China and Visas 
The People's Republic of China follows the international system and issues visas according to its laws and regulations which may be modified from time to time.

 Number of Entries / Validity/ Duration of Each Stay
1. Single, Double and Multiple Entry Visas
2. Visa Validity (Enter Before) 
3. Duration of Stay (After Entry)

 Visa Exemption 
There are a very few situations where no visa is required for entering mainland China. 

 Visa on Arrival (Visa Issued at Entry Ports) 
There are certain emergency situations which will permit aliens to get a visa on arrival at entry ports of mainland China.

 Types of Chinese Visa
 Tourist Visa (L) Issued to aliens who are going to China for tourism, family visiting or other private affairs.  
 Business Visa (F) Issued to aliens who are invited to China for a business visit, an investigation, a lecture, scientific-technological & cultural exchanges, short-term furthering studies or intern practice less than six months.
 Student Visa (X) Issued to aliens who are going to China for study, furthering studies or intern practice longer than six months. 
 Work Visa (Z) Issued to aliens who are going to China for a post or employment, and to their accompanying family members.
 Transit Visa (G) Issued to aliens who are going to a third country in transit of China.
 Crew Visa (C) Issued to crewmembers involving international-based transportation by trains, airway and ships and their accompanying family members.
 Resident Visa (D) Issued to aliens who are going to reside permanently in China.
 Journalist Visa (J-1, J-2) Issued to foreign journalists for the purpose of reporting from China  
 Hong Kong Visa
 Macau Visa

 Chinese Visa Application
 Application In Your Own Country
 Application In China (Renewals and Extension)
 Application In a Third Country 
 Requirements
 Fees, Overstaying & Visa Agents
 Visa Cancellation & Airline Regulations
 Visa Mail Service

 Temporary Residence Permit 

 Required Forms for Download

    Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China
    Hong Kong Visa/Entry Permit Application Form 
    Physical Examination Record for Foreigner
   Mutual Visa Exemption between China and Foreign Countries
    Non-Visa to Hong Kong for Foreign Countries/Areas

TravelChinaGuide provides the following information to help foreign travellers understand about obtaining visas for China and some of the rules for foreigners to stay in China.  The information is accurate to the best of our knowledge.  However, there is considerable complexity as there are several visa types; visas can be applied for in your own country, in China, or in a third country; the rules vary according to your nationality, and the regulations can be changed at any time.

The information is relevant to holders of ordinary passports. If you hold a diplomatic or service passport, there are different rules and you will need to get advice from your employer.

Wherever you are in doubt about your visa situation, you should contact your local Chinese office that issues visas, such as China Embassy in Washington DC, USA, Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, China Embassy in London, UK.

The visas we are talking about here are 'entry visas', those which are part of the permission for a person to enter a foreign country. 

Mostly, a visa is a permit granted before travelling to enter a country, usually for a fee.   However, the visa is only an indication to immigration officials that you have satisfied certain conditions.  On arrival, the immigration official has the power to approve or disallow your entrance to the country.  So, when you arrive you can be told that you may not enter.  This can be for many reasons including a belief that there is something wrong with the passport or the visa, you do not have enough money, you plan to work when the visa does not allow this, or that you are in some other way 'undesirable'.  There is normally nothing you can do about it and you will not be permitted to enter.  This poses problems for airlines and in turn for passengers – see the heading Airline Rules

Sometimes, a visa can be issued at the border when you arrive.  This is half way between being a true visa and a 'no visa required' situation.  There are not many situations where this is available for entry to China.