1.General Provisions
A visa is a travel document issued by authorized government agencies to foreign citizens applying to enter, exit from or transit through the host country's territory based on the host country's laws and regulations.
In accordance with international law and practice, any sovereign state is entitled to decide on whether or not to allow a foreign citizen to enter or exit from its territory, and whether to issue a visa, decline a visa application or to cancel an issued visa in accordance with its national laws.
In accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, Chinese visa authorities shall determine the type, number of entries, validity period and duration of stay of visas in accordance with laws and relevant regulations, and have the right to reject an applicant’s visa application or revoke an issued visa.
2.Visa-issuing Authorities
Embassies and consulates of the People’s Republic of China and other institutions stationed abroad entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be responsible for issuance of entry visas to foreigners.
Eligible applicants for Article 20 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China，may apply for port visas with the visa-issuing authorities entrusted by the Ministry of Public Security at the ports which are approved to issue port visas by the State Council.
3.Visa Categories
Chinese Visas are categorized as diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, official visa and ordinary visa. Ordinary visas are subdivided :
Visa Categories | Description of Visa |
C | Issuedto foreign crew members ofmeans ofinternationaltransportation,including aircraft, trains and ships, ormotor vehicle drivers engagedin cross-border transport activities, or to theaccompanying familymembers of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships. |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges,visits,study tours andother activities. |
G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. |
J1 | Issuedto resident foreign journalists of foreign newsorganizations stationedin China.Theintended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. |
J2 | Issuedto foreign journalists who intend to go to China forshort-term newscoverage.The intended duration of stayin China is no more than 180 days. |
L | Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist. |
M | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial andtrade activities. |
Q1 | Issuedto those who are family members of Chinese citizens or offoreignerswith Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China forfamilyreunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose offostercare. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. "Familymembers" refers to spouses, parents, sons,daughters, spouses of sons ordaughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents,grandsons, granddaughtersand parents-in-law. |
Q2 | Issuedto those who intend to visit their relatives who areChinese citizensresiding in China or foreigners with permanent residence inChina. Theintended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. |
R | Issued to those who are high-level talentsor whose skills are urgently needed in China. |
S1 | Issuedto those who intend to go to China to visit theforeigners working orstudying in China to whom they are spouses, parents,sons or daughtersunder the age of 18 or parents-in-law,or to those who intend to go toChinafor other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in Chinaexceeds 180days. |
S2 | Issuedto those who intend to visit theirfamily members who areforeignersworking or studying in China,or to those who intend to go to China forother privatematters.The intended duration of stay in China is no morethan 180 days. "Familymembers" refers to spouses, parents, sons,daughters, spouses of sonsor daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents,grandsons, granddaughtersand parents-in-law. |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period ofmore than 180 days. |
X2 | Issued to those whointendto study in China for aperiod of no more than 180 days. |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China. |
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4.(I) Hong Kong SAR Visa
1. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region grants visa-free treatment to nationals of certain countries and regions (for details, please refer to: http://www.immd.gov.hk/sc/services/hk-visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html#part2).
2. Foreign nationals not eligible for visa-free entry to Hong Kong SAR must apply for a Hong Kong SAR visa.
(II) Macao SAR Visa
1. The Macao Special Administrative Region grants visa-free treatment to nationals of certain countries and regions (for details, please click: https://www.gov.mo/zh-hans/services/ps-1474/ps-1474b/#6).
2. Except for nationals of a small number of specified countries, foreign nationals not eligible for visa-free entry may in principle apply for a visa-on-arrival at Macao SAR ports of entry.
Foreign nationals applying to travel to the Chinese Mainland, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR at the same time must obtain a Mainland visa, a Hong Kong SAR visa and a Macao SAR visa respectively.
5.Visa Validity
Visa Validity ("Enter Before") means that the visa is valid, or can be used for entering into China from the date of issue to the "Enter Before" (Beijing Time) date indicated on the visa . If a visa has unused entries, the bearer can enter China by 24:00 o’clock (Beijing Time) of the expiration date.
6.Visa Entries
"Visa Entries" refers to the number of times the bearer is permitted to enter China during the validity of a visa.
A visa becomes invalid if there are no entries left, or there are entries left but the visa validity expires. If a visa becomes invalid, its bearer must apply for a new visa before entering China. Traveling with an invalid visa to China will result in refusal of entry.
7.Duration of Each Stay
"Duration of Each Stay" refers to the maximum number of days the visa bearer is permitted to stay in China each time, which is calculated from the second day of entry into China.
8.Residence of Foreigners
Holders of Z, X1, D, J1, Q1, S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigner’s residence permits.
Members of foreign diplomatic or consular missions in China must apply for a residence permit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or local foreign affairs departments within 30 days of entry into China.