Brief Introduction to People's Republic of China Visa & How to Apply for Such Visa

Brief Introduction to People's Republic of China Visa & How to Apply for Such Visa

The People's Republic of China Visa is an official authorization permitting foreigners to enter into, exit or transit the People’s Republic of China. According to foreigners’ identities, purposes of visiting China, and passport types, China’s visa authorities issue them a diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, official visa, or ordinary visa. The following is an introduction to ordinary visa and how to apply for an ordinary visa.

For ordinary visa, there are eight categories, represented by eight Chinese pinyin letters, D, Z, X, F, L, G, C, J-1, and J-2, as visa code.D Visa: Issued to foreigners who are going to settle down in China; applicant must hold a Form for Confirmation of Settlement Identity, which can be obtained from the Entry & Exit Management Department of Public Security Bureau of the city, county where applicant is to settle down by the applicant or his/her Chinese relatives committed.

Z Visa: Issued to foreigners who are to take up a position or work in China and their accompanying family members; applicant must provide a Permit for Foreigner’s Employment in China (Employer applies to provincial and municipal labor departments for obtaining such permit) and the employer’s visa notice. 

X Visa: Issued to foreigners who come to China for study or advanced studies, or internships for a period of more than six months. Applicant must provide employer/school or competent authority’s certificates, i.e. Application for Foreign Students Studying in China (Form JW201 or JW202), Admission Notice, and Foreigner Physical Examination Records. 

F Visa: Issued to foreigners who are invited to China for a visit, research, lecture, business, scientific and cultural exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internships for a period of less than six months. Applicant must provide inviter’s Letter of Invitation or the authorized company’s visa notice. 

L Visa: Issued to those who enter China for touring, family visiting or other private affairs; for the entry into China for touring, applicant must provide a certificate proving that he/she has enough funds. If necessary, he/she must also be required to show an air/bus/ship ticket by which he/she heads for a country (region) after leaving China. For the entry into China for visiting a relative, sometimes applicant is required to provide his/her relative’s Letter of Invitation. 

G Visa: Issued to those who transit China. Applicant must show a valid visa and round-trip ticket by which he/she heads for a country (region). 

C Visa: Issued to crew members on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and their accompanying family members. Applicant should provide relevant certificates according to the parties’ agreement or Chinese party’s regulations. 

J-1 Visa: issued to foreign journalists who are posted to China for a long period.

J-2 Visa: issued to foreign journalists who are on temporary assignment in China. J-1 & J-2 visa applicants must provide certificates of competent authority of his/her home country. 

In addition to the abovementioned application documents, applicant must answer relevant questions and handle the following procedures (unless otherwise specified in the agreement): 
Provide a valid passport or a certificate which can take the place of a passport; Fill in the Application Form and provide a recent 2-inch photo (full face without hat); and Pay visa fee. 

Visa authorities refer to embassies and consulate generals of the People’s Republic of China visa office in a foreign country, Office of the Commissioner in Hong Kong SAR, or other institutions authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreigners who need to enter China or transit China should apply for a visa to the above visa authorities. For detailed procedures please refer to the nearest visa authority.

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