China visa information

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Chinese Visa Overview

Even before you apply for a Chinese visa, you’ll need to decide on the type of visa you need and make sure you fully understand the application procedures and the documents needed. In this section, we walk you through the different Chinese visa types. We will have more updates on FAQs section.

Types	Categories	Typical Applicants	Brief Description
Tourism	L	Tourism	Independent tourist or Group member
Visiting	F	Non-commercial activities	Academic, cultural, religious exchanges, Non-profit performance, NGO activities, Volunteering (90 days or less), Foreign expert with pre-approved letters of invitation, Geographic surveying and mapping activities
Visiting	M	Commercial activities	Trade; Participation in Competition and other commercial activities
Re-Union	Q1	Family member or relative of Chinese citizen(s) or foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China	Family member of Chinese citizen applying for residence in China for family reunion; Family member of foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China who is applying for residence in China for a family reunion; Residence visa for child to be fostered in China
Re-Union	Q2		Relative of Chinese citizen(s) living in China applying for a visa for visit less than 180 days; Relative of foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China applying for a visa for visit less than 180 days
Private	S1	Family member of foreigner(s) or person who needs to come to China for personal matters	Spouse, parent, child under the age of 18 or parent-in-law of foreigner(s) residing in China for work, study or other purposes who visit China for 180 days or more; Person who needs to reside in China for other personal matters
Private	S2		Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes who visit China for less than 180 days; Applying for a visa to stay in China for other personal matters, such as handling litigation, inheritance, real estate or medical treatment
Working	Z	Employee	Foreign expert working in China; For commercial performance; Chief representative or representative of a foreign company; Offshore oil operations; Volunteering (more than 90 days); Foreigner working in China with a Work Permit issued by the Chinese government authorities
Student	X1	Study or training	Long term study (more than 180 days)
Student	X2	Study or training	Short term study (no more than 180 days)
Journalist	J1	Journalist	Resident foreign journalist of permanent office of a foreign news agency in China
Journalist	J2	Journalist	Foreign journalist visiting China for short-term news coverage
Crew	C	Crew member	Crew member performing duties on board an international train; Crew member performing duties on board an international aircraft; Crew member performing duties on board an international vessel or accompanying family member; Vehicle driver engaged in international transportation services
Transit	G	Transit	Transit through China
PR	D	Permanent residence	Person coming to China to take up permanent residence
Talent	R	High talent or specialist	Foreigner of high talent or specialist needed by the State

Visa Application Basics

Internship Visa:: To undertake an internship in China, you must only enter China with a private or L visa converted & endorsed with 'Internship' with the support of letters from host.
Working Visa:: To work in China, you must already hold a Z entry visa (with Work Permit Notice as prerequisite) or transfer within China your other types of visa into working residence permit (with Work Permit Card as prerequisite)
Your Passport:: You must hold a current passport valid for more than 6 months.
Actual Visa Processing Time:: Chinese visas normally take 5-7 working days provided all documents are ready and correct. Fast services are avaiable at most of the Chinese embassy offices.