Rules for obtaining a visa to China in 2023
Information
China has resumed issuing all types of visas from March 15, 2023.
We have been waiting for the opening of Chinese borders for a long time, and finally it has become possible. Now many of us who have dreamed of visiting China and getting to know its culture, traditions, and history are looking for ways to obtain a visa.
Don’t rush to part with a large sum of money for agent services, as it seems that you can do everything yourself. At the very least, you can check the agent’s work. In this article, we will explain in detail how to obtain a visa to China and what documents are required for this.
At first, obtaining a Chinese visa may seem difficult, but if you were told from the start that you only need three documents, two of which you already have, it would be much easier. – Can it really be that simple? – Yes, it can! The other documents will depend on the type of visa you choose. All documents are divided into two parts: general, required for everyone, and additional, depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
In this article, we will go through each point in detail so that you can easily and quickly obtain a visa and embark on an exciting journey to China!
1. General Documents
Prepare your passport and a photo on your computer, which you will later upload and attach to the application. In short, the general documents required for a visa application to China are:
- Passport and a copy of the first page
- Visa application form (to be filled out on the Chinese embassy website)
- Previous visas (can help the consul make a decision in your favor)
Now, let’s look at each item in detail.
1.1 Passport and a copy of the first page
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your visa application.
You also need to have a blank page for the visa.
1.2 Visa application form
The visa application form consists of three documents and is filled out on two Chinese embassy websites, in the following order:
1) Visa application form and confirmation page. Fill out the form on http://cova.mfa.gov.cn with accurate and complete information.
Save and print out the confirmation page. Document 1 and Document 2.
2) Schedule an appointment at the embassy – use the application number from the previous step to schedule an appointment on http://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn, then save and print out the confirmation.
Save and print out the confirmation page. Document 3.
Make sure you have the following documents:
- Document 1: COVA Application
- Document 2: Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China
- Document 3: AVAS Confirmation
You need to sign twice, in section 9 of the Visa Application Form and on the Confirmation of Online Visa Application.
1.3 Previous visas
* This information can help the consul make a decision in your favor.
If you have previously obtained Chinese visas and are now applying with a new foreign passport that does not have any Chinese visas, you need to provide a copy of your previous passport’s personal data page and a copy of the page with your photo (if they are on separate pages), as well as copies of pages with previous Chinese visas. If your name has changed, you also need to provide an official document proving the name change.
1.4 Not Required by Everyone
This is the end of the general list. You can move on to the additional documents, which depends on the type of visa you are applying for. Two points below are often not applicable to citizens, but if you are a citizen that falls under these points, please complete them:
2. Additional Documents
In addition to the general documents we discussed earlier, you will need to prepare additional documents depending on the purpose of your trip and the type of visa you have chosen.
If you are unsure about which type of visa you need, it is most likely a tourist visa, which allows you to stay for a maximum of 30 days. For students who want to study with us for more than a month, we can provide an invitation and help you apply for an X2 visa, which allows you to stay in China for up to 180 days. If you plan to stay in China for more than 180 days, you will need to address this issue on your own. We recommend starting with a short-term stay in China, such as for a month.
All Types of Visas in China.
Issued for visitors to China for tourism purposes
Additional materials needed are either:
- Proof of round-trip flight and hotel bookings, itinerary in China, and insurance for the entire stay in China.
- Invitation letter issued by a Chinese organization (such as a travel agency) or an individual.
The invitation letter should include the following:
- Information about the invitee (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
- Information about the planned visit (purpose of the trip, dates of arrival and departure, places to be visited, description of the relationship between the invitee and the inviting organization or individual, financial sources to cover expenses)
- Information about inviting organization or individual (name, contact phone, address, official seal, signature of legal representative or inviting person).
If the invitation letter is issued by an individual, a copy of their ID must be provided.
For those coming to China for education for not more than 180 days
An original and a copy of the admission notice issued by a Chinese educational institution is required.
For those coming to China for education for more than 180 days
- An original and a copy of the admission notice issued by a Chinese educational institution is required.
- Original and photocopy of Chinese Student Visa Application (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
Note: Those granted an “X1” visa must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering the country at the entry/exit offices of the local public security authorities in the territory of the intended place of residence.
This type of visa is granted by universities and similar organizations
For those coming to China for commercial and trade activities
- Documents related to the activity issued by a Chinese trade partner or an invitation letter for a fair or other events from the inviting organization or individual are needed.
- A copy of the business license of the inviting organization;
- Official certificate of the invited person.
The invitation letter must include:
- information about the invitee (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.),
- the planned visit (purpose of the trip, dates of arrival and departure, places to be visited, description of the relationship between the invitee and inviting organization or individual, and financial sources to cover the expenses),
- the inviting organization or individual (name, contact phone, address, official seal, signature of legal representative or inviting person).
Note: Those who have PU letters of invitation may be exempt from submitting the documents mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3.
For those coming to China for work
The following documents is needed:
- Notification of work permit for foreigners, if the work period does not exceed 90 days. The applicant must apply for the visa before the date specified in the “Notice of Work Permit”. In other cases, the application will not be accepted.
- Permission documents from the competent department of culture and tourism (only for those who come to China for commercial performances) if the performance period does not exceed 90 days. – A “Certificate of Short-Term Work for Foreigners in China” is also required. The application for the visa must be submitted before the start date indicated in the certificate, and the work period cannot exceed the period specified in the certificate.
- Certificate of registration of a permanent representative office of an organization from another country (region) issued by the Chinese administrative authority responsible for industry and commerce supervision.
- Invitation to conduct activities at offshore oil fields in China issued by a Chinese national company for the exploitation of marine oil resources.
Note: Those who obtain a “Z” visa must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering the country by visiting the local public security entry/exit department where they intend to reside.
Issued to members of international transportation crews.
A guarantee letter issued by a foreign transportation company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant department in China.
Note: Other conditions may apply to nationals of certain countries under the “Agreements Between Governments”
Issued to those coming to China for permanent residency
The original and a copy of the foreign citizen’s permanent residence permit issued by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.
Note: Those who obtain a “D” visa must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering China by visiting the local public security entry/exit department where they intend to reside.
Issued to those coming to China for exchange programs, official visits, expeditions, and other non-commercial activities.
A written invitation issued by a relevant organization or individual in China. The invitation must include:
- Information about the invitee (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
- Information about the planned visit (purpose of the trip, dates of arrival and departure, places to be visited, description of the relationship between the invitee and the inviting organization or individual, financial sources to cover expenses)
- Information about the inviting organization or individual (name or organization name, contact phone number, address, official seal of the organization, signature of the legal representative or inviting person)
Issued to those transiting through China
An airline (train, ship) ticket with a confirmed date, place, and indication of the further route to the destination country or region
Issued to foreign resident journalists and employees of foreign news organizations in China.
The duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
A visa notification letter issued by the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter from the media where the journalist works.
The applicant must contact the Press Office of the Embassy or Consulate General of China in advance and complete the necessary formalities.
Note: Those who obtain a “J1” visa must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering China by visiting the local public security entry/exit department where they intend to reside.
Issued for foreign journalists who are coming to China for short-term correspondence work.
The stay in China cannot exceed 180 days.
An official visa notification letter issued by the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or the corresponding authorized agency and an official letter from the media outlet where the journalist works are required.
The applicant must contact the Press Office of the Embassy or Consulate General of China in advance and complete the necessary formalities.
This visa is issued to family members of Chinese citizens or foreign citizens with permanent residency who come to China for family reunification or for those who come to China for guardianship purposes.
The duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Family members: spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, and parents-in-law.
For family reunification, the following documents are required:
- Invitation letter from a Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with permanent residency in China, which includes:
- Information about the invitee (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)
- Information about the planned visit (purpose of the trip, dates of arrival and departure, places and duration of stay, description of the relationship between the invitee and the inviting person, financial sources to cover expenses),
- – Information about the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature),
- Copy of the Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residency of the inviting person.
- Original and copy of documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certificate of kinship issued by the public security authority or notarized certificate) proving the family relationship between the person applying for the visa and the inviting person.
Family members include spouses, parents, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, and parents-in-law.
For guardianship, the following documents are required:
- Document of guardianship establishment issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad or the government agency responsible for guardianship, notarized and certified in the country of residence or in China
- Original and copy of the sender’s passport or passports, as well as the original and copy of documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certificate of kinship issued by the public security authority or notarized certificate) proving the family relationship between the parents or guardians and the children
- Consent to guardianship issued by the authorized person who agrees to provide guardianship in China, as well as a copy of their ID
- Copy of the document confirming the permanent residence of the parents abroad during the child’s birth, if both parents or one of them are Chinese citizens.
Please note: Those who receive a “Q1” visa must apply for a residency permit at the local public security bureau within 30 days of entering China.
This visa is issued to those who are coming to China to visit their Chinese or foreign relatives with permanent residency.
The duration of stay in China does not exceed 180 days.
- Written invitation from a Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with permanent residency in China, which includes:
- Information about the invitee (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)
- Information about the planned visit (purpose of the trip, dates of arrival and departure, places to be visited, description of the relationship between the invitee and the inviting person, financial sources to cover expenses)
- Information about the private individual (name, contact phone number, address, signature of the inviting private individual)
- Copy of the Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residency of the inviting person
- Copy of the document confirming the family relationship between the invitee and the inviting person
This visa is also issued to those who possess exceptional talents and highly professional skills that are in high demand in China.
For those applying for the visa, they must provide certificates that meet the specific rules and requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government, which demonstrate their exceptional talents and highly professional specialties that are in high demand in China.
The visa is also issued to those who are visiting foreigners who work or study in China, if the person is a spouse, parent, or child under 18 years old, as well as a parent of the foreigner’s spouse. It is also issued to those who are visiting China for personal reasons.
The duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
- A written invitation from a private individual (foreigner residing or working in China) which includes:
- Information about the invitee (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)
- Information about the planned visit (purpose of the trip, dates of arrival and departure, places to be visited, duration of stay, description of the relationship between the invitee and the private individual, financial sources to cover expenses)
- – Information about the private individual (name, contact phone number, address, signature of the inviting private individual).
- Photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit.
- Original and photocopy of documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, proof of relationship issued by the public security agency or notarized) to prove family ties between the visa applicant and the inviting individual.
Family members include spouses, parents, sons and daughters under 18 years old, and parents of spouses.
Note: Those who receive an “S1” visa must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering the country at the local public security office in the intended place of residence.
This visa is issued to those who wish to visit foreigners working or studying in China, as well as those who intend to visit China for other personal reasons.
The duration of stay in China does not exceed 180 days.
Family members: spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, and parents-in-law.
For family members visiting for a short period of time, the following documents are required:
- Copy of the inviting individual’s valid passport and residence permit or visa
- Invitation letter from the inviting private individual (foreigner residing or working in China) which includes:
- Information about the invitee (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)
- Information about the planned visit (purpose of the trip, dates of arrival and departure, places to be visited, description of the relationship between the invitee and the private individual, financial sources to cover expenses)
- Information about the private individual (name, contact phone number, address, signature of the inviting private individual)
- Photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit.
- Original and photocopy of documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or proof of relationship notarized) to prove family ties between the visa applicant and the inviting individual.
For trips for personal reasons, documents regarding the purpose of the trip must be provided in accordance with the requirements of the consular office staff.
What applicants need to know
Except in the cases where the original is required, the invitation letter can be sent by fax, as a copy, or in printed form. However, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide the original invitation letter depending on specific circumstances.
If necessary, consular officers may require the applicant to provide other documents or additional materials depending on specific circumstances, or invite the applicant to an in-person interview.
Consular officers make decisions regarding visa issuance, as well as the validity period, duration of stay, and number of entries based on the specific circumstances of the applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Chinese Embassy Worldwide has prepared a list of frequently asked questions regarding how to properly apply for a visa. Please read the information below carefully to better understand the process.
