In accordance with international law and practice, any sovereign state is entitled to decide on whether or not to allow a foreign citizen to enter into or exit from its territory, and whether to issue a visa, decline a visa application or to cancel an issued visa in accordance with its national laws.

Chinese consular officers are entitled to decide on the type, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay of a visa to be issued based on Chinese laws and regulations. Consular officers reserve the right to decline a visa application or revoke an issued visa.

I. Visa is required for a foreign citizen to visit China

Foreign citizens must obtain a Chinese visa before entry into China, with the exception of visa-free entry based on relevant agreements or regulations.

Please check the validity of your visa before traveling to China. If the visa has expired or the number of entries is not enough, you must apply for a new visa.

II. Visa Types

Chinese visas fall into four types: diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. Ordinary visas are further divided into the following categories:

1. Tourist Visa (L Visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for a short stay for tourism purpose, family visit or other personal affairs.

2. Business Visa (F Visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who is invited to China for a visit, research, lecture, business, exchanges in the fields of science, technology or culture, advanced study, or internship for a period of no more than 6 months.

3. Student Visa (X Visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for the purpose of study, advanced study or intern ship for a period of more than 6 months.

4. Work Visa (Z Visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for the purpose of commercial performances or academic exchanges, and to his/her accompanying spouse and minor children.

5. Crew (C Visa) is issued to a crew member of an international train, airliner or vessel who is a foreign citizen and comes to china for business.

6. Journalist Visa (J-1, J-2 Visa)

J-1 Visa is issued to a resident foreign journalist in China and his/her accompanying spouse and minor children.

J-2 Visa is issued to a foreign journalist who visits China for temporary news coverage.

7. Transit Visa (G Visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who is to transit through China on his/her way to a third country or region and will stay at a Chinese airport for more than 24 hours or need to leave the airport.

8. Permanent Resident Visa (D Visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who has been authorized to reside permanently in China.

III. Validity, Number of Entries and Duration of Each Stay of Chinese Visa

1. Visa Validity ("Enter Before") means that the visa is valid, or can be used for entry into China from the date of issue to the "Enter Before" date indicated on the visa (Beijing Time). If a visa has unused entries, the bearer can enter China by 24:00 (Beijing Time) of the expiration date.

2. "Entries" refers to the number of times the bearer is permitted to enter China during the validity of a visa.

A visa becomes invalid if there are no entries left, or there are entries left but the visa validity expires. If a visa becomes invalid, its bearer must apply for a new visa before entering China. Traveling with an invalid visa to China will result in refusal of entry.

3."Duration of Each Stay" refers to the maximum number of days the visa bearer is permitted to stay in China each time, which is calculated from the date of entry into China.

A foreign citizen who overstays the end date of his/her authorized stay in China without going through extension formalities is subject to fines and other penalties for violation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Control of the Entry and Exit of Aliens and its Detailed Rules for Implementation. If a visa bearer to stay in China longer than the duration of stay allowed on the visa, approval must be obtained from local public security authorities above the county level before the duration of stay expires. Approval of an extension of stay may or may not be granted. Please check the website of the local public security authorities in China for more information. Chinese Embassies and Consulates overseas are not authorized to extend a visa.

A bearer of a Work (Z) Visa, Student (X)Visa Permanent, Resident (D) Visa, or Resident Journalist (J-1)Visa must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China. Members of foreign diplomatic or consular missions in China must apply for a residence permit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or local foreign affairs departments within 30 days of entry into China.

IV. Visa-free Entry

A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances:

1. Direct Transit

A foreign citizen who is transiting through China by air is exempted from a visa if he/she will stay only in the airport for no more than 24 hours and has a valid connecting ticket with confirmed seating on an international flight.

Citizens holding passports issued by the following countries are exempted from a visa if transiting through Shanghai and staying for no more than 48 hours in Shanghai. These visitors can leave the airport but must enter into and exit from China via Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport or Shang Pudong International Airport: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.S.

2. Visiting the Pearl River Delta or Hainan Island

(1) A foreign citizen holding an ordinary passport issued by any country with diplomatic relations with China is exempted from a visa if he or she is already in Hong Kong or Macao and joins a tourist group organized by a travel agency, which is registered in Hong Kong or Macao, for a visit to the Pearl River Delta region (including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing and Huizhou ) and his/her stay is no more than 6 days.

(2) A foreign citizen holding an ordinary passport issued by any of the following countries is exempted from a visa if he or she joins a tourist group(of 5 or more persons)organized by an international travel agency registered in Hainan with the approval of China National Tourism Administration to visit Hainan Province and his/her stay is no more than 15 days: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the U.K., Ukraine and the U.S.

Citizens of Germany, Republic of Korea and Russia may join an international tourist group (of 2 or more persons) and can stay up to 21 days.

3. Citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan

A citizen of Singapore, Brunei or Japan with an ordinary passport is exempted from a visa if he/she visits China's mainland for tourism purpose, business, or meeting with friends or relatives, enters China through ports open to foreigners, and stays for no more than 15 days.

However, a visa is required for citizens of these three countries under any of the following circumstances:

(1) An ordinary passport holder visits China for tourism purpose, business, or meeting with friends or relatives, and stays for more than 15 days.

(2) An ordinary passport holder visits China for the purpose of study, work, permanent residency, official visits and news coverage.

(3) A Japanese citizen travels with a diplomatic or official passport.

4. Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card

The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years.A card holder who presents a valid passport of the same person at the same time can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.

5. Foreigner's Permanent Residence Card Holders

6. Holders of Residence Permit for Foreigners issued by the Ministry of Public Security

Foreign citizens entering China for the purpose of study or employment or as resident foreign journalists must apply for a residence permit at local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China. Permit holders may stay in China and enter or exit China multiple times without the need of a visa during the validity period of the permit.

7. Bilateral Agreement

Based on bilateral agreements signed or reached between China and foreign countries, foreign citizens of some countries who meet certain requirements may visit China without a visa. Please see the list of agreements on visa exemption signed between China and foreign countries for more information.

Visa Application Guidelines

I. Basic Materials to Be Submitted for Application

1. Passport – You should submit the original of your passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page and a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page.

2. Visa Application Form – You should submit the Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China which is truthfully completed and signed. You should submit the truthfully completed and signed Supplementary Visa Application Form if you are seeking to work (Z Visa) or study (X Visa) in China, if you are a citizen of a third country, or if someone else traveling with you shares the same passport with you.

3. Photo – Please affix one color photo on the Application Form. The photo should be recent, front view, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering.

4. Proof of U.S. Residency Status – Third– country citizens need to provide the original and a photocopy of proof of U.S. residency, work or study, proof of residency in the consular district(e.g. ID, water or electricity bills or tenancy agreement, etc. ) or a valid U.S. visa.

5. Original Chinese Passport – First-time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, or who were born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), need to submit the original Chinese passport and a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page, and extension page (if applicable).

6. Certificate of Name Change – If the name in the new passport is different from that in the original one, the official document issued by authorities for name change should be submitted.

7. Previous Chinese Visa – Foreign citizens who were born in China and had obtained a Chinese visa before, when applying for visa with a new passport, should submit a photocopy of the original passport's information/photo page and the page containing the previous Chinese visa.

II. Additional Materials to Be Submitted and Special Explanations

1. Business Visa (F Visa)

One of the following documents is required:

- An Invitation Letter by a Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency;

- An invitation letter issued by the host company, meeting or exhibition organizers in China.

*According to China-U.S. Agreement on Mutual Granting of Multiple-Entry Visas Valid for One Year to Business and Tourist Travelers, U.S. citizens may apply for a single-entry or double-entry, or a multiple-entry F/L visa valid for half a year or one year.

* U.S. citizen may apply for a multiple-entry F visa valid for two years, if he or she has obtained an F visa at least twice in the past two years and he or she should provide a photocopy of the original F visas and of the above-mentioned document.

2. Tourist (L) Visa

*A U.S. Citizen who was of Chinese origin and born in China and had obtained L visa at least twice in the past two years may apply for a multiple-entry L visa valid for two years.

*A U.S. citizen who was of Chinese origin or a Chinese citizen's American spouse or child, when applying for a multiple-entry L Visa valid for two years, should submit the relevant marriage certificate, birth certificate, proof of kinship and other documents required by the visa officer.

3. Student (X Visa)

- The original and a photocopy of the school admission letter, and Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW201 or JW202) issued by the Chinese authorities are required. (These two documents are also required for applicants who visit China for short-term studies/advanced studies, and stay for no more than six months.)

* X Visa holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

4. Work (Z Visa)

- The original and a photocopy of an Invitation Letter by A Duly Authorized Unit, or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency, and one of the following documents:

(1) Foreigner Employment Permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security;

(2)Foreign Expert Confirmation Document issued by State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs;

(3)Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in the People's Republic of China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;

(4)Registration Certificate of Foreign Enterprises' Permanent Representative Offices in China issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the approval document for the permanent representative offices of foreign enterprises issued by related commercial departments;

(5)Approval document issued by the Ministry of Culture for those who come to China for commercial performances.

(6)Invitation Letter by a Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by the Foreign Affairs Office of a province (autonomous region, city).

Accompanying family members of foreigners working in China should submit an Invitation Letter by A Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency, and proof of kinship, e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. There is no need for them to submit documents of employment permit.

* Z Visa holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

5. Crew (C Visa)

- Formal introduction letter issued by the airline or shipping company.

Crew members of the following 11 airline companies may apply for multiple-entry C Visa valid for two years: United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, UPS, Federal Express, Polar Air Cargo, Evergreen Air Cargo, Kalitta Air Inc. , Southern Air Inc. and World Airways Inc.

*The Embassy or Consulates General will issue single-entry or double-entry visas, or multiple-entry visas valid for 6 months for crew members of other airline companies on a case-by-case basis.

6. Permanent Journalist (J-1 Visa)

- Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

- An official letter issued by the applicant's media company.

* J-1 Visa applicants should contact the Information Section of the Chinese Embassy or Consulates General in advance for relevant procedures.

* J-1 Visa holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

7. Temporary Journalist (J-2 Visa)

- Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant authorized agencies.

- An official letter issued by the applicant's media company.

* J-2 Visa applicants should contact the Information Section of the Chinese Embassy or Consulates General in advance for relevant procedures.

8. Transit (G Visa)

- A valid visa of the country/region of destination, and a connecting airline ticket for the destination.

* A transit visa is generally a single-entry visa valid for 3 months with a stay of up to 7 days, unless otherwise specified on the visa application form and approved by visa officers. No multiple-entry transit visas are issued as a rule.

9. Permanent Resident (D Visa)

- Foreigner's Permanent Resident Status Confirmation Form issued by the Chinese public security authorities. (Applicants may entrust their friends or relatives in China to apply for the permanent resident certificate from the entry-exit administration department of the local public security bureau.)

* D Visa holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

10. Additional documents if deemed necessary by visa officers

III. How to apply

1. Locate the Visa Office of the Embassy / Consulate General which holds consular jurisdiction over the state in which you reside. You may either submit your application in person, or you may entrust someone else or a travel/visa agent to submit your application at the visa office.

2. If necessary, the applicant should go to the Embassy/Consulate-General for an interview or verification of the signature on application documents upon notification by the Embassy/Consulate-General.

3. Mailed applications are not accepted.

4. No appointment is required.

IV. Processing Time

1. Regular service: Visas can be obtained on the fourth business day .

2. Express service: Visas can be obtained on the second or third business day (approval required).

3. Same-day rush service: Visas can be obtained on the same day. (Visas will be granted in the afternoon of the same day if Applications are made before 12:00 p.m. , for which approval is required.)

V. Visa Fees and Payment

1. Visa fees for regular service

Note: Visa fees for certain third countries may vary from the list above based on reciprocal agreements.

2. Express service: An additional fee of $20 per visa will be charged.

3. Same-day rush service: An additional fee of $30 per visa will be charged.

4. Please pay by money order, cashier's check, company's check, or Visa/MasterCard. Cash or personal checks are not accepted. Please make checks or money order payable to "Chinese Consulate General".

VI. Other Important Information

1. Please fill out the visa application form truthfully, completely and clearly. Any false or incomplete statement or failure to write in a clear way may delay the processing of a visa application or result in the refusal of a visa.

2. Visa officers are entitled to decide on the type, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay of a visa based on Chinese laws and regulations.

3. If you are a U.S.-born child with one or two Chinese parents, and apply for a Chinese visa for the first time, please read Documentations Required for U.S.-born Children with Chinese Descent.

4. The Chinese Embassy or Consulates General reserve the right of interpret ation in case of changes to the information above .