Please select the appropriate category of visa according to your main purpose of travel to China

When applying for a visa, you need to prepare the following documents:

I. Basic Documents

As required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in your locality, please fill in the visa application form online and submit the applicant's passport and photo, proof of legal stay or residence, and the previous Chinese passport or previous Chinese visa (for specific requirements, please refer to the “Guidance on Visa Application” section of the China Online Visa Application System (website: https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/) or the website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in your locality), together with the following:

II. Other Supporting Documents

C Visa

A guarantee letter issued by the foreign transport company, or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China.

D Visa

The original and a photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner's Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.

Please note:

The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence.

F Visa

An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter must contain the following information:

Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

Information about the invited person's visit to China: reason for coming to China, dates of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting entity or the inviting person, who will pay for the travel, etc.;

Information of the inviting entity or the inviting person: name of the inviting entity or name of the inviting person, phone number, address, official seal of the entity, signature of the legal representative or the inviting person, etc.

G Visa

An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region.

J1 Visa

A visa notification letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.

The applicant should first contact the press office of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General to complete the relevant procedures.

Please note:

The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence.

J2 Visa

A visa notification letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or a relevant entity, and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.

The applicant should first contact the press office of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General to complete the relevant procedures.

L Visa

Itinerary documents such as round-trip air ticket booking records and hotel reservations, or an invitation letter issued by an entity or individual in China. The invitation letter must contain the following information:

Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

Information about the invited person's itinerary: dates of arrival and departure, places to visit, etc.;

Information of the inviting entity or the inviting person: name of the inviting entity or name of the inviting person, phone number, address, official seal of the entity, signature of the legal representative or the inviting person, etc.

M Visa

Invitation documents issued by a trade partner in China, such as documents on commercial activities or invitations to economic and trade fairs. The invitation documents must contain the following information:

Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

Information about the invited person's visit to China: reason for coming to China, dates of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting entity or the inviting person, who will pay for the travel, etc.;

Information of the inviting entity or the inviting person: name of the inviting entity or name of the inviting person, phone number, address, official seal of the entity, signature of the legal representative or the inviting person, etc.

Q1 Visa

For family reunion purposes, the following documents are required:

An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with Chinese permanent residence. The invitation letter must contain the following information:

Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

Information about the invited person's visit to China: reason for coming to China, intended date of arrival, intended place of residence, intended duration of residence, relationship with the inviting individual, who will pay for the travel, etc.;

Information of the inviting individual: name, phone number, address, signature of the inviting individual, etc.

A photocopy of the Chinese ID card of the inviting individual, or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner's passport and the permanent residence permit;

The original and a photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certification issued by the public security police station, notarized kinship certificate, etc.) showing the relationship of family members (spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law) between the applicant and the inviting individual.

For foster care purposes, the following documents are required:

A notarized foster care power of attorney issued by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General, or a foster care power of attorney notarized or authenticated in the host country or in China;

The original and a photocopy of the consignor's passport, and certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certification issued by the public security police station, notarized kinship certificate, etc.) showing the kinship between the consignor and the fostered child;

A letter of consent to accept the foster care issued by the trustee, and a photocopy of the trustee's ID card;

Where one or both parents of the fostered child are Chinese citizens, a photocopy of the certificate showing that the parent(s) of Chinese nationality had settled abroad at the time of the child's birth must also be provided.

Please note:

The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence.

Q2 Visa

An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residence. The invitation letter must contain the following information:

Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

Information about the invited person's visit to China: reason for coming to China, dates of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting individual, who will pay for the travel, etc.;

Information of the inviting individual: name, phone number, address, signature of the inviting individual, etc.

A photocopy of the Chinese ID card of the inviting individual, or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner's passport and the permanent residence permit.

R Visa

The applicant shall meet the introduction conditions and requirements for foreign high-level talents and urgently-needed specialists as determined by the relevant competent authorities of the Chinese government, and submit the corresponding certification materials as required.

S1 Visa

The following documents are required:

An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies). The invitation letter must contain the following information:

Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

Information about the invited person's visit to China: reason for coming to China, intended date of arrival, intended place of residence, intended duration of residence, relationship with the inviting individual, who will pay for the travel, etc.;

Information of the inviting individual: name, phone number, address, signature of the inviting individual, etc.

Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page and residence permit;

The original and a photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certification issued by the public security police station, notarized kinship certificate, etc.) showing the kinship (spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law) between the applicant and the inviting individual.

Please note:

The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence.

S2 Visa

For short-term family visits, the following documents are required:

Photocopies of the passport and residence permit of the inviting individual (specifically, a foreigner staying or residing in China for work or studies);

An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual. The invitation letter must contain the following information:

Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

Information about the invited person's visit to China: reason for coming to China, dates of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting individual, who will pay for the travel, etc.;

Information of the inviting individual: name, phone number, address, signature of the inviting individual, etc.

A photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certification issued by the public security police station, notarized kinship certificate, etc.) showing the relationship of family members (spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law) between the applicant and the inviting individual.

In case of other personal affairs, relevant supporting materials shall be provided as required by the consular officers.

X1 Visa

The Admission Letter issued by a school or other admitting entity in China;

The Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

Please note:

The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence.

X2 Visa

The Admission Letter issued by a school or other admitting entity in China.

Z Visa

One of the following is required:

The Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China issued by the human resources and social security authority (the authority that centrally administers the employment of foreign experts); where the work period is no more than 90 days, the applicant must apply for the visa before the start date indicated on the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China, and the work time must not exceed the period indicated therein;

The Registration Certificate of the Resident Representative Office of a Foreign (Regional) Enterprise issued by the market regulation authority;

The approval document for commercial artistic performances issued by the cultural administrative authority (applicable only to applicants coming to China for commercial performances) and the Certificate of Short-term Work for Foreigners in China, in which case the applicant must apply for the visa before the start date indicated on the Certificate of Short-term Work for Foreigners in China, and the performance time must not exceed the period indicated therein;

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

Please note:

The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence, except for those whose visas are marked with “permitted stay of 30 days after entry”.

III. Important Tips

The invitation letter may be a fax, a photocopy or a printout, but the consular officers may require the applicant to provide the original one.

When necessary, the consular officers may require the applicant to provide other supporting documents or supplementary materials, or require the applicant to attend an interview.

The consular officials will decide whether to issue a visa and determine its validity, duration of stay and number of entries according to the applicant's specific circumstances.

For further details, please visit the website of the relevant Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General abroad.

请根据您的赴华主要事由，选择申请相应种类的签证

申请签证时，您需要准备好以下材料：

一、基本申请材料

请按中国驻当地使领馆要求，在线填写签证申请表并提交申请人护照和照片、合法停留或居留证明、原中国护照或原中国签证【具体要求请参考中国签证在线办理系统“签证办理指南”栏目（网址:https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/）或中国驻当地使领馆网站】，以及：

二、其它支持性申请材料

C字签证

外国运输公司出具的担保函或中国境内有关单位出具的邀请函。

D字签证

中国公安部签发的外国人永久居留身份确认表原件及复印件。

请注意：

持证人入境中国后须在30日内向拟居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理居留证件。

F字签证

中国境内有关单位或个人出具的邀请函件。该邀请函须包含以下内容：

（一）被邀请人个人信息：姓名、性别、出生日期等；

（二）被邀请人访问信息：来华事由、抵离日期、访问地点、与邀请单位或邀请人关系、费用来源等；

（三）邀请单位或邀请人信息：邀请单位名称或邀请人姓名、联系电话、地址、单位印章、法定代表或邀请人签字等。

G字签证

赴目的地国家或地区的已确定日期和座位的联程机（车、船）票。

J1字签证

中国外交部新闻司签发的签证通知函及记者所在媒体出具的公函。

申请人应先与中国使领馆新闻处联系，办妥相关手续。

请注意：

持证人入境中国后须在30日内向拟居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理居留证件。

J2字签证

中国外交部新闻司或有关单位的签证通知函及记者所在媒体出具的公函。

申请人应先与中国使领馆新闻处联系，办妥相关手续。

L字签证

往返机票订单和酒店订单等行程材料，或中国境内单位或者个人出具的邀请函件。该邀请函须包含以下内容：

（一）被邀请人个人信息：姓名、性别、出生日期等；

（二）被邀请人行程安排信息：抵离日期、旅游地点等；

（三）邀请单位或邀请人信息：邀请单位名称或邀请人姓名、联系电话、地址、单位印章、法定代表或邀请人签字等。

M字签证

中国境内贸易合作方出具的商务活动文件、经贸交易会请柬等邀请函件。该邀请函须包含以下内容：

1.被邀请人个人信息：姓名、性别、出生日期等；

2.被邀请人访问信息：来华事由、抵离日期、访问地点、与邀请单位或邀请人关系、费用来源等；

3.邀请单位或邀请人信息：邀请单位名称或邀请人姓名、联系电话、地址、单位印章、法定代表或邀请人签字等。

Q1字签证

如系家庭团聚事由，须提供：

（一）居住在中国境内的中国公民或具有中国永久居留资格的外国人出具的邀请函件，该邀请函须包含以下内容：

1.被邀请人个人信息：姓名、性别、出生日期等；

2.被邀请人访问信息：来华事由、拟抵达日期、拟居留地点、拟居留期限、与邀请人关系、费用来源等；

3.邀请人信息：邀请人姓名、联系电话、地址、邀请人签字等。

（二）邀请人的中国身份证复印件或外国人护照及永久居留证复印件；

（三）申请人与邀请人之间的家庭成员关系（配偶、父母、子女、子女的配偶、兄弟姐妹、祖父母、外祖父母、孙子女、外孙子女以及配偶的父母）证明（结婚证、出生证、公安派出所出具的亲属关系证明或亲属关系公证书等）原件和复印件。

如系寄养事由，须提供：

（一）中国驻外使领馆出具的寄养委托公证或经过所在国或中国公证认证的寄养委托书；

（二）委托人的护照原件、复印件及其与被寄养儿童的亲属关系证明（结婚证、出生证、公安派出所出具的亲属关系证明或亲属关系公证书等）；

（三）接受寄养的受托人出具的同意接受寄养函件及身份证复印件；

（四）寄养儿童的父母双方或者一方为中国公民的，还应提供儿童出生时中国籍父母在境外定居证明的复印件。

请注意：

持证人入境中国后须在30日内向拟居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理居留证件。

Q2字签证

Q2 Visa

（一）居住在中国境内的中国公民或具有中国永久居留资格的外国公民出具的邀请函件。该邀请函须包含以下内容：

1.被邀请人个人信息：姓名、性别、出生日期等；

2.被邀请人访问信息：来华事由、抵离日期、访问地点、与邀请人关系、费用来源等；

3.邀请人信息：姓名、联系电话、地址、邀请人签字等。

（二）邀请人的中国身份证复印件或外国人护照及永久居留证复印件。

R字签证

符合中国政府有关主管部门确定的外国高层次人才和急需紧缺专门人才的引进条件和要求，并按照规定提交相应的证明材料。

S1字签证

须提供：

（一）在中国境内居留的外国人出具的邀请函件。该邀请函须包含以下内容：

1.被邀请人个人信息：姓名、性别、出生日期等；

2.被邀请人访问信息：来华事由、拟抵达日期、拟居留地点、拟居留期限、与邀请人关系、费用来源等；

3.邀请人信息：姓名、联系电话、地址、邀请人签字等。

（二）邀请人的护照及居留证件复印件；

（三）申请人与邀请人之间的亲属关系（配偶、父母、未满18周岁的子女、配偶的父母）证明（结婚证、出生证、公安派出所出具的亲属关系证明或亲属关系公证书等）原件和复印件。

请注意：

持证人入境中国后须在30日内向拟居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理居留证件。

S2字签证

如系短期探亲，须提供：

（一）邀请人（具体指因工作、学习等事由在中国境内停留居留的外国人）的护照及居留证件复印件；

（二）邀请人出具的邀请函件。该邀请函须包含以下内容：

1.被邀请人个人信息：姓名、性别、出生日期等；

2.被邀请人访问信息：来华事由、抵离日期、访问地点、与邀请人关系、费用来源等；

3.邀请人信息：姓名、联系电话、地址、邀请人签字等。

（三）申请人与邀请人之间的家庭成员亲属关系（配偶、父母、子女、子女的配偶、兄弟姐妹、祖父母、外祖父母、孙子女、外孙子女以及配偶的父母）证明（结婚证、出生证、公安派出所出具的亲属关系证明或亲属关系公证书等）复印件。

如系私人事务，须根据领事官员要求提供有关私人事务证明材料。

X1字签证

（一）中国境内招收单位出具的录取通知书；

（二）《外国留学人员来华签证申请表》（JW201或JW202表）。

请注意：

持证人入境中国后须在30日内向拟居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理居留证件。

X2字签证

中国境内招收单位出具的录取通知书。

Z字签证

须提供下列证明材料之一：

（一）人力资源社会保障（外国专家工作归口管理）部门签发的《中华人民共和国外国人工作许可通知》；工作期限不超过90日的，申请人须在《中华人民共和国外国人工作许可通知》上注明的起始日期前申请签证，工作时间不能超过《中华人民共和国外国人工作许可通知》所注期限；

（二）市场监督管理部门签发的《外国（地区）企业常驻代表机构登记证明》；

（三）文化行政主管部门签发的营业性文艺演出批件（只适用于来华进行营业性演出的申请人）和《外国人在中国短期工作证明》，且申请人须在《外国人在中国短期工作证明》上注明的起始日期前申请签证，演出时间不能超过《外国人在中国短期工作证明》所注期限；

（四）中国海洋石油总公司签发的《外国人在中华人民共和国从事海上石油作业邀请信》；

请注意：

持证人入境中国后须在30日内向拟居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理居留证件，签证上标注“入境后可停留30天”的除外。

三、特别提示

（一）邀请函可以是传真件、复印件或打印件，但领事官员可以要求申请人提供邀请函原件。

（二）必要时，领事官员可根据情况要求申请人提供其他证明文件或补充材料，或要求申请人接受面谈。

（三）领事官员根据申请人的具体情况决定是否颁发签证及签证的有效期、停留期限和入境次数。

（四）如需了解进一步详情，请查询相关中国驻外使领馆网站。