China Visa Regulations

Chinese Visa Update for US citizens.

From Mar 30th 2004, the procedure of applying Chinese Visa for US citizens changed as the following:

1.Chinese government grants ordinary visas and levies a visafee for US personnel who hold diplomatic or service passports who are traveling for personal purposes according to their intention.
2.Interviews with some US citizens who are applying for visas to China in the Chinese embassy and consulates should be required.
3.The decision also banned US citizens from applying for visas upon their arrival, noting that the visa application must have been granted before they enter China.

What do you need before your travel to China?
All travelers to China are required to hold a valid visa. If travel in group, the visa will be kept by the accompanying guide and for individual traveler, visa, which is insert into the passport, should be kept by himself.

Passports are also needed as it will be the prime means of identification. You will have to show them when you cash travelers checks, make plane or train reservations, exchange money or establish the holder's identity.

A Brief Introduction to Chinese Visa
Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese visa authorities to those foreigners who want to enter into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. According to the applicants' identity, visiting purpose and passport type, the Chinese visa falls into four categories, namely, diplomatic, courtesy, service and ordinary visas.

The ordinary visa consists of nine sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters F, L, Z, X, C, J-1, J-2, G, and D.

• Visit / Business Visa (F): Issued to those foreigners who are invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of less than six months.
• Tourism Visa (L): Issued to those who enter China temporarily for touring, family visiting or other personal affairs (multiple-entry is not granted for this category).
• Working Visa (Z): Issued to foreigners who are to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members.
• Study / Student Visa (X): Issued to those who come to China for study or intern practice for a period of six months or above.
• Crewmember Visa (C): Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and their accompanying family members.
• Journalist Visa (J-1): This visa is for journalists who are posted to China for at least one year.
• Journalist Visa (J-2): Issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview mission in China.
• Transit Visa (G): Issued to those who transit through China.
• Residence Visa (D): Issued to people who are going to live in China permanently.

The Chinese visa authorities overseas include Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, and the consular department of the office of the Commissioner of 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.

Detailed information of Chinese visa

The following notes are offered as a general guide in order to assist you to understand the passport and visa requirements. Should you require any further information, we recommend that you contact the Chinese Embassy or the Chinese Consulate in your country of domicile.

General Requirements for Applying for a Chinese Visa:
1. A completed Visa Application form. Form can be obtained from the local Chinese Embassy or Consulate, or you can download it from the official website of the Chinese Embassy in your Country.
2. Two 2" X 2" passport photos showing applicant's full front face.
3. Current Passport that is valid for a minimum of six months from the date of travel. The passport must also have a more than two blank visa pages.
4. Submitting documents which explain one's reasons to enter China.

Requirements applicable to the 9 different classes of Visa

• Visa D: Permanent Residence Visa
  A permanent residence confirmation form is required. This can be obtained by the applicant direct or through his/her designated relatives in China from the exit and entry department of the public security bureau in the city or county in which the applicant wishes to reside.
  Visa Z: Working Visa
  
• Foreign applicants wishing to take up employment in the PRC are required to obtain an Employment Licence from either their proposed employer in China or from the provincial or municipal labor authority. A visa notification letter or a telegram issued by an authorised organization or company as appropriate should accompany this document.
• Visa X: Students Visa
  Certificates from the receiving unit and competent authority concerned are required. These comprise JW-201 or JW_202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China and a letter of admission from a Chinese University / College.
• Visa F: Visit/Business Visa
  The invitation letter from the inviting unit or a visa notification letter/telegram from the authorised unit is required.
• Visa L: Tourism Visa.
  In principle a tourist must be able to demonstrate the ability to finance all of his/her expenses whilst in China. It is also necessary to produce evidence of exit travel arrangements in the form of air, rail or ship tickets for the onward/return journey to the appropriate destination.
  Applicants who are intending to stay with relatives in China will be required to show an invitation letter from such relatives by way of confirmation.
• Visa G: Transit Visa
  When arrangements have been made to continue foreign travel applicants must be able to produce the necessary visas and/or travel permits that are required by the country to which they will travel upon leaving China.
• Visa C: Crewmember Visa
  Applicants must produce relevant documents in accordance with bilateral agreements or regulations stipulated on the Chinese side.
• Visa J-1 and J-2: Journalist Visa
  Applicants for these classes of visa are required to produce a certificate issued by the competent Chinese authorities.

Besides 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.

General Notes:
It is vital that you have the necessary documents with you when you travel to China otherwise entry will be denied.

Fees for Visas can vary from one country to another but details can be obtained from the web site of the Chinese Embassy in your country. For details of Chinese Embassies in different countries.

Overseas 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 authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

All foreigners intending to enter into, exit from or transit through Chinese Territory must have a valid visa. For further information please consult your nearest China Visa authorities.

Visa validity: A single or double entry visa is normally valid for three months form the date of issue. Multi-entry visas can be valid for either six months, one year, or two to five years.

Duration of stay/number of entries: Duration may vary and it is possible to extend the period of your stay when appropriate. It should be noted that entry into China from Hong Kong or Macao is subject to a special permit.

Globalsurance has extensive knowledge of international medical insurance for expats living all over the world including China. We are here to help you choose the most suitable China International Health Insurance plan that is best suited to your needs.

Globalsurance is an independent medical and international health insurance advisor. We offer free quotations and advice to clients throughout the World. If you are planning to travel or live abroad, we can offer you advice to match your international health insurance needs.