China Visa: Getting a Visa to China

China Visa - Getting a Visa to China

- Carson Block & Kathy Block, China Primer

This article describes the different types of Chinese Visas that a foreigner can obtain, the process of obtaining a Chinese Visa for your business trip to China and how to get Chinese Visas for your expat employees once your business is established.

Types of Chinese Visas

Below is a summary of the different types of Chinese visas that can be obtained for travel and entry into China as stated on the People’s Republic of China Embassy in the United States of America website (http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/)

Crew (C) Visa – Issued to crewmembers to perform duties on board an international train, airline or other vessel, and their accompanying family members

Resident (D) Visa – Issued to an alien who comes to reside permanently in China

Business (F) Visa – 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

Transit (G) Visa – Issued to an alien who transits through China

J-1 Visa – Issued to foreign correspondents in China

J-2 Visa – Issued to foreign journalists who make short trips to China on reporting tasks

Tourist (L) Visa – Issued to an alien who comes to China for sight-seeing, family visiting or other private purposes

Study (X) Visa – Issued to an alien who comes to China for study, advanced studies or internship for a period of more than six months

Employment/Work (Z) Visa – Issued to an alien who comes to China for a post or employment, and his or her accompanying family members

Obtaining a Chinese Visa for your Business Visit

The most common types of Visas for China are the F (business), L (tourist) and Z (work) visas. Most people entering China for business purposes need business (F) visas. China F visas are valid up to six months and allow for a maximum length stay of 30 days. You can choose either a single-, double- or multiple-entry option.

The People's Republic of China Embassy in the United States requires the following documents when applying for a Business (F) visa:

Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it.
Application form: One completed Visa Application Form (Q1)
Photo: one passport photo (black & white or color is acceptable) glued or stapled on the application form.
Non-US passport bearers shall provide documents that entitle them to reside or work for an extended period of time in the US.
An applicant who was born in China is required to submit his /her Chinese passport or last foreign passport with a Chinese visa when he/she applies for a Chinese visa with a new foreign passport.
Round trip air tickets and hotel reservation.
A Visa Notification issued by an authorized Chinese unit. The invitation letter is a PRC government issued document from either the local Foreign Affairs Office or Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Commission. Please note that the original invitation letter is required at the time the visa application.

Obtaining a Visa for your Expat Employees

Once your business has been established (either as a WOFE or Rep Office), it’s quite easy to get a resident permit visa and work permit visa for yourself, your expatriate employees and their families.

Below is a description of the steps involved in the process:

Your employees take an invitation letter from your company (or your rep office’s sponsor) to their closest Chinese consulate or embassy and apply for a single entry 30 day Z visa

Upon arrival, they go to the nearest police station and complete a household registration form for themselves and each family member

They complete a health exam within a 30-day period

They go to a local labor bureau with a copy of your company’s business license or rep office registration certificate and some other documents to receive their employment certificates within 30 days of entering China

After getting the employment certificate, they go to the local Public Security Bureau to apply for residence permits

Don’t Overextend Your Visa!

Up until earlier this year, it was easy to extend or change your visa while you were still in China. As part of the recent security measures leading up to the Olympic games, the government has been tightening up on the issuance of both Tourist and Business visas. For an update on the current situation with the issuance of F visas, click here.

Do make sure you leave China BEFORE your visa expires (not just on the day that it expires). Overstaying your visa could result in penalties up to 500 RMB per day!

Below are links to websites that offer more information on obtaining visas for China.