This article is a complete guide on how to get a visa for China. First of all, I recommend that you don’t get discouraged if you still don’t know which visa is best for you, or if you still don’t understand which documents you need to get.
If you prefer to use an agency to apply for your Visa, click here to find out more about this option.
How long does it take to get a Chinese Visa?
If you have all the necessary documents and hold a passport with at least six months validity and two blank pages, it should take between two (if you apply for the express service) to four working days to get a Chinese Visa.
Note that the rush service (one business day) is only available in some countries (the US, for instance) and only for cases of extreme urgency, upon the approval of the Chinese Consular Office.
The best time to apply for a Chinese Visa is between two months and fifteen days before your departure. You can’t apply for your Visa too early because if you don’t use it, the Visa will expire after 90 days (or 180 days, in some cases), starting from the day you obtained it.
Do I need a Chinese Visa?
Yes, generally speaking, you do. However, there are several exceptions. You don’t need a Visa if:
- You are in transit in one of the cities enumerated in this article for less than 144 or 72 hours;
- You’re going from Hong Kong to Shenzhen for less than 5 days or from Macau to Zhuhai for less than 3 days;
- You’re going to Hainan with an organized tour of a minimum of five people for a maximum of 15 days;
- You hold a passport from Singapore, Brunei, or Japan and you’re staying in China for less than 15 days.
- You hold a passport from Bahamas, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Mauritius, Seychelles, Serbia, and Tonga and you’re staying in China for less than 30 days.
How much does a Chinese Visa cost?
The price varies from 30 to 140 USD depending on your nationality, the type of Visa, the country where you apply, and the number of entries.
Usually, it’s cheaper for European people, whereas American people are usually required to pay the full fee of 140 USD.
Where can I get a Chinese Visa?
In many countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, and EU countries, you must apply through the CVASC (Chinese Visa Application Service Center).
However, if in your country there is no CVASC (click on the link above to see the complete list), you shall still apply at the Chinese Consular Office that serves your province. This is also the case for people living in the USA (click here to see where you shall apply if you are a US resident).
If for some reason you don’t want to, or you can’t show up personally, you can use an agency to get your Chinese Visa. This will have a supplementary cost, but it may still be cheaper than the cost of the trip to the nearest CVASC or Chinese Consulate).
In this case, you’ll have to send your passport (and other necessary documents) to the agency and they will handle everything. To apply for a Visa service through an agency you can use the form on the right sidebar of this page.
At the moment we recommend Visa HQ, a reputable agency that charges 79 USD for its Chinese Visa service.
People that are already traveling or working in Asia may also apply in Hong Kong (at the moment, only through an agency, as applying for a visa at the consular office is only possible for Hong Kong residents). You can read our guide to getting a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong.
Keep in mind that the government may abruptly decide to restrict or change Visa requirements at any moment, just like they did in 2008 (before the Olympic Games in Beijing), 2013, and 2020 (with covid-19 pandemic). I don’t want to scare you; just be prepared to deal with the unforeseen.
In practice, you can also apply in other countries but do so at your own risk, as it’s possible/probable that your application will be rejected. It also depends on your passport: Italian and German people, for example, seem to experience much fewer problems than French and American people. It usually depends on how good (or bad) the relationship between China and your country is.
Since 2016, in some cases, it is possible to get your Chinese visa directly online.
What are the basic requirements for getting a Chinese Visa?
The basic requirements for getting any kind of Chinese Visa are the following:
- Original passport with at least six months of validity and two blank pages. Travelers with passports newly issued might be required to include their previous passports, along with their current passports;
- Copy of the passport page with your photo, and the pages that contain any past Chinese Visas that you have obtained (only applicable if you have already been to China);
- Recently-taken color passport photo (48mm x 33mm) with light background;
- Copy of previous Chinese passports (only applicable to foreign citizens who were once Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship);
- Proof of legal status in the country where you’re applying for the Visa, such as a resident permit (only applicable if you’re applying for the Visa outside your country of citizenship);
- Application Form completely filled in, printed, and signed (click here to download the application form provided by the CVASC of London and here to download the application form provided by the Chinese Consular Office in the US – if you prefer you can download a similar document on the CVASC website or from the Chinese Consular Office in the country where you’re applying for the Visa);
- Declaration printed and signed (only needed if you’re applying through the CVASC, click here to download the declartion for the CVASC of London);
- Printed copy of the appointment receipt (only applicable if you’re applying through the CVASC – you will be able to make an appointment directly on CVASC’s website).
An Invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter is only needed if you’re applying for a C Visa (unless you have a letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company), F Visa, or L Visa (unless you have proof of a hotel reservation for the whole duration of your stay in China), M Visa, Q Visa, S Visa or Z Visa. See the next section for details on the different types of Chinese Visas.
Although normally the invitation letter can be in the form of a fax, photocopy, or computer-scanned printout, in some cases, you may be required to submit an original invitation, provide other supporting documents, or schedule an interview with the consular officer. Click here to find out how to write an invitation letter and what documents must be attached to it.
Important: All the requirements listed above are necessary but insufficient for obtaining a Chinese Visa. This is because depending on the type of visa you’re applying for, you’ll have to submit some additional documents. Read the next section for the details.
Finally, note that if the applicant is a child born outside China to a Chinese parent, the Visa requirements are different. Click here to learn more about this.
Do I have to file my fingerprints to get a visa for China?
Starting from November 2019, there is an obligation to deposit your fingerprints at the CVASC Center or the Chinese Consulate at the time of the presentation of the visa application for China.
Here in cases that are exceptions, and therefore it is not necessary to present fingerprints:
- People under 14 or over 70 when applying for a visa;
- Members of official government and diplomatic delegations;
- Applicants who have deposited their fingerprints in the same location and with the same passport within the last 5 years;
- Applicants for whom depositing fingerprints is physically impossible.
What are the different types of Chinese Visas (and the additional requirements for getting them)?
Here is the complete list of Chinese Visas (after the table we list the additional required documents for each types of Visa):
| Visa Category | Description |
|---|---|
| C | Issued to foreign crew members of aircraft, trains, and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships. |
| D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. |
| F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours, and other activities. |
| G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China (Before applying for a G Visa, I suggest you to verify if you can get a 72/144 hours Visa exemption). |
| J | Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. You shall apply for a J1 Visa if you intend to stay more than 180 days and for a J2 Visa (short-term) if you intend to stay in China for less than 180 days. |
| L | Issued to those who intend to visit China as a tourist. |
| M | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. |
| Q | Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese Permanent Resident Permit and intend to go to China for a family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. |
| R | Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China. |
| S | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. |
| X | Issued to those who intend to study in China. You shall apply for an X1 Visa if you intend to stay more than 180 days and for an X2 Visa (short-term) if you intend to stay in China for less than 180 days. |
| Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China. |
Note that regardless of what you are applying for, the Chinese Consular Office reserves the right to refuse your Visa or to grant a different validity, duration of stay, and/or the number of entries for your Visa.
Below, we list the additional requirements for each type of Visa.
C Visa – Foreign crew members and their family members
The only additional requirement is a letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company, which is only needed if you don’t have an invitation letter.
D Visa – For permanent residents
The only additional requirement is the original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.
F Visa – For exchanges, visits, study tours, and other activities
The new F Visa is issued to people who come to China for non-business purposes such as educational, scientific, cultural, health or sporting reasons. Before July 2013, the F Visa was the same thing as a business Visa.
The basic requirements, including the invitation letter, should be enough in most cases.
G Visa – For transit through China
The only additional requirement is an onward plane (train or ship) ticket with a confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region.
J1 and J2 Visas – For journalists
The only additional requirements are a 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 you work.
Be aware that you should contact the press office of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete the appropriate formalities.
You should apply for a J1 Visa if you intend to stay more than 180 days, and for a J2 Visa (short-term) if you intend to stay in China for less than 180 days.
L Visa – For tourists or visits to relatives
You’re also required to provide a copy of your return trip plane ticket for China and a copy of a Chinese hotel booking for the whole duration of your stay containing the full names of all the people that are applying for the Visa.
If you intend to stay at your friend’s or relative’s house, you won’t need to book a hotel. However, your friend/relative will have to send an invitation letter to you (scroll down for more details on the invitation letter).
Sometimes, the consular office employee may even ask you for proof of your ability to financially support yourself before accepting your Visa application. Therefore, before going to the Visa office, be sure to ask via email or to call them to be sure of the documents that you need to bring.
The most common tourist Visa is the Single Entry Tourist Visa (that is, you can’t leave China and then enter again with the same Visa) which has a validity of between 30 days. The Double Entry Tourist Visa (2 entries, 30 days each), is also common.
Note that U.S. citizens (and other nationalities) may be eligible for a 10-year multiple-entry Visa. In this case, the remaining validity of your passport must be more than 12 months.
You can apply for this visa even if you don’t have an American passport but are still a resident of the United States. In this case, you’ll also have to present your “green card”. Usually, you’ll also be asked to present your old passport (expired), if you have one.
Note that, despite the visa lasting for 10 years, this doesn’t mean that you can remain in China for 10 consecutive years.
Each time you enter China, you can stay for a period between 30 and 60 days (the length of each visit can vary, the Chinese Consulate will decide). Be very careful to leave China before it expires (which can be between 30 and 60 days).
After leaving China, you can re-enter and stay for another 30 (or 60) days.
In general, the costs and time to get a 10-year visa are the same as for getting a multiple-entry visa of shorter lengths.
To conclude, at the moment you can also apply for a 10-year visa with Canadian, Australian, or United Kingdom passports as well. The conditions are similar to those for a 10-year visa with an American passport, even though the details can change (I recommend that you always verify the details with the consulate, the CVASC, or the agency you went to in order to obtain the visa.
If you are planning to go to Tibet, be aware that in addition to your Visa, you need a special entry permit issued by the Tibetan Tourist Bureau. Currently, you can only enter Tibet with a travel agency. Read more about Tibet entry permits.
M Visa – For business and trade activities
This is the business visa and it’s issued to people who come to China for business and trade activities. You are required to provide an invitation letter issued by a registered Chinese company or organization (for example, a trade fair).
Note that U.S. citizens and other nationalities may also be eligible for a 10-year multiple-entry Visa. In this case, the remaining validity of your passport must be more than 12 months.
A 10-year business visa has characteristics that are very similar to a 10-year tourist visa, which we discussed in one of the previous sections of this article. The main difference is that in this case, the maximum length for each entry can also be for 120 days (depending on the visa you get), while in the case of a tourist visa, the maximum length of stay is 60 days.
While many people use Business Visas to work in China, this is illegal. If you want to legally work in China, you need a Work Visa. For more details, you read our complete guide on Business Visas for China.
Q1 or Q2 Visa – For family reunions or foster care
The Q Visa is issued to people who intend to visit their relatives or friends in China for a period longer than 30 days (for less than 30 days you can simply apply for an L Visa).
For the Q2 Visa, which only allows you to stay for a maximum of 180 days, an invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China should be enough.
For the Q1 Visa, which is needed for stays longer than 180 days, in addition to the invitation letter, you’ll also need to provide further documentation.
For family reunion purposes, you’ll have to provide the original and copy of the certificate showing the family relationship between the applicant and the inviting individual (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certificate of kinship issued by the Public Security Bureau, or a notarized certificate of kinship). Note that “family members” refer to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters, or parents-in-law.
For foster care purposes, you’ll have to provide a large number of documents and, in my opinion, you should contact the Chinese Consular Office in your country before starting to collect the documents.
Note that many nationalities are eligible for a 10-year multiple-entry Visa. In this case, the remaining validity of your passport must be more than 12 months.
R Visa – For high-level talents
You’re required to submit relevant certifications in order to meet the requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high-level talents and individuals with special skills urgently needed by China.
The requirements, in this case, are quite vague, due to the fact that “talents” and “skills” may vary greatly.
S1 or S2 Visa – For family reunions or private affairs
The S Visa is issued to people who intend to visit their (foreign) relatives or friends in China for a period longer than 30 days (for less than 30 days you can simply apply for an L Visa). It may also be issued for “private affairs”.
For the S2 Visa, which only allows you to stay for a maximum of 180 days, in addition to an invitation letter issued by a foreign citizen with a Chinese temporary residence permit who lives in the country, you’ll have to provide the original and copy of the certificate showing the family relationship between the applicant and the inviting individual (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship). “Family members” refer to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters, or parents-in-law.
For private affairs, in addition to the invitation letter, you’ll have to provide documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs. The term “documentation” is left purposely vague, as the nature of private affairs may vary greatly.
For the S1 Visa, which allows you to stay for longer than 180 days, in addition to an invitation letter issued by a foreign citizen with a Chinese temporary residence permit who lives in the country, you’ll have to provide the original and photocopy of the certificate (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certificate of kinship issued by the Public Security Bureau or a notarized certificate of kinship) showing the immediate family relationship between the applicant and the inviting individual. “Immediate family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, or parents-in-law.
Note that depending on your nationality you may be eligible for a 10-year multiple-entry Visa. In this case, the remaining validity of your passport must be more than 12 months.
X1 or X2 Visa – For students
You are required to provide the JW201 (or JW202) form issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education (only necessary for the X1 Visa) and the notice of admission from your school. Your school should obtain these documents and send them to you.
You may also be required to provide a medical certificate, depending on the duration of your stay.
If you want to study in China for less than 180 days, you’ll have to apply for an X2 Visa. However, if you want to stay longer, you’ll need an X1 Visa.
Note depending on your nationality you may be eligible for a 5-year multiple entry X2 Visa. In this case, the remaining validity of your passport must be more than 12 months.
For more information, you can read our comprehensive guide on the Chinese Student Visa X1 and X2.
Z Visa – For working
Important: Holding a Z Visa is the only way to work legally in China.
In addition to the Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by the relevant Chinese entity, in most cases, you will have to provide a Foreigner’s Work Permit issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts.
There are some special cases in which a different document is required; however, if you have a “normal job”, such as a teacher, engineer, etcetera, the Foreigner’s Work Permit shall be enough. We still recommend that you double-check the requirements with your employer.
Since 1 April 2017, foreigners that work in China have been divided into 3 classes: Class A (high-level talents), Class B (professional personnel), and Class C (foreigners who are nontechnical or service workers hired on a temporary/seasonal basis).
There are several criteria that are used to rate the applicant: salary, education, Chinese language skills, experience, etcetera.
If you reach at least level C, then your employer can apply online for your Foreigner’s Work Permit.
Besides the basic requirements and the Foreigner’s Work Permit, in order to get the Z Visa you will also have to provide the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (in English or Chinese language);
- Original copy of bachelor (or higher degree) diploma. If the diploma has not been issued in China, then you shall also provide an authenticated copy, which can be obtained in a Chinese Consulate or Embassy in your country (or in the Embassy or Consulate of the country that released the diploma if you are already in China);
- Original reference letter from one or more non-Chinese companies that prove you have at least 2 years of full-time working experience (after graduation) in the industry you intend to work in China;
- On top of that, you may also be required to provide a medical certificate and /or a clean criminal record check issued by your country of citizenship (check the details with the CVASC or the Chinese Consular Office in your country);
However, note that, if you fall into Class A (high-level talent), then the requirements are much less strict (read this article for more details).
Be aware that not all employers can get you a Work Visa. For instance, small, private English schools often can’t. This is the main reason for which they often try to convince you to come to China and work under a Tourist or Business Visa.
Do this at your own risk because it’s illegal. If you get caught working with the wrong visa, you risk paying a fine that ranges between 5,000 and 20,000 CNY and may even end up in prison (from five to fifteen days). Afterward, you’ll be asked to leave the country or, depending on the conditions, will be deported (at your expense). If you’re deported, you won’t be able to get a new Chinese Visa for a period that ranges from one to ten years.
Having said that, many firms and public organizations (universities, for instance) are accredited to employ foreigners and can help you get a work visa as long as you qualify as a “foreign expert.”
Depending on the field, you may need to prove you have English as first language and hold a Bachelor’s Degree (if you want to teach English) or provide a Ph.D. degree (if, for instance, you want to become a university professor).
The logic behind this rule is the following: you have to prove that you are useful to China by bringing some skills and expertise that the country needs. If you can’t do anything, why should a Chinese company hire you instead of a Chinese person?
So, if your employer is accredited to employ foreigners and you qualify as a foreign expert, it can apply for your Foreigner’s Work Permit
The work Visa also allows you to bring your wife, husband, or children to China. They will only need to provide a marriage or birth certificate. However, your family members can’t legally work unless they get their own Z Visa.
What information does the invitation letter have to contain?
The invitation letter should contain:
- Information on the applicant: Full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etcetera;
- Information on the planned visit: The purpose of the visit, arrival, and departure dates, travel itinerary, the relationship between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, the source of funds for expenditures;
- Information on the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telephone number, address in China, the signature of the inviting individual or of the legal representative (if you’ve been invited by a company), and an official stamp (if you’ve been invited by a company).
An invitation letter may only be issued by a Chinese citizen, a foreign citizen with a Chinese Resident Permit who lives in China or a Chinese entity (for instance a Chinese company or trade fair).
If you’ve been invited by an individual, he/she must also attach a copy of his/her Chinese ID or a copy of his/her passport and Resident Permit (if he/she is not a Chinese citizen). Note that if you’re applying for a Q Visa, the inviting individual must be a Chinese citizen or hold a Permanent Resident permit (Temporary Resident Permits are not allowed for Q Visa application invitation letters).
In the case you’ve been invited by an individual, he/she shall also attach a copy of his/her Chinese ID or a copy of his/her passport and Resident Permit (if his/her is not a Chinese citizen). Notice that if you’re applying for a Q Visa, the inviting individual must be a Chinese citizen or hold a Permanent Resident permit (Temporary Resident Permits are not allowed, for Q Visa application invitation letters).
If you’ve been invited by a Chinese entity, the company’s business license – or other applicable documents – must be attached to the invitation letter.
Finally, if you’re applying for a Z visa, the Invitation Letter must be issued by a “Duly Authorized Unit”; in other words, your Chinese employer must have a permit to hire foreign workers.
What Visas must be converted into a Resident Permit once I enter China and how do so?
Be aware that D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, and Z Visas are only valid for 30 days starting from the day you enter China. Then you should transform them into a Temporary Resident Permit (or Permanent Resident Permit, in the case you’ve been granted a D Visa) at the PSB (Public Security Bureau Entry and Exit Administration Office). Your employer/school should help you to do so, at least in the case of Z and X1 Visas.
In order to get the Resident Permit, which must be renewed each year, you will have to provide a bunch of documents and a Health Certificate issued by China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau or HK public hospitals.
How do I read a Chinese Visa?
With respect to the image above:
- Visa Category: For instance, L Visa is a tourist Visa while Z Visa is a working Visa (see the table above for reading the explanations of each category);
- Expiration Date: You must enter China before this date or the Visa expires;
- Issue Date: This is the date on which the Visa was released. As you can see, the Visa on the photo had a validity of six months (from 29 May to 29 November);
- Full Name: Your full name;
- Date of Birth: Your date of birth;
- Number of Entries: The number of times that you can enter and exit China with the same Visa. “1” means that you have a single entry Visa; that is once you exit China the first time the Visa becomes invalid (going to Hong Kong or Macau counts as an exit); “2” means that you can enter and exit China twice before the Visa becomes invalid; “M” means that you can enter and exit China as many times as you want, as long as your Visa is still valid and you don’t overstay it (see point 7);
- Duration of Each Stay: The number of days that you can stay in China after each entry; if for instance, you have a double entry Visa with the duration of each stay equal to 30 days, you must exit China within 30 days after your first entry; afterward you can enter China a second time (you must enter before the date of expiration) and you can stay for other 30 days. Notice that for Visas that require a Resident Permit (D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, and Z Visa), the duration is often 000. This means that you have 30 days starting from the date of entry to apply for your Resident Permit; if you fail to do so, the Visa will expire;
- Place of Issue: The place where the Visa was issue;
- Passport Number: Your passport number.
Can I extend/change my Visa once I enter China?
Yes, you can require to extend or change your Visa at the PSB (Public Security Bureau Entry and Exit Administration Office) at least 7 days before the date of expiration of your Visa. However, there is no guarantee whatsoever that the PSB will accept your Visa extension or change request (they’ll decide case by case, according to your nationality, your situation, and the documents you’ll provide).
What happens if I overstay my Visa?
The law states that for illegal residence of aliens, a warning shall be given; in serious cases, a penalty of 500 CNY per day shall be imposed on an illegal residence, not to exceed a total of 10,000 CNY, or a detention period shall be between 5 and 15 days.
As usual, Chinese law is somewhat vague and it’s difficult to assess what a “serious case” is. Our suggestion is to avoid any overstay and always exit the country before the visa expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
To enter China, you must have a visa. There are however a few exceptions that you’ll find here.
In general, the answer is yes. Some agencies manage to get you the visa even without those documents, especially if you request the visa in Hong Kong, but the situation is evaluated on an individual basis.
If you have all the necessary documents, from 2 to 4 business days.
No, the only way to be able to work legally in China is by getting a work visa (Z visa) and change it into a residence permit within 30 days of entering the country.
The length depends on the type of visa you’ve been issued. Click here to learn how to read a Chinese visa.
Photo Credits: 
2003-14 by Jon Evans
Chinese Visa Application Service Center by playability_de
Travel paperwork for China by Kai Hendry
Hi,
I am staying in shenzhen on Q1 visa at the moment but now i have got an offer from a company work as an international trader for them. My question is how can i transfer my Q1 visa to Z visa? As i have got 2 years residence permit and i have my wife and kids and both of them are chinese by nationality and we are living in china. Do i need to go back to my country to get the Z visa ?
Fahan
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
It’s not easy,
but you may get it without going back to your country as somebody did it last summer (see comments on this thread). I believe it will depend on a) your nationality b) the relationship between your firm and the local immigration officiers.
hey – do you know what checks are done for the visa – i.e. do they contact your employer?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
As long as you have all the right documents, I don’t think so.
I will like to apply for a buisness visa, is it possible for me to get a one year visa? Can i keep this visa till when i have the oppourtunity of travelling to China, say April 2018. Thank you for your response.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Visa expires. In my opinion, it’s too soon to apply for the visa, if you plan to travel on April. A year visa can be obtained, it depends on your situation, travel history etc.
Hi,
I am leaving China on the 27th August as my L visa expires on the 30th August. I am going to Italy. I have an Irish passport. Can I can a Chinese visa while in Italy to come back to China or does it have to be the country that issued my passport – Ireland?
Theoretically you should go where your residence is, said that, it is possible that having a EU passport they may allow you to apply in an other EU country but it’s difficult.
Hello :)
I would like to ask which visa do I apply if I am going to China to do an internship (where my home university has sent me) in Beijing.
I need something that does not take time since I should be traveling in 2 weeks.
First they told me i needed JW202, but then since im not applying to “study”; im applying for an internship (for 6 months). Now, i got informed i need a government invitation ?? I have requested it from the hosting company, but I am not sure I understood which form this is. How long does it take for the hosting company to obtain such a document?
Thank you in advance.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi,
it depends on the company and on its relationship with the local government. I don’t think 2 weeks is enough time. Also, if you do a M visa instead of a Z visa a letter of invitation from the company may be enough. You shall ask them.
Hi Furio,
I would like to seek for your advice. Soon I’ll have to leave China due to the expiration of the extention of my L visa (L type 60 days + extention of L 30 days = 90 days) and leave my wife alone. We tried to do dependency visa but due to unknown reasons her eymployer is not supportive.
So, I am planning to go to HK… but there is a question:
What type of visa I can apply for that will grant me another month or so and will be surely given? The reason I need this particular number is because I am expecting a job that offeres Z visa.
P.S. Could you attach the list of docs for the particular types of visa you might suggest?
Thank you so much!
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, in my opinion you shall go for a S visa: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/chinese-visitor-visa/ as they will probably refuse a L VISA to you (you got too many).
We have all the documentation to apply for our z visa, but we need a health screening. The form says to go to a public hospital, but public hospitals we contacted don’t know anything about it. Any advice from someone who has been through the process? Thanks in advance!
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, are you still in your country or already in China? If this is the screening BEFORE applying for the VISA then you need blood examinations (in order to exclude sickness such as AIDS, Hepatitis and so on) and Chest X-Ray (in order to exclude tuberculosis). You shall also go to your doctor and get a general screening: basically he shall visit you and sign a document (you can download it from the website of the Chinese Consular Office in your country)
There’s a form that you need for this. In theory, China should accept it, but in reality they will complain about something like the photo not being stamped across with the hospital’s seal or something like that. The hospitals here don’t know what’s needed, but after paying maybe $300 here and a week of running around in the US to get all the X-rays, blood tests, doctor’s checkup and signature, and you arrive in China, they will look at it and say you need to do it over for whatever excuse. They’ll run you through an assembly-line like setup where they test your eyes, take a small vile of blood instead of the 5 separate vials that were required in the US for the same thing, etc. The one thing you want to bring is the actual physical X-ray films because then they won’t make you re-do the X-rays. The x-ray films have a date code on them that they will look at. Don’t tamper with it, and you’ll be fine. In the end, in China everything but the X-ray will cost about $30 USD and be done in an hour.
Ciao Furio, scusa se scrivo qui in Italiano. Devo mandare in cina gli esami medici per ottenere la license che mi permetterà di fare application per la VISA Z.
Potresti girarmi il link per scaricare il documento da far firmare al mio medico per il general screening? Non riesco a trovarlo da nessuna parte.
Ho chiesto la prescrizione per rx torace, ECG e per le analisi del sangue al mio medico. Oltre all’HIV e la tubercolina quali altri esami del sangue devo sostenere?
Grazie e complimenti per il blog,
Guglielmo
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Ciao Guglielmo, contatta il CVASC, non sono sicuro che tali moduli siano ancora online!
I visited China on “M” category visa for two times,unfortunately i need to extend my stay to 26 days for two times.
Now i applied for Multiple entry visa from Chinese embassy-New Delhi (India),three times they have rejected stating that “Can not confirm purpose of visiting China”.I want to know when i again should apply, is there any time frame to resubmit the visa application,if i again submit whether they will accept or reject?
Please help.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, we can’t know this.
Hi,
I would like to ask something…
So I will move to Shanghai for work soon as an IT Engineer and just wondering if I could also teach english as a sideline?
Since im from the philippines, english is our 2nd language and i also have a minor on it and also taught english language to japanese people before.
Any idea if it is legal to do that? even private tutoring?
Thanks!
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, I don’t think that’s 100% legal because you’re getting your resident permit as an engineer. It may be possible but in order to do it LEGALLY you shall discuss with an accountant (cause you’ll have to declare your income and pay taxes).
I am applying for a Z Visa through the Chinese embassy in Bangkok, however I will have to fly to China from South Africa. Is there any rule which prohibits applying for a Visa in one country but showing a flight to China from a different country?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, I’ve never heard about such a rule!
Hello I hold an X student visa issued in Kunming City in Yunnan Province (will expire on July 2014).
I just got married to a chinese citizen in Wenzhou. Now I would like to know if I can change my Current X visa to Q Visa in Wenzhou ? Or do I need to cancel my X visa and get an L tourist visa first in Kunming then go to Wenzhou change it to a Q one ?
From what I understand is that if I want to apply while I am in China I can only get the Q2 visa and if I want the Q1 visa I will need to apply from my home country is that right ?
Thank you.
Hi Tim it seems that if you want to obtain the resident permit as a relative of Chinese citizen, you should enter china with a Q1 visa first. I’ll suggest you to ask an visa agency in HK if they can get you the Q1 visa. You’ll find the contact details of one of the best agencies in HK in our post about get a visa in HK.
Hi Tim, I have the same experience. Just go to Exit and Entry Administration Bureau in Wenzhou and apply for a Q visa, just make sure you have all the requirements needed. The officers will advise you when to apply for a Q visa (since your current visa will expire on July 2014) and they will be the one to decide whether to give you a Q1 or Q2 (but they usually issue Q1 for spouse of Chinese nationals) so you need not go back to your home country.
I did the same thing this month. I got married in Xi’an last March 2014 and my visa expired April 12. The officer advised me to apply for a Q visa on April 9. My husband and I was interviewed a week after that. Then they issued me a Q1 and I was able to picked it up yesterday.
Hope you are doing great mate. you have mentioned the great information.
i am having the same problem. i’m pakistani and i am holding the student visa and seeking for Q1. i am married here and my wife is Chinese. my visa will expire in September but i want to switch it from now. For this my wife called the local PSB and they said that i have to exit the country.i really don’t know what to do.
Another i was planning to go to Malaysia to get my visa from there as it’s cheap to fly there. but after contacting the Chinese embassy in KL. their reply was that Non-Malaysian citizens who don’t hold long term Malaysian visa student or working cannot apply for chinese visa from here.
can we apply from any country or just the home country?
My email is ([email protected]) please contact me if you wanna give me some advice and help me out.
Hi Furio
do you know,if is possible to get a new visa ,after been deported.
I overstay 46 days ,I pay the fine and get the 10 days visa to out china.
Many agents offer me one year visa very high price USD 2000 or 4000.
I want to do the right thing after deal with the police and been interview for not friedly chinese.
nobody will want more problems.
Hope you can give me some suggestions.
P.S
I am from mexico I do not tell you excuse about my overstay ,I only forget ,my fault.
sorry very silly mistake.become a BIG PROBLEM.
Thanks
Hi there,
in these situations it depends on the Chinese consolates. I think they will decide case by case.
Thanks fot your advice.
Adios buen fin de semana.
Hi furio
how about when you do not have a local embassy in your country.
I am from honduras ,we dont have embassy or consulate
I submitted all the docuement in shenzhen,china ,now I am in Hong kong
my invitation letter is ready.
can I get it in HK ?
Hola Carlos,
it all depends on the relationship between China and Honduras. As an example, for French people get the VISA is more difficult cause the Chinese government didn’t like some declaration made by the French government. I have no experience with Honduras passport but on principle you shall be ok in HK.
Thanks for your reply.
I am thinking in two options ask the hong kong immigration office if they can or not.
or go directly to chinese the embassy and simply try.
Regards to all.
HK is a great place for getting a tourist visa (L) to the Chinese mainland, as they do it so often it’s routine for them. You can go to CTS anywhere in HK if you’re willing to wait a day or so, or to the main office on HK island and stand in line to do it yourself the same day. But if you want a work visa or other visa, you may be better off doing that from your home country (for me, I’ve used LA and Houston for same day service for F & Z visas). When I got my Z visa in Houston I appeared in person and spent the entire day waiting (they take applications and passports in the morning, and have you come back in the afternoon to pick up your passport with the visa in it), and when I got my F visa in LA I FedEx’d my passport and application plus a cashier’s check to the contact whom my local university’s foreign studies director recommended to save a tirp. It took about a week or two to get it back that way, but from what I read, you are supposed to be getting working visas applying from your home country. So it depends on what kind of visa you want.
Consular office in Chicago is brutal. If you have one item incomplete or inaccurate according to their standards you are sent away without guidance as to why the form is wrong. Also, once an error is found you are summarily rejected, they do not read through the entire form to identify other corrections that may be needed. Some people were saying they were sent away five times to make corrections to the form. And, of course, since the corrections are made online, you cannot do the corrections on the spot. Finally, I saw a post that someone got their Visa upon entry in Hong Kong. I believe this is no longer possible.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, it’s still possible in Hong Kong
Hi,
I know you need to prove 2 years post-graduate experience, but does anyone know what if you work as a freelance?
Do you prepare a employment certificate for yourself?
best,
maria
Hi Maria,
sorry but I have no idea how it works for freelancers
Hi Maria,
From conversations I have had with TEFL teachers, it is really not possible to come to China ‘legally’ and be a freelancer. You cannot prepare your own certificate as you must be sponsored by a business.
I know that many overseas students that come to China to study Chinese, have part time teaching jobs. However if you are looking to be a full time freelancer and be more legit, you would need to look to opening up a business in China.
Hope this is helpful.
Cheers,
Harley
Hey Harley,
thanks for stepping in,
Yeah,
for sure you can’t work in China as a “freelancer.” This is actually true on any country of the world. Thailand is the “freelancers and small biz heaven” because you can get a Tourist Visa and renew it without limitations (as was for China in the past).
I understood Maria’s question was more about the “two years of previous experience” in order to get a Z VISA and legally work as English teacher in China.
It’s fucked up because the only thing you could do is to:
1) Prove you have a business (a limited company biz license 2 years old, for instance)
2) Prove that this business is on the language niche
However if you want a Z VISA on second/third Chinese cities you don’t need to years of previous experience on teaching English. As far as I know you only need that in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and maybe Tianjin (they are damn picky haha)
Furio,
No worries.
Either way it is much harder to get a job in many cities now without the experience. I would say your list of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, etc. could be expanded. I know that within Chengdu the ministry that reviews CV’s to determine if they get a Z or not has been more restrictive.
Given the economic situation and more people wanting to work here, they are applying more scrutiny to the visa applicants. That is unless someone has a good relationship, then all bets are off.
Cheers.
Hi again!
I still have the same question and yes you understood right. I don’t want to work as freelance but I have worked most time as freelance, I have my own business and I don’t have 2 years of experience in an office. I got an offer recenttly for a job,so I would like to know how I should prove my experience in order to get visa z.
Thank you both again!
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi,
there is no fixed rule… Personally, they accepted my Ph.D. degree; for teachers, they accept a letter from a school they worked beforehand, etc.
It also depends on the province, not all provinces enforce the “2 years experience” clause.
If you only worked as a freelancer all your life I have no idea. Be creative, find out if your work can be seen as some kind of specialty and prove the 2 years with taxes reports etc.
The law seems to be quite open on this matter and, at the end, it will come down on how strong is the organization that wants to hire you and how badly they want to hire you.
My girlfriend from Guangzhou n we are planing to get married on this May,2015. My inquire is, what type o documents I need to present on the day of marriage registration? And what type of documents my girlfriend should present? I have been going to China with L visa n each time I stay 30days n this time I m planning to apply for six month mutruple entry visa? As I m frequently traveling there n staying long each time, is there any possibpossibility to deport me or refuse my visa application?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi Razib,
please check this article http://www.saporedicina.com/english/chinese-visitor-visa/, where we also talk about Q VISA, that is marriage VISA.
Cheers
Hello bro, Thx for your info, I am facing some new problem. Last year when I came to China, I asked embassy can I extand my L visa after I enter in China, Embassy people told me I can’t, but when I came n tried, I really did extanded for 30days. at the 1st time I was granted S2 visa but latter they refuse to give me S2 visa with my girl friend’s inviation n issued me a L visa instead. When I went back to my country to Bangladesh, I applied for visa agian with my girl friend’s paper n got L visa but when I used same paper this time n applie for visa, they refused me and didn’t issue me visa and latter I had to spend money really high n got visa through an agent. I would like to know that why all these confusion. Each time I go n find some new things. This time I am in Guangzhou and I want to get married with my gf but I had some problem with my single certificate n I sent it back to my country to fix it. but the problem is, I spent long time with my gf family n etended my visa once for 30days. is there anyway to extand it one more time?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello,
I have no idea! The application of the Visa law depends on your nationality, situation, and past Chinese Visas on your passport. Get in touch with Foverer Bright Travel in Hong Kong to see if they can help you
would you mind telling the address of Foverer Bright Travel?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
It’s on this article: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/get-a-chinese-visa-in-hong-kong/
Hi Harley, Furio,
However in my case I have completed my graduation in April 2014, but I started working since December 2013 till December 2014 (1 year, 1 Month)
Then with my current employer from February 2015 to till now which will be 1 year 10 months.
Can this create a problem regarding 2 year full time work experience.? And also what should I mention for the 2 months gap between employment.?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Rahul
You have already 2 years experience so it should not be a problem
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Rahul,
we can’t reply to these questions as they are too specific.
Evening, sir
Can one change Business visa to Z work visa? You mentioned that Z visa is strictly regulated in tier 1 cities, what about smaller towns? Thanks
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Yes, if your employer helps you, it’s possible, although it’s not the standard procedure.
Z visa is a bit less difficult to obtain in smaller cities, generally speaking
This October in Hong Kong I was only been able to obtain a 30 day single entry visa which for one who has recently had 90 day entries is not much use.I went to your favourite agent and they confirmed this situation. This one was issued in Hong Kong and not Shenzhen like my 90 day one I got from an agent about a year ago – see my previous comment.
Now in Zhuhai as it is close for a monthly trip to Hong Kong and I think it is a nicer place that Shenzhen.
30 days limits me from taking on a flat for my stay which I have done for the past three years.
I think I might look at Taiwan 90 days and no visa required
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, in the Italian version of the website there were a lot of comments concerning VISAs in Hong Kong.
I learned that from now on if you spend too much time in China with tourists/business VISA they won’t grant you anymore longterm VISAs in HK. You actually were lucky cause many people are getting 7 or 14 days VISA.
Yup, Taiwan seems a good option. I’m in Thailand now but I’m considering to move to Taipei in 2014.
p.s. I just updated the article on HK VISAs if you’re interested on knowing the details: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/get-a-chinese-visa-in-hong-kong/
I want to see my boyfriend family at china but still confused. I am from jakarta, indonesia. Do you have idea what to do because i want to stay in there 2month. They are lived hunan , changsha
Get a tourist VISA
I see a china visa is easier to obtain compared to other countries plus it can be done in just a couple of days.
Both my personal and professional experience has been mixed when visiting the China consulate in New York City. Personally I have never used an agency and depending on the lines the wait can take 30 to 90 minutes.
Last check which was (2) weeks ago they where only issuing 6 month visas. However this is seldom to change by a case to case basis or other events.
A few tips I would add:
1 – If applying for travel to Tibet – Do NOT mention this at all during your application process.
2 – If you need to extend your Tourist (L) or Business (F) visa you can easily accomplish this at a local police stations. In most cities there is a specific office that process these requests.
3 – If you are looking for support with Travel to Tibet please feel free to contact me as I work with WindhorseTour.com a Lonely Planet listed Travel Agency.
Thanks Again for a very helpful article.
Regards,
Hg
Hey Harley,
thanks for the tips. About F VISA extension, for how long do you think you can extend it from within China? This may be a useful info for a lot of readers
Welcome Furio,
In most cases I would expect it can be extended 3 months. Just depends on the current situation in China. Last year it was harder with the change of leadership. However this year it is expected to be more relaxed.
Hope this helps your reader.
American citizens should use an agency, such as Travisa (http://www.travisa.com/), to avoid delays and hassles. If you think that another trip to China may occur in the near future, ask for a one-year multiple entry visa. The price is the same, regardless of number of entries and visa duration. A 30-day single entry visa costs the same as a one year multiple entry visa – last year I paid $145 for a one year multi-entry visa.
Use an agency. Thanks for the article – very informative.
Hey Will,
this make sense to American citizens because the costs for you are higher (Italians pay 50 USD for a single entry VISA while American 130 USD, if I remember well).
So yeah, I think I will add it on the article, especially for Americans hehe
The last time I applied for a China visa in London UK I as usual applied for a multi entry and was told I could not have one – they would apply for 90 days but maybe I could only have a 30 day one.
So I got a 90 day one and when that time was nearly up I went to Hong Kong to get another .
Junction of Nathan road and Pekin Road there is a CTS office were I was going but this building has two entrances and I ended up on the 4th floor with another visa agent – Their service was wonderful
I filled in some basic details on a form they gave me – one page – on turning it over they said “Do not fill part in we do that. They then took my photo, I paid and was told to come back the day after tomorrow.
My new visa was not the same colour as all my previous ones. It was issued in Shenzhen and not Hong Kong. On going through the China immigration in Shenzhen the guy said “Huh a temporary visa” but it was for the 90 days I needed.
This agent also offered a multi-entry one but at that time I did not need that .
I will not bother with the visa situation in the Uk where the form wants you to buy your air ticket before application – want the names and contact details of any friends you have in China – needs to know which hotel you will use – needs to know if you are married – needs a complete itinerary of your travel plans. I feel like saying ” is this a joke”.
When I first got a China Visa 1995 form was about two pages – now I think it is five.
This for us from the Uk may be a bit of “tit for tat” as the form the Chinese have to fill up for a UK visa is ( or was until recently ) in english and the Chinese apparently have to be fingerprinted.
= How daft can you get.
So my advice is apply in Hong Kong – go to corner of Nathan Road / Pekin Road, Kowloon Entrance is on Peking Road chose the entrance on the right when facing the building – office is on 4th floor – exit lift turn left and left again if my memory is correct.
If you want one the same day CTS can do that for you.
Hey Tom,
thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, at the moment it seems indeed easier to get your VISA in Hong Kong than in Europe. However my experience with China tells me that rules may change fast.
I’ll try to keep the article updated, hopefully with the help of readers like you : )
sir,what document do i have to show to the Pbs to change my business visa to get a perminent residents visa and how much does it cost
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
hello, we discuss this on our free e-book
Hello sir, I am an Indian. I want to work in china. But all company’s are asking a resident visa before calling me for interview, fortunately which I don’t have. Can you please give advice what should I do.? To work in china.
Hello Furio Fu,
I am a Dutch citizen and permanent resident in the US. I currently have a 1 year multiple entry F visa, which has worked great. I go to China regularly since my company hosts recruitment events there. I also am working PT for a Chinese company and they are sponsoring me to get a Z visa. Should I be worried that it will be harder for me to get an F or M visa after I have had a Z visa? Are there any liabilities for me I should consider before applying for the Z visa? I look forward to your response.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Hans,
I never heard that a Z visa could be a liability. Just keep in mind that once you get the Z visa, your F visa will expire!