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China Visa Application Requirements

General Requirements: Passport, Visa Application Form & Photo

1. Original passport with at least two blank visa pages and at least 6 months of remaining validity, and a photocopy of the passport’s data page and photo page if it is separate.

2. One completed China Visa Application Form attached with a recently-taken passport photo (48mm x 33mm, bare-head, full face, and against a light background). Click to fill in the visa application form

If applying in a third country, you should also submit a proof of legal stay or residence permit, namely the original and photocopy of your valid visa, or certificates of stay, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of the third country.
 

Supporting Documents for Major Visa Types

What documents are needed for China visa application? Depending on the visa type you are applying for, additional documentation must be submitted.

China Tourist Visa Requirements
China Tourist Visa Requirements
 Round-trip ticket booking record and proof of a hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China with following information:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the planned visit (dates of arrival and departure, places of visit, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)
c. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

See Sample of the Invitation Letter for China Visa.
 Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain the same information as described above for tourist visa.
 An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China, with details as described above for tourist visa.
 Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in PRC.

For X1 visa with an intended stay of more than 6 months, applicants should also provide:
Original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
 One of the following work permits is required:
1. Foreigners Employment Permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC.
2. Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries (regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration.
3. Approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs.
4. Invitation Letter to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations issued by National Offshore Oil Corporation.
 1. An invitation letter from a foreigner who stays on a work Z or student X visa in China
2. A photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit
3. Proof of kinship such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship (original and copy)

For those who visit for private affairs other than family reunion, documentation identifying the nature of the private affair should be provided as required by the consular officer.
 1. Invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit.
2. Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit
3. For Q1 visa only -  a proof of kinship such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship (original and copy)
 An onward air, train or ship ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region is required.
 

Special Reminders for China Visa Application

1. Generally, the invitation letter in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout is acceptable, but the consular officer may require the original of the invitation letter when necessary.
2. The consular officer may require other proof documents or supplementary materials or an interview or verification of the signature on application documents upon notification by the Embassy/Consulate-General if necessary.

Further Reading:
How to Apply for a China Visa
How to Apply a China Visa in Hong Kong
8 Tips for Filling Out Chinese Visa Application Form

- Last updated on Dec. 06, 2023 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on China Visa Application Requirements
Asked by 吴玛德琳WuMadelyn from PHILIPPINES | Mar. 15, 2024 11:13Reply
Take my Chinese nationality children abroad.
Hello, hi me again. I’m planning to go back home for the first time in six years now I have kids to bring with me one is two year old and four year old. Now my question is. If I bring my kids with me to go abroad what are the requirements needed for travel? Are they need to have passport , visa and plane tickets even though they are young? Thank you and have a great day.
Asked by Madelyn Wu from PHILIPPINES | Mar. 08, 2024 06:14Reply
Inviting a person to visit in China
Hi good day, I’m going to invite my eldest sister to visit me in China I have my temporary Chinese resident permit, my question is who’s name or person should be use fill in the invitation letter should be my husband name or my name, and also what visa should my eldest sister will going to apply? And also we already applied for her a tourist visa but the embassy suggested she need to apply for a family reunion Q2S1 visa type , now the embassy they need the original copy of our papers like marriage certificate etc. but the problem is we are not in the country we’re in China, what should we do about it.? Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Mark | Mar. 10, 2024 19:17
00Reply


It is better to fill in your name. If you cannot offer an original copy and she doesn't need to stay for a long time, then applying for a tourist visa is okay.
Asked by Janet from UNITED STATES | Feb. 01, 2024 12:12Reply
Travel document
My passport has expired but I have my travel document. Can I still apply for a Chinese visa?
Answers (1)
Answered by James | Feb. 01, 2024 17:43
00Reply


No, a valid passport is must.
Asked by Keng Tsang from AUSTRALIA | Jan. 22, 2024 01:33Reply
Tourist visa for short trip to China
We booked air round ticket to Hong Kong from AU on 13 Mar 24 for 12 days. Within this period we plan to join local travel agency for 3 days tour to Guangdong. However, i don't have hotel reservation at this moment. Can i still eligible apply China visa in Sydney.
Answers (1)
Answered by Diana | Jan. 22, 2024 18:30
00Reply


Hi, if you join a tourist group in Hong Kong organized by registered travel agencies in HK, you don't need any visa to visit the Pearl River Delta region for tourism and stay up to 6 days. The region includes Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Jiangmen and Shantou.
Asked by Fatma Malik from PAKISTAN | Jan. 09, 2024 13:35Reply
My residency permit was expired now i am reapplying for X1 visa
I am a Pakistani passport holder and was studying in china from march 2023 in hubei University of medicine. I migrated from there to north sichuan medical college my residency permit got expired now i am reappling for X1 visa to continue my studies of MBBS. What are the documents required?
Answers (1)
Answered by Maria | Jan. 10, 2024 19:48
00Reply


Generally, the documents needed are similar to those you used when applying. You can also contact the local entry and exit administration bureau to learn about more details.
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