• Visa D: Permanent Residence Visa
A permanent residence confirmation form is required. This can be obtained by the applicant direct or through his/her designated relatives in China from the exit and entry department of the public security bureau in the city or county in which the applicant wishes to reside.
• Visa Z: Working Visa
Foreign applicants wishing to take up employment in the PRC are required to obtain an Employment Licence from either their proposed employer in China or from the provincial or municipal labor authority. A visa notification letter or a telegram issued by an authorised organization or company as appropriate should accompany this document.
• Visa X: Students Visa
Certificates from the receiving unit and competent authority concerned are required. These comprise JW-201 or JW_202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China and a letter of admission from a Chinese University / College.
• Visa F: Visit/Business Visa
The invitation letter from the inviting unit or a visa notification letter/telegram from the authorised unit is required.
• Visa L: Tourism Visa.
In principle a tourist must be able to demonstrate the ability to finance all of his/her expenses whilst in China. It is also necessary to produce evidence of exit travel arrangements in the form of air, rail or ship tickets for the onward/return journey to the appropriate destination.
Applicants who are intending to stay with relatives in China will be required to show an invitation letter from such relatives by way of confirmation.
• Visa G: Transit Visa
When arrangements have been made to continue foreign travel applicants must be able to produce the necessary visas and/or travel permits that are required by the country to which they will travel upon leaving China.
• Visa C: Crewmember Visa
Applicants must produce relevant documents in accordance with bilateral agreements or regulations stipulated on the Chinese side.
• Visa J-1 and J-2: Journalist Visa
Applicants for these classes of visa are required to produce a certificate issued by the competent Chinese authorities.
Besides providing the above-mentioned documents, an applicant is also required to answer relevant questions and go through the following formalities (with the exception of those stipulated otherwise by agreements):
Providing valid passport or a travel document in lieu of the passport
Filling out a visa application form, and providing a recent 2-inch, bareheaded and full-faced passport photo.
General Notes:
It is vital that you have the necessary documents with you when you travel to China otherwise entry will be denied.
Fees for Visas can vary from one country to another but details can be obtained from the web site of the Chinese Embassy in your country.
Overseas 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 authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
All foreigners intending to enter into, exit from or transit through Chinese Territory must have a valid visa. For further information please consult your nearest China Visa authorities.
Visa validity: A single or double entry visa is normally valid for three months form the date of issue. Multi-entry visas can be valid for either six months, one year, or two to five years.
Duration of stay/number of entries: Duration may vary and it is possible to extend the period of your stay when appropriate. It should be noted that entry into China from Hong Kong or Macao is subject to a special permit.