Visa
According to the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Entry and Exit of Aliens, a Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese Visa Authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from or transit through China.
Chinese visas fall into four types: diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. The ordinary visas consist of eight sub-categories, which are marked with Chinese phonetic letters (D, Z, X, F, L, G, C, J-1 and J-2 respectively).
| Tourist and Family Visit Visa (L-visa) | issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for tourist purposes, family visit or other personal affairs. |
| Business Visa (F-visa) | issued to a foreign citizen who is invited to China for visit, study or lecture, business tour, for scientific-technological and cultural exchanges, short-term advanced studies or for intern practice, or attending various kinds of trade fairs or exhibitions, intern practice for a period of less than six months. |
| Student Visa (X-visa) | issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for the purpose of study or advanced study or intern practice for a period of six or more months. |
| Work Visa (Z-visa) | issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China to work and his or her accompanying family members, or to give commercial performances in China. |
| Transit Visa (G-visa) | issued to a foreign citizen who is to transit through China |
| Crew Visa (C-visa) | issued to crew member performing his/her duties on board an international train, or on an international airline, to a sailor on board an international ocean-liner or freighter, and also to their accompanying family members. |
Journalist Visa (J-visa) | issued to foreign journalists. J-visa has two categories: J-1 visa is issued to foreign resident journalists in China and their accompanying spouses and under-age children; J-2 visa is issued to foreign journalists who visit China for temporary news coverage. |
| Permanent Residence Visa (D-visa) | issued to a foreign citizen who are to reside permanently in China |
The overseas Chinese visa authorities are Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices and other agencies abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If a foreign citizen intends to enter, exit or transit through China, he/she shall apply for a Chinese visa in advance. For further information, please consult the nearest Chinese visa authorities.