Guide to Applying for a Chinese Visa
Choose the Appropriate Visa Based on Your Main Purpose of Traveling to China
Visa Types and Applicant Scope
| Visa Type | Applicant Scope |
|---|---|
| C | Crew members of international trains, international aviation crew, crew members on international ships, their accompanying family members, and drivers engaged in international road transport. |
| D | Individuals applying for permanent residence in China. |
| F | Individuals visiting China for exchange, visit, investigation, or other similar activities. |
| G | Individuals transiting through China. |
| J1 | Foreign correspondents with a long-term stay (over 180 days) in China for news organizations. |
| J2 | Foreign correspondents visiting China for short-term (less than 180 days) interviews or reports. |
| L | Tourists visiting China for leisure. |
| M | Individuals visiting China for business or trade activities. |
| Q1 | Family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents coming to China for family reunification (including spouses, parents, children, children’s spouses, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and parents-in-law). Also for those seeking residence in China for foster care. |
| Q2 | Family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents visiting China for short-term (up to 180 days) family visits. |
| R | Foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized professionals required by China. |
| S1 | Family members of foreigners working or studying in China who need to stay long-term (over 180 days) in China due to family reasons. |
| S2 | Family members of foreigners staying in China for work, study, or other personal reasons who need to stay short-term (up to 180 days) in China. |
| X1 | Individuals coming to China for long-term (over 180 days) study. |
| X2 | Individuals coming to China for short-term (less than 180 days) study. |
| Z | Individuals coming to China for employment. |
Required Materials for Visa Application
1. Basic Application Materials
- Passport: A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining and at least one blank visa page. Include a photocopy of the passport’s information page.
- Visa Application Form and Photo: A completed visa application form and one recent passport-sized, color photo (light background, no hat or glasses).
- Proof of Legal Stay or Residence (if applying from a country other than your nationality): If you are not applying from your country of nationality, provide proof of legal stay, work, or study in the country where you are applying (e.g., residence permit, visa).
- Previous Chinese Passport or Visa (for former Chinese citizens): If you have held Chinese nationality before and now hold foreign nationality, provide your original Chinese passport and photocopy of its data page. If you have previously held a Chinese visa, provide the previous visa page from your old passport (if the names in your new and old passports differ, submit a document verifying the name change).
2. Additional Supporting Materials for Specific Visas
| Visa Type | Required Supporting Documents |
|---|---|
| C Visa | Guarantee letter from a foreign transportation company or an invitation letter from a relevant organization in China. |
| D Visa | Permanent Resident Confirmation Letter issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China. |
| F Visa | Invitation letter from a Chinese organization or individual. The letter must include: (1) Personal information of the invitee; (2) Purpose of the visit, dates, locations, and relationship with the inviter; (3) Inviter’s contact information and official seal/signature. |
| G Visa | Confirmed travel itinerary with tickets (flight, train, or bus) indicating your transit through China. |
| J1 Visa | Visa notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter from the media organization for foreign correspondents. |
| J2 Visa | Visa notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other relevant organizations, along with an official letter from the media organization for foreign correspondents. |
| L Visa | Round-trip tickets and hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a Chinese organization or individual. |
| M Visa | Business invitation letter or trade fair invitation from a Chinese organization. The invitation must include: (1) Personal information of the invitee; (2) Purpose of the visit, dates, locations, and relationship with the inviter; (3) Inviter’s contact information and official seal/signature. |
| Q1 Visa | For family reunification: (1) Invitation letter from the Chinese citizen or permanent resident; (2) Proof of family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate); (3) Copy of the inviter’s Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent resident certificate. For foster care: (1) Notarized foster care agreement; (2) Proof of family relationship between the applicant and the child. |
| Q2 Visa | For short-term family visits: (1) Invitation letter from the Chinese citizen or permanent resident; (2) Proof of family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate); (3) Copy of the inviter’s Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent resident certificate. |
| R Visa | Proof of qualifications as a high-level talent or urgently needed specialized professional as required by Chinese authorities. |
| S1 Visa | Invitation letter from a foreigner’s family member residing in China, with proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, or notarized proof of kinship). |
| S2 Visa | Invitation letter from a foreigner’s family member residing in China, with proof of relationship, or documentation for personal matters as required by the consular officer. |
| X1 Visa | Admission letter from a Chinese educational institution, along with the JW201 or JW202 form. |
| X2 Visa | Admission letter from a Chinese educational institution. |
| Z Visa | Employment permit issued by China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security or other relevant government departments. |
Important Notes
- Invitation Letter: The invitation letter can be in the form of a fax, photocopy, or printed copy. However, the consular officer may request the original invitation letter.
- Additional Documents: The consular officer may request additional documents or an interview based on the applicant’s specific case.
- Visa Issuance: The consular officer will determine whether to issue the visa, its validity period, and number of entries based on the applicant’s specific situation.
- For More Details: Please consult the website of the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate for further information.
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