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FAQ about China Visa Application 
Many frequently asked questions about Chinese visa application are listed. 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 Chinese Visa Application Application In Your Own Country Application In China (Renewals and Extension) Application In a Third Country & Regions Requirements Fees, Overstaying & Visa Agents Visa Cancellation & Airline Regulations Visa Mail Service Mutual Visa Exemption between China and Foreign Countries Visa to Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR Hong Kong Visa Hong Kong Visa Application Non-Visa to Hong Kong for Foreign Countries/Areas Macau Visa Chinese Residence Permit Temporary Residence Permit Permanent Residence Permit Marriage Registration in China
It explains the basic rules that foreigners need to know about marrying in China. 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
Application Form of Notarization and Legalization
Foreign Student Visa Application Form JW201
Foreign Student Visa Application Form JW202
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. US citizens can contact Travel Visa Pro to order China Visa. Services start at $39 and you can get China visa in just 6 hours. Call them 24/7, toll-free 888-470-8472.
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.
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Travel Insurance can protect travelers from loss of non-refundable trip investments and medical expenses due to sickness or injuries during travel.
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Travelers' Voices on Chinese Visa
1.
Nov. 6,2009 03:34 Reply
Mrs.Deetlefs(Kenya) said:
My brother in law and family recently moved fm USA to China to teach. They want to visit Kenya where we live. His wife has to travel out of china with a temporary passport as hers expires soon. South african temporary passports are valid for 1 year, so going back will not be a problem for passport validity, but, will they be allowed to return to china on the visa which is in the old passport. Do they have to get it transferred, and travel with both passports?
Nov. 6,2009 04:52
Mr.Haley replied:
I think tthey have to renew their passport first and then apply for a new visa to China.
2.
Nov. 3,2009 22:19 Reply
Mr.Nicholas(Malaysia) said:
Hello there, I will be flying from Tokyo to Beijing and then from Beijing to Singapore. My connecting flight in between is 4 hours. I wont be leaving out the airport, so do i need a visa? Is this what transit called?
Thank you
Nov. 4,2009 02:06
Mr.Samuel replied:
If you just transit beijing for 4 hour and won't move out of the airport, no visa would be needed.
Nov. 4,2009 04:29
Mr.Nicholas(Malaysia) replied:
Thank you for the reply. I am Malaysian passport holder, I heard you have to clear immigration in order to board to the next connecting flight. Both my flights are in Terminal 3 FYI. Is that true?
Nov. 4,2009 20:11
Mrs.Hannah replied:
it may be true.
Nov. 4,2009 22:45
Mr.nicholas(Malaysia) replied:
Anyone has similar experience connecting flight in terminal 3 in beijing airport?
Nov. 5,2009 04:27
Mr.noneedvisa(china) replied:
not true! as long as you stay in the international airport you do not need a visa
3.
Nov. 2,2009 23:38 Reply
Mrs.Brookes(australia) said:
hi, Im entering china for 1 day due to flight times. Do i need to apply for a tourist visa?
Nov. 3,2009 01:07
Mr.Jeff replied:
You mean you will just transit China? Will you go out of the airport? How many hours will you stay in China?
Nov. 3,2009 05:22
Mrs.brookes(australia) replied:
my flight arrives at 6am and departs at midnight so i wanted to leave the airport and explore china for the day :)
Nov. 3,2009 21:38
Mr.Walter replied:
If so, you will have to apply for a transit visa.
4.
Nov. 3,2009 05:15 Reply
Mrs.Kait(Indonesia) said:
Hi,
I want to ask, I will fly with my family from Indonesia to Shenzhen, stay 1 night then to Hongkong 2 nights, after HK I will back to Shenzhen. Can I enter Shenzhen with visa on arrival? If yes, how much the cost and how long the procedure? Thanks.
Nov. 3,2009 21:37
Mr.Wesley replied:
I think you can apply for Shenzhen Special Zone visa on arrival, but I'm not sure the exact cost, please call the visa office at Luohu Port directly:
Tel: 86 755 8232 4022
5.
Nov. 1,2009 09:42 Reply
Ms.joy(ph) said:
Hi!
can somebody help me?I want to know the things that is needed to get a visa?
Nov. 2,2009 21:27
Mr.Dunn replied:
Which country's visa do you want and what's your travel purpose?
6.
Oct. 28,2009 07:00 Reply
Mr.Karim(Italy) said:
Hello all,
Someone can tell as which countries need the notification latter?
Thanks
Oct. 28,2009 20:15
Mr.Andrew replied:
I think it depends what type of visa you apply for.
7.
Oct. 25,2009 22:03 Reply
Ms.patricia(hong kong) said:
I am a Malaysian student studying in Hong Kong. I will fly back to Malaysia from Shenzhen Airport. Should I get a tourist visa or a transit visa? I am a non-permanent HKID holder and I have a Malaysian Passport. Thanks.
Oct. 26,2009 04:11
Mr.Peter replied:
If you stay at the Shenzhen airport for less than 24 hours and don't leave out of the airport, you don't need a visa for this transit.
Oct. 27,2009 09:22
Ms.patricia(malaysia) replied:
But i will be going to shenzhen airport by mtr train to Lo Wu station and then take a bus direct to the airport. visa is not required?
Oct. 27,2009 21:19
Mrs.Becky replied:
if so, you will need to apply for a transit visa, or you may also apply for a Shenzhen Special Zone visa at Luohu port.
8.
Oct. 27,2009 03:25 Reply
Ms.GRACELIM(Singapore) said:
We are bringing our Filipino maid to Zhuhai for holiday in early December and have just applied the VISA for her today. Can I know how long does the embassy take to approve the VISA? Will the officer inform us once it is approved? By mail or telephone?
Oct. 27,2009 04:46
Mr.Anthony replied:
It usually takes 4 working days. Meanwhile, you should be given an 'pick-up receipt' when submit the application, on which there should be pick-up date, I think.
9.
Oct. 27,2009 02:58 Reply
Ms.Tina(Indonesia) said:
I want to go China ShengZhen or GuangZhou for 2 Weeks, just for visiting or travel.
What do i need to do ?
How am i apply Visa ? If need to fill form, where can i get the form ?
How much the fee i should pay ?
I intend to go China through Singapore Airport.
Thank's.
Oct. 27,2009 04:43
Mr.Barry replied:
You have to apply for a China Tourist visa.
You can download the visa application from the website below:
http://id.china-embassy.org/eng/lsqw/.
The visa fee is 300,000 Rupiahs per person for a single entry.
10.
Oct. 26,2009 22:53 Reply
Mr.Kahn(South Africa) said:
Hello, I'm a student in Canberra and would like to visit my family in China during 3 month university vacation (end 2009 to early 2010). Ideally I would want a 3 month multi entry visa.
I have been to an agency to assist with arranging the visa from Canberra. But, some items they are telling me are strange:
- even if one gets a 90 day multi entry, you still need to leave the country every 30 days?
- one needs to show your proof of travel. Not sure if this has to be a return ticket. At this stage I have a ticket to China and I would then only arrange a return - china - Australia - china early next year.
Could you please inform what type of visa I can arrange and what needs to be done?
Thanks a lot!
Oct. 27,2009 04:41
Mr.Ben replied:
The agency is right that, you may be requied to leave China every 30 days if you apply for a multiple entry visa, and the proof of travel should be your round-way air tickts.
You can apply for a China tourist visa with one entry to China, which may allows you stay in Chian for 30 to 180 days.
Howver, you have to ask your family in China to provide you an invitation letter enclosed with their valid address, contacts as well as copy of their residence permit in China, and the letter should be stamped by th elocal public security bureau as well.