Chinese Visa Application
All UK citizens must have a valid visa before travelling to China.
Most common visa types are tourist and business visas, however the exact type of visa will be as per the purpose of your trip
A single-entry visa can be applied by post, however for multiple entry applications, a visit to the embassy is mandatory for biometric submission. Applicants aged between 14 and 70 and exempt. Our simplified Chinese visa application service will assist you throughout the process.
Select the Type of China Visa Application
How can we help- Professional consultation throughout the process
- Application Form completion & Verification of documents
- Daily submission at the embassy
- Personal assistance at the embassy for biometrics
Visa for China: All you need to know
A visa issued by the Chinese embassy is needed for every foreign national to enter China. However, citizens of Singapore, Brunei, and Japan can visit China freely without any visas, if he/she visits the country or tourism, business, or meeting with friends or relatives.
If travellers from these countries are planning to stay in China for more than 15 days, then taking a Chinese visa application is a must.
There are different types of Chinese visas available for UK citizens, and each one will be having a letter to identify it. For example, L-visa indicates that the person who travels to China is either an independent tourist or a group member in a tourist group. Even though China has classified seventeen such types of visas, the most common ones being the tourist visa (L-visa) and business visa (M-visa).
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It should be also noted that any application for China visa made by email will not be accepted. Visa applications can be also made by sending the request to the Chinese embassy via post, where they will charge an extra fee.
As rules are very strict, China visas should be submitted and collected in person either directly by the applicant or by a committed third party like Visa Genie.
Tourist Visa
Chinese tourist visas, also known as L-visas, allow foreign nationals to travel freely in the country as a tourist.
In usual cases, tourists get a single-entry L-visa visa with a stay duration of 30 days.
However, citizens from the UK, US, Canada, and Argentina can apply for a 10-year tourist visa, and it will allow citizens of these countries to enter China multiple times within the validity period, thus avoiding the hassles of applying for visas again and again.
For tourists, a 10-year visa will allow the foreign nationals to stay a maximum of 60 days per entry.
Note: While traveling in a group, the foreign national will not get an individual visa, and in these cases, a group visa will be issued with the names of all travelers in it.
Documents that should be submitted while applying for China L-visa
While applying for a tourist visa, the applicant should submit the original passport with at least six months' validity and two blank pages for visa stamps.
The visa application form along with a recent color passport photo should be also submitted.
The applicant should also make sure that the Chinese visa application form is duly signed.
The foreign national should produce the round-trip ticket booking record and proof of a hotel reservation.
The traveler should also submit the invitation letter sent by a Chinese entity with all necessary details including name, contact number, address, official stamp, and the signature of the inviting individual.
For children under the age of 18
If a minor under the age of 18 is applying for a Chinese visa, then a parent should complete and sign section 05 of the visa application form.
The applicant should also submit the below-mentioned documents.
Original and copy of the long birth certificate. The original passport of both the parents along with a copy of their information page should be submitted.
If you are traveling with your family with a child under the age of six, you should submit the birth certificate of the child.
Wishing to visit Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau?
If the applicant intends to visit Tibet during the Chinese visit, the foreign national must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, which will be available from the Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region.
Even though Hong Kong and Macau are two special administrative regions of China, these regions maintain their own independent borders and have their own visa requirements.
If you want to travel to Hong Kong and Macau during the China visit, you should apply for separate visas for visiting these regions.
However, for the UK passport holders, separate visas are not required to travel to Hong Kong and Macau if the traveler is visiting for less than 90 days.
Tourist Chinese visa application procedure for non-UK citizens
If you are a non-British citizen living in the United Kingdom, then you should provide proof of legal status, like the original and photocopy of your valid certificates of residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal stay provided by relevant authorities within the UK.
Chinese visa application process for current or previous China visa holders
Previous China visa holders must submit the current or canceled passport that contains the most recently issued China visa along with a copy of the last issued China visa (expired or valid).
You will also require a personal statement requesting to cancel a valid China visa should be submitted.
Tourist visas for media personals and religious workers
Applicants who work as media professionals or religious workers in the United Kingdom should submit a personal statement from their employer.
This personal statement should detail the designation of the applicant in the company, the nature of their operations, and the need for visiting China.
The statement should also assure that the applicant will not engage in any kind of media-related or religious activities during the stay in China.
Business visa
An M-visa, popularly known as a
China business visa, is issued to people who visit China for commercial trading activities like trade fares, visiting their business clients, signing contracts, etc.
In usual cases, the validity period of an M-visa will be 90 days.
Chinese business visas can be obtained by submitting the application to the consular office of Chinese embassies using the services of entrusted agents like Visa Genie.
For foreign nationals from countries like UK, India, Singapore, and Australia, the application should be submitted to the Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC).
As per China M-visa rules, the applicant should submit either the invitation letter issued by the Chinese business partner or invitation letter of a trade fair.
How to easily fill the China business visa application form?
The applicant should write the full name, date of birth, passport number, and other details without any errors.
The foreign national should detail the nature of the business visit that includes, purpose, arrival and departure dates, and the places which will be visited.
Information about the Chinese inviting entity should be also provided and it includes the name, contact number, address, signature.
Emergency business visa
Emergency business visas are available for foreign nationals, except the citizens of the United States and France.
There are two scenarios in which a foreign national is entitled to apply for an emergency China visa (visa on arrival issued at entry ports):
If you need to rush to China without sufficient time to apply for a visa through proper channels.
If your trip is solely concentrated on these designated areas: Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Xiamen, and Hainan Province.
Student visa
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China student visa is also known as X-visa. A student visa is classified into two types, X1 and X2. X1 visa is issued to foreign students who are planning to study in China for more than six months.
On the other hand, X2 visas are provided to students who will study in China for less than six months.
It should be noted that X2 visas are issued for single entry, while X1 visas can be used for multiple entries and the validity may extend up to five years.
Documents needed to apply for China student visa
Apart from submitting the passport, photograph, and the completed Chinese visa application form, the student should submit the original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in PRC.
If the student intends to spend more than six months in China, then he/she should provide the original and photocopy of Visa Application for Study in China.
Non-commerce visa
Non-commerce China visa also known as F-visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit China for non-commercial activities like a study tour, research, or lecture.
In usual cases, non-commerce visas offer single or double entry and the validity of the visa may range from 30 to 90 days.
Documents should be submitted while applying for a non-commerce visa
Along with the passport, completed Chinese visa application form, and the photograph, the applicant should submit the letter of invitation from a company, institute, or relevant entity in China.
The applicant should make sure that the name, phone number, and the full address of the inviting company is mentioned in this invitation letter.
It is also recommended to state the relationship between the foreign national and the Chinese inviter. A letter of invitation from the Chinese Foreign Ministry is also accepted.
Work visa
China work visa is issued to people who visit the Chinese mainland for a paid job offer.
People who plan to visit China for commercial entertainment performances can also apply for a work visa which is also known as Z-visa.
In China, the most common job done by foreigners is teaching English.
The minimum qualification to do this job are having English as a first language, having at least a bachelor’s degree, and two years of relevant teaching experience.
Note: It should be noted that foreign domestic helpers are not permitted to work in China. Some people are apparently working as domestic helpers in China using L-visa and F-visa, and this is an illegal practice as per Chinese laws.
How many days a foreign national can stay with a China work visa?
The initial Z-visa issued to foreign nationals should be just 30 days. Within this time period, your Chinese employer should procure a temporary residence permit which may range from a minimum of 90 days to a maximum of 5 years.
In usual cases, work visas will offer an only single entry, and the duration of the stay will be determined as per the temporary residence permit.
Is there any age limit for availing Z-visa?
Foreign nationals who apply for a Chinese visa should be aged between 18 to 60. However, if you are don’t fall within this age bracket, and the employer is keen to take you on board, there are provisions that can be utilized to hire you by providing a China work visa.
China work visa requirements
A passport and a completed visa application form along with a recent photograph should be submitted.
The applicant should submit the work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC.
An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities.
Supporting documents like the medical report and criminal history check should be also submitted.
Transit visa
Popularly known as G-Visa, a transit visa allows a foreign national to transit through the Chinese mainland, while traveling to another destination country.
In usual cases, the validity of a transit visa will be three months and the allowed duration of each stay will range from seven to 10 days.
However, citizens of 53 countries including United Kingdom nationals can enjoy 24 hours, 72 hours, and 144 hours visa-free transit.
It should be noted that 144- hours of visa-free transit is limited to Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Liaoning.
The documents needed to apply for a transit visa is just the same as a tourist visa (L-visa).
Private visit visa
Private visit visas often called among travelers as S-visa or dependent visas are solely dedicated to foreign nationals who visit China for private affairs.
These visas are usually issued to family members of foreign nationals who work or study in China. A foreign national can also avail a private visa for attending private ceremonies like marriages and can also use the same of visiting the country for medical treatment.
China has classified private visas into two types: S1 and S2 visas. In S1 visas, the intended duration of the stay will be more than 180 days, while in S2 visas, it will be less than 180 days.
However, the initial maximum duration of stay for private visit visas will be just 30 days, and if the foreign national wishes to stay more, he or she should take a temporary residence permit.
It should be noted that the temporary residence permit can be taken up to five years, and it can be used to travel to and from China anytime the traveler wishes.
Along with the passport which has two blank pages, the Chinese visa application form, and a photograph, the applicant should submit an invitation letter from the foreigner who works or studies in China.
It should be noted that the invitation letter should contain complete information about the applicant that includes, name, date of birth, gender, etc. The applicant should also share complete information about the visit including purpose, duration of the stay, etc.
Family reunion visa
A family reunion visa, also known as Q-visa, is usually issued to the relatives of Chinese citizens or foreign nationals who live in China with permanent residence permits.
Q-visa is classified into two categories, Q1 and Q2. Q2 visa allows the visitor to stay in China for less than 180 days, while the Q1 visa allows the foreign national to live in the Chinese mainland for more than 180 days.
Just like all other visas, the applicant should submit the original passport with at least six months' validity along with the completed application form and photograph.
To obtain a visa, the foreign national should also provide the invitation letter from the Chinese entity.
It should be noted that the invitation letter should contain complete information about the inviter that includes the full name of the Chinese entity, address, gender, date of birth, etc.
Purpose of visit, intended arrival, and departure date, the relation of the applicant to the inviting entity, etc. should be also mentioned in the invitation letter.
China talent visa
High-level personals who live in foreign countries can apply for a Chinese talent visa, which is also known as R-visa.
In normal cases, these high-level personals will be provided with a multiple entry visa with a validity of five or ten years.
By providing China talent visas, the Chinese government aims to proclaim that the country offers a friendly environment for foreign citizens to work and flourish.
Criteria to consider as a high-level personal
All foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for a China talent visa. The criteria to apply for R-visa is mentioned below, and the applicant should fulfill at least one of the conditions.
First and foremost, the Chinese government should understand that the applicant is highly-skilled or talented in a particular area where the country is facing a shortage of its own citizens.
The applicant should be selected to join China’s talent introduction programs accredited by talent management authorities.
The applicant should be recognized internationally for his contributions, like winning the Nobel prize and other honors.
The high-level personal should truthfully complete the Chinese visa application form and should also submit the passport along with a color photo. The applicant should also obtain the confirmation letter for high-level foreign talents from China’s provincial-level Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs.
China journalist visas
Journalist visas, also known as J-visa are issued to foreign media personals who wish to visit China for their professional purposes.
Chinese authorities have classified journalist visas into two types: J1 and J2. J1 visas are usually given to resident journalists, while J2 visas are issued to media personals who will stay in the country for only a short period of time.
Journalist visas are generally considered specialist visas, and as a result, the applicant should meet several requirements including invitations from the Chinese media authorities.
These media personals should take special permission if they wish to carry filming equipment like a camera to China. If the applicant gets a J1 visa, he or she should apply for a temporary residence permit soon, as the initial validity of this visa will be just 30 days.
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