First, we’ll start with the tourist … Medical Check. Washington, D.C. 20008 U.S.A. Tel: +1-202-495-2266 L-Visa applicants are required to provide evidence of round-trip air ticket booking and hotel booking, or an invitation letter from a Chinese institution or individual. China Tourist visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for touring, sightseeing or visiting friends. Applicants will be eligible for a 10-year visa provided that the traveler has at least one year of remaining validity on their U.S. Passport. This visa is issued to relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners residing in China … Citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan. 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 110 she joins a tourist group (of 5 or more persons) organized by an international travel agency registered in Hainan with the approval of China National Tourism Administration to visit Hainan Province and his/her stay is no more than 15 days: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand. "Duration of Each Stay" refers to the maximum number of days the visa bearer is permitted to stay in China each time, which is calculated from the date of entry into China. A China visa is permission/proof issued by Chinese visa issuing authorities permitting foreigners entry to, exit from or transit through the country. The original letter of admission issued by an educational unit operating in the People’s Republic of China, and a copy. In accordance with international law and practice, any sovereign state is entitled to. Student (X) Issued to aliens who are going for study, furthering studies. Tel: +1-202-855-1555 +1-202-790-8746 China Visa Types There 11 different visa types that we can assist with: Tourist (L1), (S1), (S2), (Q1), (Q2) . Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America 3505 International Place, N.W. Legal stay and residence permits or visas are required for applicants who apply for China visas in countries outside their own countries. (Click for more info). A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances: A foreign citizen who is transiting through China by air is exempted from a visa if he/she will stay only in the airport for no more than 24 hours and has a valid connecting ticket with confirmed seating on an international flight. Fax: +1-202-495-2138 An Alien Employment Permit and an invitation letter from a duly authorized unit or an invitation confirmation letter issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China. A China visa is a travel authorization document usually required by China for entering its borders, which is issued by a Chinese embassy or consulate, affixed in your passport. Visiting the Pearl River Delta or Hainan Island. Unless exempt or applying for a Port Visa on arrival in China you should apply for a China visa around six weeks before travel at a Chinese embassy/consulate or Visa Application Center in your country. New Year, Visa Application Form of the PRC (People’s Republic of China), How to Plan a First Trip to China — 5 Easy Steps, China Group Tours vs Private China Tours: 7 Key Differences, Loyalty Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card. 2. When an application is needed, confirm a right visa type, validity, fees and the correct way to apply. We apply 10 years multiple entry visas for U.S/Canadian citizens. 3. A card holder who presents a valid passport whose image and. Previous Visas. Notarial documents concerning name change of a foreigner are required if the name on the foreign passport and the former Chinese passport are different. If a visa has unused entries, the bearer can enter China before 24:00 (Beijing Time) on the expiration date. 5. Otherwise an entry visa must be obtained as required by the Government of HKSAR or Macao SAR. Ordinary visas are further divided into 12 sub-types or 16 categories E-mail: visa_us@mfa.gov.cn. Washington, D.C. 20008 U.S.A. Under reciprocal agreements, holders of diplomatic, official, service, special passports or laissez-passers issued by the following jurisdictions are allowed to enter and remain in China for … Itinerary information of the applicant: arrival time, departure time, and destinations. Tourist visa categories: L,S1,S2,Q1,Q2, are issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing, friend & family visiting purposes. Citizens of Germany, Republic of Korea and Russia may join an international tourist group (of 2 or more persons) and can stay up to 21 days. Most of the time we talk about Chinese Visa, we refer to the Ordinary Visa types of mainland China, which consist of 12 sub-types - total 16 categories . There are 16 major Chinese visa types, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, M, F, Z, X1, X2, S1, S2, Q1, Q2, C, J-1, J-2, G, D, and R. Diplomatic visa and service visa must be obtained through government channel, which is not covered on this page. Based on bilateral agreements signed or reached between China and foreign countries, foreign citizens of some countries who meet certain requirements may visit China without a visa. Work (Z) Issued … whether or not to allow a foreign citizen to enter or exit from its territory, and whether to issue a visa, decline a visa application or to cancel an issued visa in accordance with its national laws. Chinese embassies, consulates and other institutions stationed abroad entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China are visa-issuing, responsible for issuance of entry visas to foreigner, the type, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay of a visa to be issued, or to decline a visa application or revoke an issued visa, in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. Visa types and application procedures: The first thing you need to organize for making your move to China is to get a visa. Most people need only to apply for a single-entry, however double or multiple entry visas would be required if you frequently travel between mainland China and Hong Kong or Macau or Taiwan on the same tour. History, Chinese , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States. It is available as either an X1 study visa, for those who wish to study in China for more than 6 months, or as an X2 study visa, for periods less than 6 months. 2. BUSINESS VISA (F), issued to those traveling to China for an official visit, business, lecturing, exchange programs, short-term studyletter. *K Visas – Listed with immigrant visas because they are for immigration related purposes. A Foreign citizen entering China on a D, Z, J1, Q1, S1 or X1 visa must apply for a residence permit at local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China. Citizens of qualified countries may be able to visit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program . A visa becomes invalid if there are no entries left, or there are entries left but the visa validity expires. China Visa Validity. F (visa for exchanges and visits): Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for an exchange, visit, study to… 4. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America The study visa is a visa type for China issued to foreign citizens who have been admitted to a Chinese university. Diplomatic or special passports. Dependent of A-1/A-2 Visa Holder: Immediate family members of foreign government officials. The letter should include the following: 1. J1 Visa is issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. Ordinary visas are further divided into 12 sub-types or 16 categories. 3. refers to the maximum number of days the visa bearer is permitted to stay in China each time, which is calculated from the date of entry into China. Foreign citizens that fall into categories of Article 22 of the Exit and Entry Law of the. (For more info, please check the airports' websites). The original Visa Application Form for Foreigners Studying in China (JW201 or JW202), and a copy. Business (M) Issued to aliens who are going to PRC for business and trade activities. Traveling with an invalid visa to China will result in refusal of entry. Visas are issued with specific type relevant to your major purpose of visit. This visa will allow you to travel as a tourist or conduct general business activities. The most popular type of Chinese visa is the 10-year Tourist Visa (paper visa) and the Group eVisa. There is also the "144-Hour Convenience Visa" or "Guangdong Convenience Visa" for entry to the Pearl River Delta area from Hong Kong and Macau. Guide, China Top In accordance with international law and practice, any sovereign state is entitled to determine whether or not to allow a foreign citizen to enter or exit from its territory, and whether to issue a visa, decline a visa application or to cancel an issued visa in accordance with its national laws. 5. Diplomatic or official passports. 1. I’ll go over the variances below, but first, here are the items that are the same no matter what kind of China visa you’re applying for. Traveling with an invalid visa to China will result in refusal of entry. For applicants coming to China solely for commercial performances: an invitation letter from a duly authorized unit or invitation confirmation letter issued by the related Foreign Affairs Department (municipal/county-level), or Documents of Commercial Art Performance issued by the relevant administrative department of culture. 3. (For more info, please check the airports' websites). Members of foreign diplomatic or consular missions in China must apply for a residence permit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or local foreign affairs departments within 30 days of entry into China. The holders of J1 just have 30 days to seek a Temporary Residence Permit for the duration of your contract to a maximum of 5 years.J2 Visa is issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. Applicants scoring 85 or more points qualify for Tier A; those scoring 60-85 class as Tier B; and those scoring below 60 fall under Tier C. A visa is a travel document issued by authorized government agencies to foreign citizens applying to enter, exit from or transit through the host country's territory based on the host country's laws and regulations. Chinese Visa includes four major types, they are Chinese Diplomatic Visa, Service Visa, Courtesy Visa and Ordinary Visa. A visa issued by China to a prospective traveler is not known as a China Visa but instead is known as a Chinese Visa. Chinese visas fall into four types: diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. 4. An invitation letter for foreigners engaged in offshore oil operations in the People's Republic of China issued by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation. The L visa is for vacation, leisure, sightseeing, visiting friends and family - for under 60 days. If a visa has unused entries, the bearer can enter China before 24:00 (Beijing Time) on the expiration date. For visit to Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR, citizens from some countries/territories are exempted from visas for short term visit. Chinese visas fall into two categories: ordinary and diplomatic visas. China Visa Types. A Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese visa authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from or transit through China. The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years. 3. Those applying for X1-visas are required to provide the following. Z-Visa applicants are required to provide one of the following sets of documents depending on the nature of their invitation. These visas are popular among US passport holders because it is not mandatory to go to the Chinese embassy anymore in order to issue them. According to foreigners' status, their purposes for coming to China and the passport type, the issuing authorities may separately issue them the diplomatic, courtesy, serviceor ordinary visa. If a visa becomes invalid, its bearer must apply for a new visa before entering China. The ordinary visa consists of several types, which are respectively marked as L, F, M, Z, X1, X2, C, J1, J2. The period … Single-entry China visas are usually valid for 3 months after the issue date, and will permit you to stay in China for a maximum of 30 days. Fax: +1-202-588-9760 This is not really a visa, more a formality for entering a less-restricted area. See Visa Exemptions for ways into China without a visa. We're a passionate team of one hundred avid travelers who love to share our knowledge Residence Permit: A holder of category D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 or Z visa must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China unless the Duration of Each Stay on the visa is marked as 30 days. If a visa becomes invalid, its bearer must apply for a new visa before entering China. diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. 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