Ultimate China Visa Requirements & Chinese Visa Categories Guide

Laura Amber, Tourism Guide

China is one of the largest countries in the world. According to the area, it is the third biggest country. Its population is around 1,415,045,928. China shares its border with Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam. China is one of the biggest countries from where a large number of applicants applied for Schengen visas. For the Chinese, there is a very low rate of rejection for a Schengen visa. If you want to know the China visa requirements and visa types so please continue reading this article.

China Visa Requirements

Basic China Visa Requirements:

  1. Original passport with a copy of the data page and the photo page if it is separate, the passport must have six months validity and have a blank page.
  2. Fill out the application form and stick with a color photo (bare-head, full face) with a light background.
  3. Flight Reservation/Itinerary: Flight Reservation is one of the core document in which every applicant need to show their flight schedule or route and your flight reservation should be verifiable on the airline’s website. You can get your flight reservation for a visa after filling out this flight reservation form.
  4. Proof of accommodation: Hotel bookings are the mandatory documents that you need to submit to the consulate and that is in the requirements list. You can get your confirmed hotel bookings for visa application purposes from SFRV Travels without any hassle.
  5. Copy of preceding Chinese passport if the applicant has foreign nationality

Chinese Visa Category:

Below we discuss different types of Chinese visas.

1: C- Visa (Crew Visa):

This visa is issued to foreign crew members who are working on international means of transportation or participate in trans-border transport affairs.

Supporting Documents:

  • Valid passport with two blank pages
  • One color photo
  • Letter of guarantee issued by a foreign airline or transport company

2: D- Visa (Permanent Resident Visa):

D visa is granted to those overseas who want permanent residency in China.

Supporting Documents:

  • Application form
  • Valid passport with a copy
  • One color photo
  • Residency status certificate with one copy, this certificate is issued by the Chinese Public Security Bureau.

3: F- Visa (Business Visa):

This type of visa is issued to those overseas who plan to engage in business or non-business activities in China, like going for a visit, study, business purpose, investigation purpose,s or for other activities.

Supporting Documents:

  • Valid passport with one copy
  • Detailed information about the applicant
  • Purpose of travel
  • Bank statement for the last six months
  • Flight Itinerary: Flight reservation/itinerary is a must due to the compulsory requirements you can get the flight reservation from SFRV Travels easily.
  • Invitation letter from China Company for whom the applicant is going to provide his/her services. (We are basically talking about a No Objection Letter From You Employer OR Institute)

4: G- Visa (Transit Visa):

G-visa is granted to those foreigners who plan to transit to the main destination in China.

Supporting Documents:

  • Application form
  • One color photo
  • Copy of airline ticket to the landing place

5: L- Visa (Tourist Visa):

This visa is issued to those overseas who want to visit China for pleasure and want to meet friends or family.

Supporting Documents:

  • Detail information about the applicant
  • Purpose of visit
  • Valid passport with two blank pages

6: M- Visa (Commercial or Trade Visa):

This visa is issued to those overseas who want to engage in commercial or trade activities this visa is issued for a short stay.

Supporting Documents:

  • Invitation letter from a Chinese company
  • Income tax return
  • Purpose of journey
  • Detail about applicant
  • Invitation letter from trade partner who lives in China

7: Q- Visa (Family Reunion Visa):

Q visa is granted to those family members (parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, spouse, and parents-in-law) who are China citizens or to those China citizens who have foreign nationality and to those who plan to go to China for a family reunion, or to those who plan to go to China for support aid purpose(foster care)

Supporting Documents:

For a Q visa following documents are required.

  • Copy of Chinese passport or foreign passport if have
  • Invitation letter
  • Copy of family connection issued by Public Security Bureau
  • Copy of birth and marriage certificate
  • Purpose of travel
  • Detailed information about the applicant

Documents required for foster care

  • Copy of kinship certificate (marriage and birth certificate)
  • Letter of foster care agreement
  • Foster entrustment notarization issued by the Chinese Embassy or Foster Care Power of Attorney.

8: R- Visa (Foreign Talent Visa):

The government of China issued this visa to highly talented people when needed for China’s development, this visa is for highly skilled, highly qualified, or most talented people.

Supporting Documents:

  • Valid passport with two blank pages
  • Fill application form
  • One color photo
  • Copy of documents required by China’s government

9: S- Visa (Private Visa):

S visa is further divided into two categories.

  • S1 Visa
  • S2 Visa

S1 Visa:

This visa is issued for a long stay, more than six months. This visa is granted for a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 5 years, this visa is also granted to those overseas who plan to study or work in China if their relatives (parents, children, and spouse) already have a residence in China or issued to those who come to China for a private concern.

S2 Visa:

This is a short-stay visa you cannot stay in China for more than 180 days. This visa is also an issue for study or for working purposes or private concerns.

Supporting Documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Copy of inviting person’s passport
  • Purpose of travel
  • Proof of enrollment from China university
  • Detailed information about the applicant
  • Copy of birth and marriage certificate

10: X- Visa (Student Visa):

This visa is divided into two categories.

  • X1
  • X2

X1 Visa:

This visa is granted to those foreigners who want to study in China, this is a long-term visa you can stay in China for more than 180 days.

X2 Visa:

This is also studied visa but you can’t stay in China for more than 180 days.

Supporting Documents:

  • Application form
  • Valid passport
  • Admission letter from China university or college

11: Z- Visa (Employment Visa):

This type of visa is issued to those foreigners who want to work in China.

In this visa, the age limit is required for males and females.

Females who are between the ages of 18 to 55 years can apply for a Z visa.

Males who are between the ages of 18 to 60 years can apply for a Z visa.

This visa is issued for 30 days, these days applicants can search to find a job.

Supporting Documents:

  • Application form
  • A work permit issued by the Chinese Labor Ministry
  • Permission letter issued by the Chinese Government

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