How to Apply for Chinese Visas

MENUE

Categories	Brief Introduction	More ...
Tourist Visa	For sightseeing, visiting family or friends	Pickup, Visa Fees and Payments
Business Visa	For business, invited by Chinese partner or trainees to stay in China for less than 6 months	Frequently Asked Questions
Student Visa	For aliens studying in China for more than 6 months	Attention to Your Chinese Visa
Employment Visa	For employed aliens who will work in China for more than 6 months	Visa Samples
Transit Visa	For aliens who are in transit China to other countries or regions.	Guidance for Visa Agents
Journalist Visa	For journalists	Office Hours, Locations and Contact
Residence Visa	For aliens intending to reside in China permanently
Visas for Train Attendants, Air Crew Members and Seamen	For train attendants, air crew members and seamen
Diplomatic or Service Visa	For official or diplomatic passport holders
Documents for Children of Chinese Citizens born in U.S.
Visas or Entry Permits for Hong Kong or Macau SAR

T ourist Visaourist Visa

(L-Visa)

　　　 Tourist visas are generally issued to applicants who intend to visit China for sightseeing, visiting family or friends.
　　　　　　

　　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled out Visa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) . no item should be blank or alterd.

　　　 2. One recently taken 2X2 inch photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. Former Chinese visa records (if any, together with their copies).

　　　 5. U.S citizens may apply for a single, double-entry visa valid for 3 months or a multi-entry tourist visa valid for 12 months. If people apply for a multi-entry tourist visa for 12 months their passports should be valid for at least 18 months.

　　　 6. An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with his or her new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.

　　　 7. A child of Chinese descent and born in foreign country who applies for a Chinese visa for the first time is required to submit his or her Birth Certificate and foreign passport or foreign permanent resident permit (e.g Green Card) of one of his or her parents.

　　　 8. Non-US citizens shall provide documents valid for at least 6 months that entitles them to reside for an extended period of time in the US, Such as a Green card, work or study visa (together with their copies). Temporary visitors to the US should apply for a Chinese visa in their own country. For the special case, the visa officer has the rights to make the final decision on whether issuing a visa or not.

　　　　9. An approval notice from China Tibet Tourism Bureau is required if you intend to travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region (Telephone number for the Tourism Bureau: 86-891-6834313, fax number: 86-891-6834632).

　　　 10. Other files consuls request.　　　

　　　 No visa application can be done through mail, email, Internet, or any express delivery service such as UPS, FedEx, etc. Visa application should be submitted and picked up by the applicant or someone else entrusted.

　　　 Visa Pickup, Fees and Payments

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

B usiness Visa usiness Visa

(F-visa)

　　　 Business visas are generally issued to applicants who intend to visit China on business invited by Chinese partner and trainees to stay in China for less than 6 months.

　　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled out Visa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) .no item should be blank or alterd.

　　　 2. One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. Former business visa (F-visa) records (if any, together with their copies).

　　　 5. Visa conformation letter from an economic and trade bureau or a foreign affairs office of the provincial or municipal government.

　　　　6.U.S. citizen may apply for a single, double-entry visa valid for 3 months or a multiple-entry F-visa valid for 12 months. A letter from the Chinese counterpart or foreign employee is required, stating that he or she will visit China frequently and need a multi-entry visa; Original passport should be valid at least 18 months beyond the date of application for those who apply for 12 months visa.

　　　 7. An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.

　　　 8. Non-US citizens shall provide documents valid for at least 6 months that entitle them to reside for an extended period of time in the US , Such as a Green card, work or study visa (together with their copies). Temporary visitors to the US should apply for a Chinese visa in their own country. For the special case, the visa officer has the rights to make the final decision on whether issuing a visa or not.　　　

9. Other files consuls request.

　　　Reminder:

　　　　 No visa application can be done through mail, email, internet, or any express delivery service such as UPS, FedEx, etc. Visa application should be submitted and picked up by the applicant or someone else entrusted.

　　　 Visa Pickup, Fees and Payments

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

S tudent Visatudent Visa

(X-visa)

　　　 Student visas are generally issued to applicants who intend to study in China for more than 6 months.

　　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled out Visa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) .no item should be empty or alterd.

　　　 2. One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. A visa application form for international students (JW-201 or 202) issued by the Ministry of Education of China, and notification of admission from enrolled school with the seal of the said ministry are required (together with their copis).

　　　 5. A Physical Examination Record for Foreigner (Q-2)filled out and signed by a doctor (together with their copis).

　　　 6.An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with his or her new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.

　　　 7. A child of Chinese descent and born in a foreign country who applies for a Chinese visa for the first time is required to submit his or her Birth Certificate and foreign passport or foreign permanent resident permit (e.g. Green Card) of one of his or her parents.(together with their copis).

　　　 8.Non-US passport bearers shall provide documents valid for at least 6 months that entitle them to reside or work for an extended period of time in the US.(together with their copis).

　　　 9. former chinese visas ( if any, together with their copis).

　　　 10. other files consuls request .

　　　 Reminders:

　　　 1. No visa application can be done through mail, email, internet, or any express delivery service such as UPS, FedEx, etc. Visa application should be submitted and picked up by the applicant or someone else entrusted.

　　　 2. The Passport and Visa Office issues single entry X-visas and Multi-entry X-visas valid for 12 months for American nationals who intend to study in China for more than 6 months. The visa fees are different.

　　　 3. Aliens holding X-visas shall, within 30 days of entry into China, obtain aliens' residence permission from the Public Security Bureau at the place of their residence. Otherwise, aliens may be fined, detained or even ordered to leave the country wihin a specific time period.

　　　 Visa Pickup, Fees and Payments

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

E mployment Visamployment Visa

(Z-visa)

　　　　 Employment Visas are generally issued to applicants who are employed to work in China for more than 6 months and who intend to do commercial performance in China.

　　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled outVisa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) .no item should be empty or alterd.

　　　 2. One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. An invitation letter or telegram from the relevant department of the Chinese Government or Government-authorized company.

　　　 5. Original Foreign Experts Working Permit issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affaris, or orginal and copy of Alien Employment Lisense issued by the Ministry of Labour amd Social Security, or other relevant permit of employment.

　　　 6. The spouse or children of the Z-Visa applicant who are following the applicant to stay in China are required to be listed in the above-mentioned invitation letter or telegram. Otherwise original and copy of Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate to prove their relationship are also required.
　　　 7. An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with his or her new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.

　　　 8. A child of Chinese descent and born in a foreign country who applies for a Chinese visa for the first time is required to submit his or her Birth Certificate and foreign passport or foreign permanent resident permit (e.g. Green Card) of one of his or her parents.

　　 9.Non-US passport bearers shall provide documents valid for at least 6 months that entitle them to reside or work for an extended period of time in the US.

　　 10. former chinese visas ( if any ).

　　　 11. other files consuls request .

Reminders:

　　　 2. Z-visa is generally valid for 3 month. Applicants should apply for a residence permit from a local county level Public Security Bureau within 30 days after entering China.

　　　 Visa Pickup, Fees and Payments.

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

T ransit Visaransit Visa

(G-visa)

　　　 Transit visas are generally issued to applicants who intend to transit to another country or region via China.

　　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled outVisa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007). no item should be empty or alterd.

　　　 2. One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. A valid visa from the destination country (region) and connecting tickets are required.

　　　 5. An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with his or her new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.

　　　 6. A child of Chinese descent and born in a foreign country who applies for a Chinese visa for the first time is required to submit his or her Birth Certificate and foreign passport or foreign permanent resident permit (e.g. Green Card) of one of his or her parents.

　　 7.Non-US passport bearers shall provide documents that entitle them to reside or work for an extended period of time in the US.

　　　 8. former chinese visas ( if you have any ).

　　　 9. other files consuls request .

　　　 Reminders:

　　　 2. G-visas are generally good for one or two entries.

　　　 3. Non-U.S. or British citizens to in transit China may stay inside the airport (and not going through customs) for less than 24 hours without applying for visas.

　　　 4. Citizens of the following countries in transit Shanghai can stay in Shanghai for up to 48 hours without applying for visas: Korea, U.S. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, French, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria and Greece.

　　　 Visa Pickup, Fees and Payments.

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

J ournalist Visa ournalist Visa

(J-1, J-2 visa)

　　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled outVisa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) .no item should be empty or alterd.

　　　 2. One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. A letter or telegram from the competent department of the Chinese Government is required.

　　　 5. An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with his or her new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.

　　 6.Non-US passport bearers shall provide documents that entitle them to reside or work for an extended period of time in the US.

　　　 7. former chinese visa records ( if　any ).

　　　 8. other files consuls request .

　　　 Reminders:

　　　 2. J-1 visas are generally valid for 3 month. Applicants should apply for a residence permit from a local county level Public Security Bureau within 30 days after entering China.

　　　 3. Journalists to visit China for sightseeing will be issued an L-visa and are not permitted to cover news.

　　　 Visa Pickup, Fees and Payments.

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

R esidence Visa esidence Visa

(D-visa)

　　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled outVisa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) .no item should be empty or alterd.

　　　 2.One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. A permanent residence confirmation form is required. You or your designated relatives in China may obtain this form from the exit-and-entry department of the municipal or county public security bureau where you intend to reside.

　　　 5. An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with his or her new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.

　　 7.Non-US passport bearers shall provide documents that entitle them to reside or work for an extended period of time in the US.

　　　 8. former chinese visas ( if you have any ).

　　　 9. other files consuls request .

　　　 Reminders:

　　　 2. D-visas are generally good for one entry and valid for 3 months. Applicants should apply for a residence permit from a local county level Public Security Bureau within 30 days after entering China.

　　　 Visa Pickup, Fees and Payments.

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

Vi sas for Train Attendants, sas for Train Attendants,

Air Crew Members and Seamen

(C-visa)

　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled outVisa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) .no item should be empty or alterd.

　　　 2. One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. The application will be dealt in accordance with the mutual agreement. An invitation letter from the relevant department of the Chinese Government is required when there is no agreement or when the application is not within the agreement.

　　　 5.An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with his or her new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.

　　　 6. former chinese visas ( if you have any ).

　　　 7. other files consuls request .

　　　 Reminders:

　　　 1. Train Attendants, Air Crew Members and Seamen to visit China for touring or a family visit should apply for another L-visa despite the validities of their C-visas.

　　　 2. No visa application can be done through mail, email, internet, or any express delivery service such as UPS, FedEx, etc. Visa application should be submitted and picked up by the applicant or someone else entrusted.

　　　 Visa Pickup, Fees and Payments.

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

Di plomatic or Service Visaplomatic or Service Visa

　　　　 Both visas are for foreign government officials, the staff of diplomatic missions or the United Nations who intend to travel to China for an official mission or accreditation.

　　　 Requirements:

　　　 1. One completely filled outVisa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) .no item should be empty or alterd.

　　　 2.One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form.

　　　 3. Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

　　　 4. A diplomatic note from your government, consulate general, or the United Nations is required.

　　　 5. If you are invited by Chinese governmental departments, a notification of issuance of visa, invitation letter, or telegram or pertinent document from the competent department is also required.

　　　 6. former chinese visas ( if you have any ).

　　　 7. other files consuls request .

　　　 Reminders:
　　　 1. No visa application can be done through mail, email, internet, or any express delivery service such as UPS, FedEx, etc. Visa application should be submitted and picked up by the applicant or someone else entrusted.

　　　 2. Diplomatic or service visa fees are waived.

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

Pickup, Fees and

Payments

　　　 1. Pickup

　　　 Applicant will be given a pickup form. Applicant or someone else entrusted can pickup the visa by submitting the pickup form.Please keep the pickup form in a safe place.

　　 Chinese visas can generally be picked up on the fourth working day from the submitting date. For example, if you submitted on Friday, you may pick up your visa next Thursday (if not a holiday).

　　 If an application really has emergency , he may ask for expedited service. Consuls will make the decision depending on the quantity of applications of that day. Since it taks some time to process visas, same day rush visas are generally picked up about 2:15pm. Applicants must enter into the Application Hall before 2:30pm when it is closed.

　　　 notice: we don't give a promise that any applicant can get same day or next day pickup service .　

　　　 Applicants should pay extra $30 dollars per visa for same day pickup, or$20 per visa for the next or third working day pickup service, in addition to regular visa fee.

　　 2. Regular Visa Fees (Dollars)

1) Visas for U.S. Citizens

Entries Permitted	Valid From the date of application (Enter Before)	4-day Regular Pickup	Same Day Pickup	Next or Third Day Pickup
Single Entry	3 months	$130	$160	$150
Two Entries	6 months	$130	$160	$150
Multiple Entry for 6 Months	6 months	$130	$160	$150
Multiple Entry for 12 Months	12 months	$130	$160	$150

　　2) Visas for Non-U. S. Citizens

Entries Permitted

Valid from the date of application (Enter Before)

4-day Regular Pickup

Same Day Pickup

Next or Third Day Pickup

Single Entry

3 months

$30

$60

$50

Two Entries

6 months

$45

$75

$65

Multiple Entry for 6 Months

6 months

$60

$90

$80

Multiple Entry for 12 Months

12 months

$90

$120

$110

　　　　　

　　　　　　3. Payments:

　　　　　 We accept cash, money order, company check, Master or Visa Card only. Other payments are not accepted. Money order or company check should be made payable to "Chinese Consulate General in New York".

　　　　　 NOTICE: IF YOU WANT TO BUY MONEY ORDER FROM ANY BANK ,YOU MUST HAVE ITS ACCOUNT .

　　　　 Please pay when you pickup. Do not pay when submitting applications.

　　　　　　 Applicants have the responsiblity to check the contents of the visas when they pick up. Please click here to see visa sample. The Chinese Consulate are not responsible for any errors found afterward.

　　　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

D ocuments for Children of

Chinese Citizens Born in U.S.

　　　 In accordance with the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China, children of Chinese citizens born in the United States should apply for visas or Travel Documents for China as follows:

　　　 1. If one of the parents is American or a Green Card holder, the child is an American citizen, and should apply for a visa. He or she is required to submit:

　　　　　1)One completely filled outVisa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) .no item should be empty or alterd.

　　　　 2) One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form;

　　　　 3) A passport with blank visa pages and valid for more than 6 months;

　　　　 4) Original and copy of the Birth Certificate of the child;

　　　　 5) Original and copies of the passport or Green Card of one of the parents;

　　　　 6) Tourists to China shall provide round trip air tickets and hotel reservation (together with their copis).
　　　　 7) Applicants visiting friends or family members shall provide round trip air tickets and certificates of kinship or invitation letter (together with their copis).　　　

　　　 8) former chinese visas ( if you have any ).

　　　 9) other files consuls request .

　　 2. If both of the parents do not join foreign nationalities and do not have Green Cards, the child is a Chinese citizen. The child is required to apply for a Travel Documents of the People's Republic of China by submitting following materials:

　　　 1)One completely filled outPassport and Travel Document Application Form (H-1).

　　　 2) Three recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix one photo to the application form.

　　　 3) Original and copy of Birth Certificate of the child;

　　　 4) Original and copies of Chinese passports of both parents;

　　　 Parents may apply for Travel Documents for your children by mail or entrust someone else to submit the application in person.　

　　　 Travel Documents are generally valid for 2 years. Regular fee for five-day pickup is $25. Additional rush service fee of $30 per document should be paid for same day pickup and an additional $20 for the next day or third day pickup.

　　　 Please refer to Application by Mail for more detailed requirements for application by mail. Please be noticed that there is no rush or express service for mail applications.

　　　 Please check the validity of the Travel Documents of your child after he or she enters into China, and make sure to extend at a local county level Public Security Bureau lest illegal residence.

　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

Vi sas or Entry Permit for sas or Entry Permit for

Hong Kong or Macao SAR

　　　　　1. U.S. citizens visiting Hong Kong SAR for a short tour, or business visit can stay in Hong Kong for 90 days without applying for visas.

　　　　 The following U.S. citizens visiting Hong Kong are required to apply for visas in advance:

　　　　　 (1) U.S. citizens intending to stay in Hong Kong longer than 90 days;

　　　 (2) U.S. citizens intending to enter Hong Kong for employment, investment, education, training or residence.

　　　　 For any detailed information, or to learn if a visa is required, please click here.

　　　 2. Citizens of U.S., Canada and the other 36 countries can visit the Macao SAR without applying for visas. Citizens from the other countries can apply for the visa when they enter Macao SAR.

　　　 3. Chinese (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) to visit Hong Kong and Macau, please refer to theChinese version of our website.

　　　　 4. For aliens other than citizens of the United States, please click here for more information.　　　　

　　　 The above information is subject to change without notice.

G uidance foruidance for

Visa Agents

　　 1. Passport

　　　 Please make sure passport is valid for more than 6 months beyond the date of application and have at least 2 blank visa pages. Please make a special note if the applicant's name or birth date has been changed.

　　　 2. Application form

　　　 Please fill out or print the Visa Application Form for the P.R. China (Q-2007) completely, legibly and truthfully. Do not leave any item blank. Write N/A if there is nothing to declare.

　　　　 1) Name:Applicant born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) must fill in their Chinese names.

　　　 2) Occupation: Accurate occupation is needed. Fill in none for unemployed.

　　　 3) Purpose of Journey: Fill out truthfully and legibly.

　　　 4) Place to visit: List all the provinces, cities or counties intending to visit.