China Visa Applying Document & How to Apply

1. Basic Documents

(1) Valid Passport
The original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages left, and a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.

(2) Visa Application Form (Form V.2013) and Photo
One completed Visa Application Form with clean and tidy hand-writing and a recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background attached.

(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of the country where you are currently staying.

(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)
If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page. If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page. (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change.)

2. Supporting Documents

(1) C Visa

A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China.

(2) D Visa

The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status is issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.

Attention: within 30 days from the date of their entry, the holders of D Visa should apply for foreigners' residence permits to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level.

(3) F Visa

An invitation letter is issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

(4) G Visa

An onward plane (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region.

(5) J Visa

A. J1 Visa

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.

Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete relevant formalities.

Attention: within 30 days from the date of their entry, the holders of J1 Visa should apply for foreigners' residence permits to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level.

B. J2 Visa

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.

Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete the required formalities.

(6) L Visa

Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
c. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

(7) M Visa

Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

(8) Q Visa

A. Q1 Visa

For family reunion, the following documents are required:
1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain: a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)

2) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit.

3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

For foster care, the following documents are required:
1) Foster entrustment notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China

2) Original and photocopy of the consignor's passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) notarized and authenticated certification showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children.

3) A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee.

4) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, if either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.

Attention: within 30 days from the date of their entry, the holders of Q1 Visa should apply for foreigners' residence permits to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level.

B. Q2 Visa

1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.)

2) Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual

(9) R Visa

The applicant should submit relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations and requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high-level talents and individual with special skills urgently needed by China.

(10) S Visa

A. S1 Visa

1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)
c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and residence permit

3)Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.

"Immediate family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law.

Attention: within 30 days from the date of their entry, the holders of S1 Visa should apply for foreigners' residence permits to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level.

B. S2 Visa

For visiting family members for a short period, the following documents are required:
1) An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:
a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)
c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or lives in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit

3) Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer.

(11) X Visa

A. X1 Visa

1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.
2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

Attention: within 30 days from the date of their entry, the holders of D Visa should apply for foreigners' residence permits to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level.

B. X2 Visa

Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.

(12) Z-Visa

One of the following documents:
1) Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China issued by Chinese government authorities for Human Resources and Social Security, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.

2) Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.

3) Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.

4) An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs or Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Foreign Affairs Office of provincial governments of China.

5) Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation; Attention: within 30 days from the date of their entry, the holders of S1 Visa should apply for foreigners' residence permits to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level.

An official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works;
Applicants must contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General, or the relevant press authorities in China in advance and complete the required approval formalities.

3. Special Reminder

(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.

(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

(3) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

(4) For further details, please visit the website of the relevant Chinese Embassy or Consulate General.

4. How to Apply

You can come to the Chinese Embassies, Consulates and other Chinese diplomatic missions to submit application in person; if you can't come personally, you can entrust someone else, a travel agency or a visa agency to act on your behalf. No appointment is required. Applications by mailing are not acceptable and will be refused at most of Chinese embassies or consulates.

5. Processing Time

It regularly takes 4 working days for processing. For express service, additional fees of US$ 20 will be charged for second or third working day releasing. For rush service, additional fees of US$30 will be charged for the same working day releasing.

6. Visa Fees

The fees vary enormously depending on your nationality and number of entries. However, according to the Visa Fee Abolition Agreement, the nationals of following seven countries are free of the fees, but they need pay for the express service, rush service or mail service: Pakistan, Maldives, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland, Yugoslavia and Slovakia. Application by mail is not accepted by most Chinese embassies or consulates, but in countries with the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC), applicants may be able to apply by post, or submit applications based on online appointment via CVASC's website.