Introduction to Chinese Visas for Foreign Nationals

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.


China's Visa Authorities are:

(1) Chinese diplomatic missions, consular posts, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and other resident organizations authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for handling visa applications by foreign citizens for entry into and transit through mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.

(2) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local foreign affairs offices authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for issuance, change and extension of diplomatic and official visas and for issuance of residence permit to holders of diplomatic and official visas.

(3) The Ministry of Public Security and the local public security bureaus authorized by the Ministry of Public Security are responsible for inspection on entry and exit of foreigners, issuance of visas at the port of entry, extension and change of ordinary visas, and issuance of residence permit to holders of ordinary visas, who are already in China.

(4) The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is responsible for matters relating to foreigners' entry into and exit from the Hong Kang Special Administrative Region. Its Website address: http://www.immd.gov.hk

(5) The Department of Identification of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Unless visa exempted according to bilateral agreements, a foreigner may apply for a visa to enter Macao upon arrival at the Port of Entry. Website address of the Department of Identification: http://www.dsi.gov.mo

Period of validity of a visa
The period of validity of a visa refers to the period of validity of the visa itself. The holder of a visa is eligible to enter China at any time prior to the expiry of its period of validity (allowed to enter China even before the 24th hour of the last date of its period of validity), so long as the entries granted on the visa have not been used up.
A visa becomes effective from the date of issuance. The visa automatically becomes invalid once its period of validity expires regardless of whether its entries are used up or not.
Chinese embassies and consulates general do not extend the period of validity of an issued visa. Holder of an issued visa should apply for a new visa if he or she intends to visit China after the expiry of the issued visa. Foreigners holding an expired visa shall be refused entry into China. Make sure the visa is valid before you set off for China.

Number of Entry of a Visa
The number of entry on a visa refers to the number of times the visa holder is permitted to enter China within the visa's period of validity. When the entries are all used up, the visa is not valid any more. Even if there are still unused entries，the visa is not valid either if its period of validity has already expired. In either case, the visa holder should apply for a new visa if he or she intends to visit China again.
You shall be refused entry into China if you hold a visa with entries already used up.
Duration of Stay of a Visa
Duration of stay of a visa refers to the longest period the visa holder is allowed to stay in China from the date of entry into China on each visit.

After entry into China, a foreign citizen who needs to stay in China longer than the duration of stay on the visa must apply for an extension of stay at a local public security bureau before the expiry of the duration of stay on the visa. This does not necessarily mean your application for the extension of stay will for certain be approved. The applicant shall bear any consequences arising therefrom.

Overstay in China violates the laws and regulations of China on control of the entry and exit of foreigners, and could be fined or punished with other penalties.


Visas for foreigners
The ordinary visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are marked with Chinese phonetic letters (C, D, F, G, J-1, J-2, L, X, Z respectively).
Visa C - For crews of airplanes, trains and ships who are on regular visits to China. Their accompanying family members are issued with the same type of visa.
Visa D - For permanent residence in China.
Visa F - For those who come to China for a business trip, a lecture, or for cultural, scientific or technological exchanges.
Visa G - For stopover's in China.
Visa J-1 - For foreign resident journalists in China
Visa J-2 - For foreign journalists who come to China to gather news.
Visa L - For sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives or to deal with some private matters.
Visa X - For those who come to study in China, or practice as interns for more than 6 months.
Visa Z - For those who come to work in China and to their accompanying families.

We can look after the issues and complications of Chinese tourist (L) visa, business (F) and working visas (Z) as well as associated permits for expatriates. We are here to help and ease the problems and reduce time in applying for visas and work permits.

Invitation Letter
If you wish to come to China for business or work, it is required that an official invitation letter from the appropriate authorized organization be provided at the time of application in Chinese embassies /consulates or China visa office in Hongkong.

We can assist you with obtaining the letter of invitation required for a business visa (F) or work visa (Z) application. It takes one working day (three working days for a one-year visa) to process the invitation letter which we will then email or fax back or door-to-door deliver the original copy to you. We can provide invitation letters for the following types of business (F) visa:

90 day single entry
90 day double entry
180 day multiple entry
360 day multiple entry

Note that double and multiple entry visas usually have a limit of 30 days on the duration of each stay in China. However, this limit can be removed after you arrive in China—contact us for more details. Once the limit is removed you can stay in China up to the date of expiry.

Visa Renewal　
If you enter into China on a tourist (L) visa, a business (F) visa or a work (Z) visa, and want to stay in China for longer than the stay time limit or validity period specified on the current visa, you can apply for the newel of your visa at the Ministry of Public Security and its affiliates at the provincial or city level, these affiliates are collectively known as Public Security Bureaus (PSB). There are some types of renewals you can choose, also there are some restrictions you may need to know when you apply for the visa renewals.


Visa Conversion　
Under some circumstances, one type of visa can be changed into another type, for example, from L visa to F visa, or from L / F visa into Z visa. This could be done within China.

Tommy China Business Consulting based on ShenZhen China can Provide professional visa service: L/F/Z visa Extension & Conversion. We are familiar with the application procedures and the applicable chinese law. We can look after the issues and complications of obtaining relevant visa.