Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a diplomatic, courtesy, service or ordinary visa to a foreigner according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type.
The first thing you need to organize for making your move to China is to get a visa. Unless you only need a tourist visa, you should leave plenty of time for gathering all the documents you require. Two months is a safe bet, although the process can take longer.
Typically the Chinese embassy will take a week to process your visa application providing all documents are satisfactory and there are no further questions. However be aware that Chinese visas are only valid for entry within 3 months of their issue date, therefore although it is necessary to leave sufficient time to obtain your visa it is also important not to get your visa too far in advance either.
Types of Visas
Chinese visas are classified according to the purpose of your stay in China For a long-term stay in China, you need documentation from an organization, which is necessary to prove to authorities that you will not be staying in China longer than your visa allows.
L – Luxing (Travel): L visas are tourist visas that typically allow you to stay in the country for 30 days, although longer requests may be granted. You can also get a multiple-entry L visa, but this is more difficult to obtain.
F – Fangwen (Visit): F visas are for short-term studies or business visits. To obtain an F visa, you need an invitation from a Chinese institution or host company. Most F visas are only valid for stays up to 6 months, however there are also longer-running F visas and multiple-entry F visas available.
Z – renZhi (Job/Post): Z visas are issued to those who come to China for employment. To obtain a Z visa, you need a letter of invitation from your employer and a work permit or foreign expert licence obtained by the company you will be working for.
X – liuXue (Long-term study): X visas are issued to long-term students and interns staying in China for more than 6 months. They require an enrolment letter and an application form from a Chinese school or a Chinese company.
D – Dingju (Residence): D visas are residence visas for stays of up to 10 years and are issued to those expecting to permanently reside in China. D visas are extremely difficult to obtain and are normally only rewarded to those who have already lived in China for some time and have made significant contributions to the country. To obtain a D visa, you must first get a permit from a local government in China. You will also have to submit a considerable amount of paperwork and amongst it a physical exam certificate.
J – Jizhe (Reporter): J visas are issued to foreign journalists and are available in short-term (J-2) and long term (J-1) versions. They require a letter from both an employer and from the Foreign Affairs Office. Engaging in any journalistic activities without a J visa may result in being sent to prison.
G – (Transfer): G visas are transfer visas and only allow you to pass through a Chinese airport on your route to another country.
Applying for a Student Visa (category X and F)
Visa applications must be submitted to your nearest local Chinese embassy or consulate. You will need some or all of the following documentation for your visa application:
1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page: Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it.
2. Application form: One completed Visa Application Form (Q1)
3. Photo: one recent photo of 2*2 square inch (black and white or color is acceptable) glued or stapled on the application form.
4. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport or the photocopy of the information page of the passport. Applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new US passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old US passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.
5. The original and photocopy of the approved Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW201 or JW202) issued by relevant Chinese government unit, and the admission notice from the Chinese school.
6. If studying for more than one year, a physical examination form is required.
The exact documentation depends on your nationality; check beforehand what you need as exact requirements are subject to constant change. Besides your documents, you will also have to pay a fee for your visa application, which will be dependent on the type of visa you apply for.
The overseas Chinese visa authorities are Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, the consular department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR, and other agencies abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
Click here for complete list of Chinese embassies around world.
Visa Renewal
1. To renew a visa, you have to have a valid unexpired visa in hand. Otherwise, you would not be renewing for a visa, but instead applying for a visa. If granted in Shanghai, a tourist (L) visa can only be renewed twice for 30 days each, allowing you 90 days in the country total. If granted in the U.S., it is possible to get a 60 days renewal, while some countries do not allow the renewal of Chinese visas. Please contact your local embassy or consulate to find out for sure.
2. To renew a China visa, you will need your passport, 1 photo sized photo, and the a photocopy of the pink registration you got at the police station when you entered China. At the office, be prepared to wait several hours.
3. Be prepared to wait 3 to 7 days for the processing of your renewal. In China, this may entail making travel accommodation to, from, and in Hong Kong or Shanghai. The wait at pick-up should not be as long--most likely 30 minutes to an hour. At the Shanghai office, there is the option of picking up the visa in person or having it delivered to your home or office for a fee.
4. If renewing in Hong Kong or Shanghai, when bring your renewal forms to the offices, also bring an extra photo. With this, they will provide an official temporary passport for traveling the week without your passport.