Chinese Visa Application Guide: Types, Required Documents & Application Process for Foreigners

Guidelines for Applying for a Visa to the People's Republic of China

Please select and apply for the corresponding type of visa based on your main purpose of traveling to China.

Visa Types and Applicant Scopes

Application Materials Required

I. Basic Application Materials

1. 1. Passport: Original passport with a validity period of more than 6 months and blank visa pages, plus 1 copy of the passport photo page.
2. 2. Visa Application Form and Photo: 1 completed "Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China" with 1 recent, front-facing, color (light background), bareheaded passport photo affixed to it.
3. 3. Valid Proof of Legal Stay or Residence (for applicants applying for a visa outside their country of nationality): If you are applying for a visa outside your country of nationality, you must provide the original and a copy of a valid certificate of legal stay, residence, work, or study in the country where you are applying, or a valid visa.
4. 4. Original Chinese Passport or Previous Chinese Visa (for persons who once held Chinese nationality and later acquired foreign nationality): If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you must provide the original Chinese passport and 1 copy of the passport photo page; if you have previously obtained a Chinese visa and are applying for a new visa with a newly issued foreign passport, you must provide a copy of the photo page of the previous foreign passport and the previously obtained Chinese visa (if the name recorded in the new passport is inconsistent with that in the previous passport, you must also provide an official document certifying the name change).

II. Other Supporting Application Materials

C Visa

A guarantee letter issued by a foreign transportation company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant unit in China.

D Visa

Original and copy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners' Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.

Note:

Within 30 days of entering China, the visa holder must apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration authority of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they intend to reside.

F Visa

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

1. 5. Personal information of the invitee: Name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
2. 6. Visit information of the invitee: Purpose of coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting unit or inviter, source of funds, etc.;
3. 7. Information of the inviting unit or inviter: Name of the inviting unit or inviter, contact phone number, address, official seal of the unit, signature of the legal representative or inviter, etc.

G Visa

Confirmed onward air (train/ship) ticket with fixed date and seat to the destination country or region.

J1 Visa

A visa notification letter issued by the Department of Press and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media where the journalist is employed.

Applicants should first contact the Press Section of the Chinese embassy or consulate to complete the relevant procedures.

Note:

Within 30 days of entering China, the visa holder must apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration authority of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they intend to reside.

J2 Visa

A visa notification letter issued by the Department of Press and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or a relevant unit, and an official letter issued by the media where the journalist is employed.

Applicants should first contact the Press Section of the Chinese embassy or consulate to complete the relevant procedures.

L Visa

Travel documents such as round-trip air ticket booking and hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by a unit or individual in China. The invitation letter must include the following content:

1. 8. Personal information of the invitee: Name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
2. 9. Travel arrangement information of the invitee: Date of arrival and departure, tourist destinations, etc.;
3. 10. Information of the inviting unit or inviter: Name of the inviting unit or inviter, contact phone number, address, official seal of the unit, signature of the legal representative or inviter, etc.

M Visa

Business activity documents issued by a trade cooperation partner in China, invitation letters for economic and trade fairs, or other similar invitation letters. The invitation letter must include the following content:

1. 11. Personal information of the invitee: Name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
2. 12. Visit information of the invitee: Purpose of coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting unit or inviter, source of funds, etc.;
3. 13. Information of the inviting unit or inviter: Name of the inviting unit or inviter, contact phone number, address, official seal of the unit, signature of the legal representative or inviter, etc.

Q1 Visa

For family reunion purposes, the following materials must be provided:

1. 14. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with permanent residence status in China. The invitation letter must include the following content:
   • Personal information of the invitee: Name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
   • Visit information of the invitee: Purpose of coming to China, intended date of arrival, intended place of residence, intended duration of residence, relationship with the inviter, source of funds, etc.;
   • Information of the inviter: Name, contact phone number, address, signature of the inviter, etc.
2. 15. A copy of the inviter's Chinese ID card, or a copy of the inviter's foreign passport and permanent residence permit;
3. 16. Original and copy of the proof of family relationship (spouse, parents, children, children's spouses, siblings, grandparents, maternal grandparents, grandchildren, maternal grandchildren, and parents of spouse) between the applicant and the inviter (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, family relationship certificate issued by a public security station, or notarized family relationship certificate).

For foster care purposes, the following materials must be provided:

1. 17. A foster care power of attorney notarized by a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, or a foster care power of attorney notarized and authenticated by the country of residence or China;
2. 18. Original and copy of the applicant's passport, and proof of the relationship between the applicant and the fostered child (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, family relationship certificate issued by a public security station, or notarized family relationship certificate);
3. 19. A letter of consent to accept foster care issued by the trustee receiving the fostered child and a copy of the trustee's ID card;
4. 20. If either or both parents of the fostered child are Chinese citizens, a copy of the proof of the Chinese parents' residence abroad at the time of the child's birth must also be provided.

Note:

Within 30 days of entering China, the visa holder must apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration authority of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they intend to reside.

Q2 Visa

1. 21. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreign citizen with permanent residence status in China. The invitation letter must include the following content:
   • Personal information of the invitee: Name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
   • Visit information of the invitee: Purpose of coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviter, source of funds, etc.;
   • Information of the inviter: Name, contact phone number, address, signature of the inviter, etc.
2. 22. A copy of the inviter's Chinese ID card, or a copy of the inviter's foreign passport and permanent residence permit.

R Visa

Meet the introduction criteria and requirements for foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents determined by the relevant competent departments of the Chinese government, and submit the corresponding certification materials in accordance with the relevant provisions.

S1 Visa

The following materials must be provided:

1. 23. An invitation letter issued by a foreigner residing in China. The invitation letter must include the following content:
   • Personal information of the invitee: Name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
   • Visit information of the invitee: Purpose of coming to China, intended date of arrival, intended place of residence, intended duration of residence, relationship with the inviter, source of funds, etc.;
   • Information of the inviter: Name, contact phone number, address, signature of the inviter, etc.
2. 24. A copy of the inviter's passport and residence permit;
3. 25. Original and copy of the proof of family relationship (spouse, parents, minor children under 18 years old, parents of spouse) between the applicant and the inviter (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, family relationship certificate issued by a public security station, or notarized family relationship certificate).

Note:

Within 30 days of entering China, the visa holder must apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration authority of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they intend to reside.

S2 Visa

For short-term family visits, the following materials must be provided:

1. 26. A copy of the inviter's (specifically, a foreigner staying or residing in China for work, study, or other reasons) passport and residence permit;
2. 27. An invitation letter issued by the inviter. The invitation letter must include the following content:
   • Personal information of the invitee: Name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
   • Visit information of the invitee: Purpose of coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviter, source of funds, etc.;
   • Information of the inviter: Name, contact phone number, address, signature of the inviter, etc.
3. 28. A copy of the proof of family relationship (spouse, parents, children, children's spouses, siblings, grandparents, maternal grandparents, grandchildren, maternal grandchildren, and parents of spouse) between the applicant and the inviter (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, family relationship certificate issued by a public security station, or notarized family relationship certificate).

For private affairs, relevant proof materials for private affairs must be provided as required by the consular officer.

X1 Visa

1. 29. Original and copy of the admission notice issued by the admitting unit in China;
2. 30. Original and copy of the "Visa Application Form for Foreign Students Studying in China" (Form JW201 or JW202).

Note:

Within 30 days of entering China, the visa holder must apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration authority of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they intend to reside.

X2 Visa

Original and copy of the admission notice issued by the admitting unit in China.

Z Visa

One of the following certification materials must be provided:

1. 31. The "Foreigner Employment License" issued by the competent department of human resources and social security; if the work period is not more than 90 days, the "Certificate of Short-Term Work for Foreigners in China" must also be provided, and the applicant must apply for the visa before the start date indicated in the "Certificate of Short-Term Work for Foreigners in China", and the work period shall not exceed the period specified in the said certificate;
2. 32. The "Foreign Expert Work Permit in China" or the "Notice of Foreigner Work Permit" issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs;
3. 33. The "Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of Foreign (Regional) Enterprises" issued by the competent department of industry and commerce administration;
4. 34. The approval document for commercial artistic performances issued by the competent department of culture (only applicable to applicants coming to China for commercial artistic performances) and the "Certificate of Short-Term Work for Foreigners in China"; the applicant must apply for the visa before the start date indicated in the "Certificate of Short-Term Work for Foreigners in China", and the performance period shall not exceed the period specified in the said certificate;
5. 35. The "Invitation Letter for Foreigners to Engage in Offshore Oil Operations in the People's Republic of China" issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

Note:

Within 30 days of entering China, the visa holder must apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration authority of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they intend to reside, except for visas marked "Permitted to stay for 30 days after entry".

III. Special Reminders

1. 36. The invitation letter may be a fax, copy, or printed document, but the consular officer may require the applicant to provide the original invitation letter.
2. 37. If necessary, the consular officer may, according to the specific circumstances, require the applicant to provide other certification documents or supplementary materials, or request the applicant to attend an interview.
3. 38. The consular officer will decide whether to issue the visa, as well as the validity period, stay period, and number of entries of the visa, based on the applicant's specific situation.
4. 39. For further details, please check the website of the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate abroad.

For more details, please refer to the China Visa Online Application System:

https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn/