What is the main purpose of your visit to China and which is  the most appropriate visa category for your application? 

Categories Description of Visa 

Here are the documents you shall prepare before submission of  visa application: 

1. Basic Documents 

(1) Passport

Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity  and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page and the  photo page if it is separate.

(2) Visa Application Form and Photo 

One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken  color passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background  attached

(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to  those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship) 

If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your  citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid  certificates or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status, or  other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant  authorities of the country where you are currently staying.

(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous  Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizensthose who were Chinese citizens  and have obtained foreign citizenship)

If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you  should provide your previous Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its  data page.

If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply  for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any  Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's  data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous  Chinese visa page. (If your name on the current passport differs from that on  the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change.)

2. Supporting Documents 

C Visa 

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

D Visa 

The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for  Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public  Security of China.

We kindly remind you that: 

Holders of D 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 foreigners’ residence permits.

F Visa 

An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual  in China. The invitation should contain:

(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of  birth, etc.)

(2) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit,  arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the  applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for  expenditures)

(3) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name,  contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal  representative or the inviting individual)

G Visa 

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

J1 Visa 

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department  of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by  the media organization for which the journalist works. 

Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate  General in advanceor and complete relevant formalities.

We kindly remind you that: 

Holders of J1 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 foreigners’ residence permits.

J2 Visa 

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department  of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in  China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the  journalist works.

Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese  Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete the required formalities. 

L Visa 

Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking  record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation  letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation  letter should contain:

(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of  birth, etc.)

(2) Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure  dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)

(3) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name,  contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal  representative or the inviting individual)

M Visa 

(1) Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade  partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued  by relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain:

(a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of  birth, etc.) 

(b) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit,  arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the  applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for  expenditures)

(c) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name,  contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal  representative or the inviting individual)

Q1 Visa 

For family reunion, the following documents are required: 

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a  foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China.  The invitation letter should contain:

(a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of  birth, etc.)

(b) Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended  arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence,  arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting  entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)

(c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact  telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative  or the inviting individual, etc.)

(2) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or  foreign passport and permanent residence permit.

(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage  certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public  Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the  relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.

“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters,  spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons,  granddaughters and parents-in-law.

For foster care, the following documents are required: 

(1)Foster entrustment notarization issued by Chinese  Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of  Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China

(2)Original and photocopy of the consignor’s passport(s), as  well as the original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate,  birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau  or notarized certification of kinship) notarized and authenticated  certification showing the relationship between parents or guardians and  children.

(3) A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee  living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy  of the ID of the trustee.

(4) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent  residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, provided  that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.

We kindly remind you that: 

Holders of Q1 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 foreigners’ residence permits.

Q2 Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a  foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China.  The invitation letter should contain:

a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of  birth, etc.)

b) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and  departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and  the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)

c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact  number, address, signature etc.) 

(2) Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent  residence permit of the inviting individual

R Visa 

The applicant should submit relevant certification in  accordance with relevent regualtions, and meet the relevant requirements of  the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high-level talents and  individualnel with special skills urgently needed by China,

S1 Visa 

(1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a  foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains: 

a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of  birth, etc.)

b) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and  departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant  and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact  telephone number, address, signature, etc.) 

(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence  permit

(3)Original and photocopy of certification (marriage  certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public  Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the  relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting  individual.

“immediate family members ” refers to spouses, parents, sons  or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law.

We kindly remind you that: 

Holders of 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 foreigners’ residence permits.

S2 Visa 

For visiting family members for a short period, the following  documents are required:

(1)An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a  foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:

a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of  birth, etc.)

b) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and  departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and  the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone  number, address, signature, etc.) 

(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual’s (a foreigner who  stays or lives in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit

(3) Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth  certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship  of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons,  daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons,  granddaughters and parents-in-law. 

For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of  the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer. 

X1 Visa 

(1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a  school or other entities in China. 

(2) Original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in  China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

We kindly remind you that: 

Holders of X1 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 foreigners’ residence permits.

X2 Visa 

Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school  or other entities in China Note: Some countries need to provide original and  photocopy of the Admission Letter. (Form JW201 or Form JW202)

Z Visa 

One of the following documents: 

(1) Foreigners Employment Permit of the People’s Republic of  China issued by Chinese government authorities for Human Resources and Social  Security, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or  Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.

(2) Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the  State Bureau of Foreign Experts as well as Invitation Letter of Duly  Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant  Chinese entities.

(3) Registration Certificate of Resident Representative  Offices of enterprises of foreign countries(regions) issued by Chinese  authorities of industrial and commercial administration, as well as  Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of  Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities as well as Invitation Letter  of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by  relevant Chinese entities.

(4) An approval document for commercial performances issued by  the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs or Invitation Letter  of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by  relevant Foreign Affairs Office of provincial governments of China.

(5)Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum  Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;

We kindly remind you that: 

Holders of Z 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 foreigners’ residence permits.

3. Special Reminder 

(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy  or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to  submit the original of the invitation letter..

(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the  applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or  require an interview with the applicant.

(3) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to  issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in  light of specific conditions of the applicant. 

(4) For further details, please visit the web-site of the  relevant Chinese Embassy or Consulate General