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Traveling in China requires a visa. An Individual traveler can apply for one at any Chinese embassy, and the procedure is usually straightforward, taking about a week. The duration depends upon current regulations and also upon your own country's regulation for citizens visiting China. Tourist visas are usually good for two months, but can be extended for an extra month at the Foreigners Section of the Public Security Bureau. Passports must be valid for at least six months before you travel to China.

A Brief Introduction to Chinese Visa and the Procedure for Visa Application

Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, 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. Hereunder is an introduction to the ordinary visa and its application procedure:

The ordinary visas consist of eight sub-categories, which are marked with Chinese phonetic letters (D, Z, X, F, L, G, C, J-1 and J-2 respectively).

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, for a period of no more than six months. 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.

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 provide 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.

In addition to providing the above-mentioned documents, an applicant is also required to answer relevant questions and go through the following formalities (with the exception of those stipulated otherwise by agreements):

Providing valid passport or a travel document in lieu of the passport

Filling out a visa application form, and providing a recent 2-inch, bareheaded and full-faced passport photo.

Paying the visa fee.

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. If a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory, he shall apply to the above-mentioned Chinese visa authorities for a Chinese visa. For further information, please consult the nearest Chinese visa authorities.

Download the Visa application form here : http://us.china-embassy.org/chn/hzqz/zgqz/Q1-1.pdf

Travel to Tibet
According to the Chinese official regulation, you cannot travel to Tibet independently. You have to book a tour package to Tibet through a tour agency. You need a special travel permit to enter Tibet in addition to a valid China visa. Please contact us as soon as possible if you plan to travel to Tibet independently. We will handle all the issues for you.

Travel to Hong Kong
Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status. Visas for Mainland China can be obtained in Hong Kong. They require one photo and usually take three working days to process. Visas can be obtained through the Visa Office of People's Republic of China, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong

Chinese Embassies and Consulates Around the World.

Foreign Embassies and Consulates in China

Visa F.A.Q.
1. Q: What documentation is required to apply for a Chinese Visa?
A: Your valid & actual passport; one additional passport photo; one application form

2. Q: Can I provide the embassy or consulate with a photocopy of my passport?
A: Never. Your must provide your actual passport.

3. Q: I'd like to travel to China as a tourist. Should I provide an invitation from a Chinese travel agency or my friends?
A: Not necessary. If we need any supporting information, such as itinerary or a letter of invitation, the consul will telephone you immediately.

4. Q: I frequently travel to China for business consultation. How can I get a multiple visa?
A: We only grant multiple visas for business purpose. Please ask your business partners in China to contact the local government office to issue an invitation. The invitation should be sufficient for the embassy or consulate to issue the visa.

5. Q: I have read " Instruction of authentication". Does my visa application form need to be authenticated?
A: No. Authentication applies only to documents being used in China for commercial or civil affairs, or for lawsuits. You only need to sign on the application form.

6. Q: Item 24, my wife and I are going to China together. I should put my name in this item?
A: No. Leave it blank. It refers to the situation in which a child who does not have his/her own passport is to travel to China with his/her parent and uses the parent's passport on which the child's name appears for visa application.If your child uses the mother or father's passport, and he/she is going to China with you, please fill it out.

7. Q: My child is traveling to China with me. He cannot sign on his application; can I sign it on behalf?
A: Yes. Be sure to let us know that you signed for him.

8. Q: One of your requirements is that my passport must have 6 months validity remaining. Does that mean that my passport has to be at least six months old, or that it must have at least six months left on it? I just received a new passport. I should wait six months before I apply the Chinese Visa?
A: Your passport must have at least six months left before it expires. A new passport is good. There is no need to wait for six months before applying for a Chinese Visa. You may apply on the first day having your passport.

9 Q: I have a friend who is disabled (handicapped). Can he apply for a Chinese visa?
A: Sure. Please be advised that his relative(s) or friend(s) should go along with him if he needs help and assistance.

10. Q: Can I take pets to China?
A: According to regulations formulated by the relevant Chinese government office, foreigners who wish to take pets to China should be acknowledged:
1) One pet per person is allowed, limited to dogs, cats, or birds;
2) The pet should be immunized before going to China. Please prepare a state Immunization Certificate and a Health Certificate issued by a certified veterinarian.
3) Upon arrival in china, you must notify the custom official that you have a pet with you and present the above-mentioned documents.

11. Q: I know that before I go to Tibet, I need a travel permit from the Tibetan Travel Agency. Can you tell me where I can get the letter?
A: You can contact the China National Tourist Office at 212-7608218 for further advice and assistance, or you can visit their web page:www.cnto.org.

12. Q: I'm going to China on June1, and my visa will expired on June 10. Can I still stay in China for 30 days?
A: Yes. A Chinese visa is good for 90 days from the date of issuance. Within 90 days (please note the time difference between China and the U.S.) you can enter China. And from the date of your entrance, you can stay in China for 30 days (the duration period is written in the visa label).

13. Q: Do I have to see a doctor to have " Physical examination record for foreigner" filled out?
A: This form is strictly for those who will work or study in China over 1 year (360 days). If you are to stay in China for less than one year, you don't have to see a doctor to fill it out.

14. Q: I am going to Guangdong, then to Hong Kong and back to Guangdong for one night. Does it mean that I must have a double-entry visa?
A: Absolutely. Double-entry visa means you can enter into mainland of China twice within 90 days. Since you are going to Guangdong in the mainland of China twice, you must have a double-entry visa. Although being part of China, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region

15. Q: Do I need any shots before traveling to China?
A: None is required, although your doctor might recommend some. Check with your doctor.

Chinese Visa Samples: