| Chinese Visa Information
To travel in China, citizens of virtually all other
countries need a visa. Getting a Chinese visa is easy for Western
tourists, as you don't need an invitation, for example. Chinese Visa is
quite cheap compared to other countries' visa fees, with approximately
20€ (200 Chinese RMB) for one Visa. The usual tourist single-entry
Chinese visa is valid for thirty days and must be used within three
months after it was issued. In some cases, it is possible to obtain a
visa on arrival to China, but it is recommended to get your visa in
advance.
A Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese visa
authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from or transit through
China. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy,
Service or Ordinary Visa to an alien according to his status, purpose of
visit to China or passport type. The Ordinary Visa consists of eight
sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic
letters C, D, F, G, J-1, J-2, L, X and Z.
Chinese Visa Categories
(L) Type Chinese Visa: Visa for visitors to
China
Chinese (L) Visa is issued to an alien who comes to
China for sightseeing or visiting family members/friends. Usually the
validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry (L) visa is 90 days or 180
days from the date of issue. This means the holder of a Chinese L type
visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date
of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. The
duration of stay of an (L) visa is 30 days, which means the holder of
the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. The
Chinese visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant
needs and requests a stay in China for more than 30 days.
(F) Type Chinese Visa: Visa for doing
business in China
(F) Visa is issued to an alien who is invited to China
for a visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business,
scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term advanced
studies or internship for a period of no more than six months. Usually,
the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry (F) visa is 90 days or
180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall
enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue,
otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. The duration of stay
of a (F) visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in
China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. The visa officer may
extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay
in China for more than 30 days.
(Z) Type Chinese Visa: Visa for working in
China
(Z) Visa is issued to an alien who comes to China for
a post or employment, and his/her accompanying family members. (Z) visa
is valid for one entry, three months. The holder of a (Z) visa shall go
through residential formalities in the local public security department
within thirty days of entry into China.
Any person suffering from mental disorder, leprosy,
AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such
infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China.
(X) Type Chinese Visa: Visa for studying in
China
(X) Visa is issued to an alien who comes to China for
study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of more than six
months. An alien who comes to China to study, short-term advanced
studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months shall
apply for a (F) Visa. Generally, (X) visa is valid for one entry, three
months. American citizens may apply multiple entry (X) visas valid for
12 months, and the application fee is $150. The holder of a (X) visa
must go through residential formalities in the local public security
department within thirty days of entry into China. |