Visa D: issued to aliens who are to reside permanently in China. A permanent residence confirmation form shall be required for the application of Visa D. The applicant shall apply to obtain this form himself or through his designated relatives in China from the exit-and-entry department of the public security bureau in the city or county where he applies to reside.
Visa Z: Issued to aliens who are to take up posts or employment in China, and to their accompanying family members. To apply for a Visa Z, an Employment License of the People's Republic of China for Foreigners (which could be obtained by the employer in China from the provincial or municipal labor authorities) and a visa notification letter/telegram issued by an authorized organization or company are required.
Visa X: Issued to aliens who come to China for study, advanced studies or job-training for a period of six months or more. To apply for a Visa X, certificates from the receiving unit and the competent authority concerned are required, i.e., Application Form for Overseas Students to China (JW201 Form or JW202 Form), Admission Notice and Physical Examination Record for Foreigners.
Visa F: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China on a visit, on a study or lecture, business tour, for scientific-technological and cultural exchanges, for short-term refresher course or for job-training. You may apply for a Single Entry (valid for 1-3-6 months) , Double Entry (valid for 6 months) , Multiple Entry (valid for 6 months or 12 months) "F" Visa as needed.
You may apply for a Multiple Entry "F" Visa valid for 24 months, if
- you submit documents which certify you have made an investment in China, or have established a collaboration with a Chinese company, e.g. business license, contracts, a letter of appointment, etc.;
- you have visited China at least twice with the "F" visa within the past 12 months , or have been issued a multi-entry "F" visa, and shall submit a copy of the visa(s);
To apply for a Visa F, the invitation letter from the inviting unit or the visa notification letter/telegram from the authorized unit is required.
Visa L: Issued to aliens who come to China for sightseeing, visiting relatives or other private purposes. For a tourist applicant, in principle he shall evidence his financial capability of covering the travelling expenses in China, and when necessary, provide the air, train or ship tickets to the heading country/region after leaving China. For the applicants who come to China to visit relatives, some are required to provide invitation letters from their relatives in China.
You may apply for a Single Entry (valid for 1-3-6 months) , Double Entry (valid for 6 months) , Multiple Entry (valid for 6 months or 12 months) "L" Visa as needed.
Visa G: Issued to aliens who transit through China. The applicants are required to show valid visas and on-going tickets to the heading countries/regions.
Visa C: Issued to train attendants, air crewmembers and seamen operating international services, and to their accompanying family members. To apply for a visa C, relevant documents are required to be provided in accordance with bilateral agreements or regulations of the Chinese side.
Visa J-1: Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.
Visa J-2: Issued to foreign correspondents who make short trip to China on reporting tasks. The applicants for J-1 and J-2 visas are required to provide a certificate issued by the competent Chinese authorities.
Tourist group visa: Visa is the one that issued to a tourist group organized by the travel agency which comprises at least five (5) members who must travel together both in and out of China. Visa is evidenced on the Group Tourist Form instead of on the individual passport.
Documents to be included with application:
1. Visa Notification from any head office of the China Travel Service (CTS), China International Travel Service(CITS), or China Youth Travel Service (CYTS), or Chinese National Tourist Bureau, or any Chinese provincial Tourist Bureau.
2. Completed Tourist Group Visa Form in triplicate. If there is any blank left on the name list, draw a straight line from the left corner down to the right corner in blue or black ink.
3. Original passports which have been arranged in an order which is consistent with that appearing on the Group Tourist Visa Form.
Usually, the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. The duration of stay of a "F,L" visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. The visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay in China for more than 30 days. For "G" visa is 7-10 days duration.
Visa fee:
Single Entry(L,F,G) or all(X,Z) - $50(USA), $30(other countries),
Double Entry(L,F,G) - $75(USA), $45(other countries),
Multiple Entry for 6 Months(L,F) - $100(USA), $60(other countries),
Multiple Entry for 12 or 24 Months - $150(USA), $90(other countries),
Tourist group visa(per person) - $40(USA), $24(other countries).
The regular processing time is 3-4 working days. For express service, additional fees of $30($15 for Tourist group visa) for 1 working day processing.
Border check point