China Visa Types
Crew Visa, Resident Visa, Journalist Visa
Crew Visa (C)
Persons arriving as crew on planes or ships should apply for this visa. Clearly they should obtain information and complete formalities via their employers.
Resident Visa (D)
In summary, the regulations state that a person who has lived 5 years in China and is a desirable person may obtain permanent residency. In practice it seems that very few people are able to achieve this status. China is not an immigrant country (like the USA, Canada, Australia) and does not seek foreign permanent residents. Unless you have made massive investments which have generated substantial profit to China and you have good connections with the establishment, it seems you are unlikely to succeed.
Persons arriving as crew on planes or ships should apply for this visa. Clearly they should obtain information and complete formalities via their employers.
Resident Visa (D)
In summary, the regulations state that a person who has lived 5 years in China and is a desirable person may obtain permanent residency. In practice it seems that very few people are able to achieve this status. China is not an immigrant country (like the USA, Canada, Australia) and does not seek foreign permanent residents. Unless you have made massive investments which have generated substantial profit to China and you have good connections with the establishment, it seems you are unlikely to succeed.
Journalist Visa (J-1, J-2)
The long stay visa, J1 is for resident journalists, the short say, J2, is for those who are visiting for short term assignments. These are rather specialist visas and there are several extra requirements including approvals, invitations from the Chinese media authorities, or itineraries. There are extra requirements if you want to bring filming equipment into China. You will find the full details on the visa application form.
The long stay visa, J1 is for resident journalists, the short say, J2, is for those who are visiting for short term assignments. These are rather specialist visas and there are several extra requirements including approvals, invitations from the Chinese media authorities, or itineraries. There are extra requirements if you want to bring filming equipment into China. You will find the full details on the visa application form.
The J-1 visa is only for 30 days from the date of arrival during which time you and your local organisation must seek a Temporary Residence Permit for the duration of your contract, to a maximum of 12 months.
Basic Requirements
1. A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and at least a blank visa page
2. A truly and correctly completed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China. Please fill in every column of the visa application form, using "N/A" if not applicable.
3. One recent passport photo glued on the visa application form, if the accompanying child on your passport travels with you, the child's photo is also required, and you should declare to the visa officer.
Additional Requirements for C, D, J Visa
1. For Crew Visa, the formal Application Letter from the airline or shipping company, the original & copy of Crew Card and Seaman's Card are also required.
2. For Resident Visa, applicants should provide the Residence Approval Certificate issued by the Chinese Public Security Bureau (The applicant can entrust his/her relatives in China to apply for it at the aforesaid authority)
3. For Resident Journalist Visa (J-1 Visa) or Temporary Journalist Visa (J-2 Visa), the applicant should get the approval from relevant Chinese media authorities before submitting visa application. For further information, please contact the Press Section of the Chinese embassies or consulates.
How to Apply
The applicant can submit visa application in person or ask someone else, travel agency or visa agency to apply on his/her behalf.
Processing Time
The normal processing time is 4 working days. Extra fees will be charged respectively for rush service (collect on the same day) and express service (collect on the second or third working day after submission).
Visa Fees
Fees are paid when applicants pick up their visas. The means of payment are different at Chinese Embassies or Consulates in Different Countries and Regions. The fee varies according to applicants' nationality and the number of entries. The below table is the fee for visa application in USA
Basic Requirements
1. A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and at least a blank visa page
2. A truly and correctly completed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China. Please fill in every column of the visa application form, using "N/A" if not applicable.
3. One recent passport photo glued on the visa application form, if the accompanying child on your passport travels with you, the child's photo is also required, and you should declare to the visa officer.
Additional Requirements for C, D, J Visa
1. For Crew Visa, the formal Application Letter from the airline or shipping company, the original & copy of Crew Card and Seaman's Card are also required.
2. For Resident Visa, applicants should provide the Residence Approval Certificate issued by the Chinese Public Security Bureau (The applicant can entrust his/her relatives in China to apply for it at the aforesaid authority)
3. For Resident Journalist Visa (J-1 Visa) or Temporary Journalist Visa (J-2 Visa), the applicant should get the approval from relevant Chinese media authorities before submitting visa application. For further information, please contact the Press Section of the Chinese embassies or consulates.
How to Apply
The applicant can submit visa application in person or ask someone else, travel agency or visa agency to apply on his/her behalf.
Processing Time
The normal processing time is 4 working days. Extra fees will be charged respectively for rush service (collect on the same day) and express service (collect on the second or third working day after submission).
Visa Fees
Fees are paid when applicants pick up their visas. The means of payment are different at Chinese Embassies or Consulates in Different Countries and Regions. The fee varies according to applicants' nationality and the number of entries. The below table is the fee for visa application in USA
| Entry & Validity of Visa | American Citizens | Citizens of Other Countries |
| Single Entry for 3 Months | USD 130 | USD 30 |
| Double Entry for 6 Months | USD 130 | USD 45 |
| Multiple Entries for 6 Months | USD 130 | USD 60 |
| Multiple Entries for 1 Year or 2 Year | USD 130 | USD 90 |
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Travelers' Voices on China Crew Visa, Resident Visa, Journalist Visa
1.
Nov. 15,2009 05:35 Reply
Mr.jasy(guinea) said:
hello if i have a resident permit can i work in china ?
Nov. 15,2009 21:57
Mr.Charles replied:
How do you get the resident permit, I mean you hold waht kind of Chinese visa before you get the residence permit? As I know, only Work visa(Z), Student visa (X), Journalist visa (J-1) can apply for residence permit.
2.
Nov. 10,2009 01:20 Reply
Mr.KAMAL SAMEER(SRI LANKA) said:
MY SON WILL BE ENTERING MEDICAL UNIVERSITY IN CHINA NEXT YEAR (2010). MY WIFE AND I WISH TO STAY WITH HIM DURING HIS STUDY. WHAT KIND OF VISA SHOULD I APPLY FOR AND WHAT IS THE LONGEST PERIOD I CAN STAY. PLEASE ADVISE. URGENT. THANKS.
Nov. 10,2009 04:45
Mr.Andy replied:
I think you can only apply for a China Tourist visa and stay with your son in China for 30 days.
3.
Oct. 17,2009 04:46 Reply
Mr.mubshar Hasan(Pakistan) said:
Dear sir
I'm a Pakistan citizen and i want to live in china, please tell me about the way how can get a china immigration visa.
Oct. 17,2009 04:54
Mr.Richard replied:
Only those foreigners who have lived in China for 5 years can immigrate to china. Please read the info. on the website below:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/refusal.htm
4.
Oct. 5,2009 15:13 Reply
Ms.GILKOWLOON(United Arab Emirates) said:
hi to all'
dear sir/madam, iwant apply d visa ,i am indian national, my wife chinese national, we married 4 yers ago, we have baby girl, stays in china, we live in u.a.e. so how can apply for d visa? we legally married in u.a.e. our certificates are attesed by all departments in u.a.e. do we need register again in china?
please help me, thanks,i love china.
Oct. 5,2009 20:06
Mr.Donald Zhang(China) replied:
The chance of obtaining the D Visa (Permannent Residence Permit)is very slim, you can read Regulations on Permanent Residence of Aliens in China on this website http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/refusal.htm then you will give up your idea.
5.
Sep. 23,2009 03:08 Reply
Mr.Newfel(Algeria) said:
Hi, Im Newfel from Algeria,I have been living in china since 2007, I hold a 1 year visa type F Multiple..30 days each stay..I want to renew it because it will expire on 27th Oct.. how can I make this? where? and the most important is how much? because I have been told that it will cost me around 8000 rmb,and that I need to stay in hk for a week with food and shelter included??? if I do have only this to renew a 1 year F..M i have to come back to my country..to see my owns and apply for q new one there..
Sep. 23,2009 04:46
Mr.Austin replied:
Please read the info. on the website below:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/extension.htm
6.
Sep. 17,2009 08:33 Reply
Mr.Teo(Malaysia) said:
Hi i a Malaysian & is currently working in China Suzhou with a 1 year residence permit. i plan to bring my Malaysian wife to stay with me in Suzhou for a long period. what kind of visa will my wife need to apply & can it be apply in malaysia?
Sep. 17,2009 20:10
Mr.Joseph replied:
Your wife can apply for a work visa dependant on you, the visa should be applied from the Chian embassy in Malaysia.
7.
Sep. 13,2009 11:45 Reply
Mr.dignity(nigeria) said:
am dignity from nigeria but i live in uae i want my brother to travell to china with chinese resident visa what will i do?.
Sep. 14,2009 03:31
Mr.Helper replied:
What's the meaning, your brother come to China with Chinese resident visa, how about you?
8.
Sep. 11,2009 16:11 Reply
Mr.MATEEN(China) said:
what is JW202 . frm where i can get it.is it my responsibility to get this for my cousin who want to study in china uni.
into how many days can i get this
how much it costs
Sep. 11,2009 21:33
Mr.Alexander replied:
After you get the admission letter, the school of Chian will send you the JW202 form issued by the Chinese authorized unit.
The Jw 202 form got in other ways are not valid.
9.
Sep. 11,2009 10:54 Reply
Mr.sam(egypt) said:
i marriage chinese lady,and is time for me to renew my visa,i and my wife went to bureau they gave me 3 month and they told me i cant use to work too.now i dont know what to do please i need your advice.
Sep. 11,2009 21:31
Mr.Christopher replied:
Foreigners are not allowed to work in China with a L tourist visa, If you want to work in China, you should apply for a work visa.
10.
Aug. 25,2009 07:08 Reply
Mr.siroco(algeria) said:
hello, i am an algerian student in china and i got a residence permit for 3 years, iwant to bring my wife with me(she is algerian too) how do i get her the visa and wich kind of it?
Aug. 25,2009 20:25
Mr.Abundiantus replied:
I'm afraid your wife can't stay with you for a long time. She can only apply for a multi-entry family visit visa for 2 years, but she can stay 30 days for one entry. She has to go to Hk or macau for one day or several hours and then come back to mainland China for the next 30 days duration.