A Brief Introduction to Chinese VisaChinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to a foreigner according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type. The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters F, L, X, C, J-1, J-2, G, and D.
F Visa: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.
L Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for tourist purposes, family visiting or other personal affairs.
Z Visa: Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members.
X Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for the purpose of study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of six months or above.
C Visa: Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them.
J-1 Visa: Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.
J-2 Visa: Issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview mission in China.
G Visa: Issued to those who transit through China.
D Visa: Issued to applicant who is to reside permanently in China.
The Chinese visa authorities overseas include Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, and the consular department of the office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory, he shall apply to the above-mentioned Chinese visa authorities for a Chinese visa. For further information, please consult the nearest Chinese visa authorities
How to Apply for A Chinese VISATo apply for any type of Chinese visa, the following is required:
One completed visa application form, one recent passport sized photograph,
a valid original passport with blank pages. More documents are required
if applying for:
Tourist visa ------ L: the itinerary or flight booking.
Business visa---F: An invitation letter/ fax from a Chinese Government department or government-authorised company.
Work visa -------- Z: An
employment permit from the Ministry of Labour or the State Bureau of
Foreign Experts of China together with an invitation letter from the
company authorized by the Chinese Government.
Student visa------X: JW-201
or JW_202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China and a
letter of admission from a Chinese University / College.
Transit Visa --- G: A valid visa for the country of destination and the letter from the employer. Duration of transit visa is about 7 days. For British passport holder, the Chinese transit visa of 24-hour stop over in the airport is not required.
Journalist Visa -- J-1 or J-2: A letter from relevant Department in China or the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai or Guangdong Municipal Government and a letter from the employer..
Permanent Visa ----D: A Permit letter from a local government of China.
Visa validity
A single or double entries visa is usually valid for entry within 3 months
from the date of issue. The multi-entry visa is divided into three
categories, namely half a year / one year /two to five years visa.
Duration of stay / number of entries
Duration of stay of a visa may vary. It is possible to extend the duration
of stay of a visa in China. Visa is always required wherever you enter the
Chinese mainland even from Hong Kong or Macao.
Requirements towards passport
A. There must be at least one totally blank page in the passport.
Pages for endorsements or amendments can not be used as a visa page.
B. Single or double entry visa requires a passport valid for at least 6
months. For multiple entry visa, a passport should be valid for at least
9 Months.
Accompanying person using the same passport
The photo of the accompanying person using the same passport should be affixed
to the form. The full visa fee will apply.
Where to apply for a Chinese visa
Applicants should come in person or through a third party( e.g. travel agencies)
to apply for the Chinese visa during office hours 9 -12 am in Chinese Embassy
/ Chinese Consulates-General in Manchester or Edinburgh.
Visa collection
Visa is ready for collection at the Visa Section during office hours ( 9
--12am) after 3 working days (72 hours) from the date when the application
is accepted. Visa can Not be issued on the same day unless the same-day
airline ticket or the itinerary is presented.
Hong Kong and Macao visa
For the purpose of tour and business visa is not required for the British passport holder.
For more information, Please look over HKSAR Web site:
http://www.info.gov.hk/immd/, for Hong Kong visa and
http://www.macau.gov.mo/index_cn.html for Macao visa.
Visa fees
Cash or Postal order only (pay to the Chinese Embassy). Personal Cheque
is not acceptable.
Pay on collection. No refund if the visa is turned down or cancelled.
(GBR)
|
Single
|
Double
|
Multiple Entry Visa |
For British citizens
|
30
|
45
|
60(half- year )
|
90 (one year)
|
90 (2-5 Years)
|
For American citizens
|
30
|
50
|
65
|
100
|
100
|
| All other Nationalities |
20
|
30
|
40
|
60
|
60
|
Same day service: extra 20 per person.
|
| Express Service (48 hour ): extra 15 per person. |
| Visa (or Entry Permit) fee for Hong Kong and Macao
: 30 per person. |
| Group visa fee: 24 per person |
Group visa
A tourist group should comprise at least 5 members. Require:
1. Confirmation letter /Fax from an authorized Chinese travel agency or
tourist bureau.
2. Photocopies of the passports of all group members.
3. Typed name list of the group in TRIPLICATE.
4. A front page covering information about the group.
5. The serial number given to group members should be listed in order
on the group visa form.
6. The group visa form can be obtained upon request. It takes 2 weeks
to process a group visa.
NOTES
1. The application for a visa may be declined if the applicant fails
to provide with true and complete information on the visa application
form.
2. The applicant should check the issued visa upon collection and,
if necessary raise any queries at the same. Once accepted, they should
follow the content of the visa while visiting China. If there is no immediate
inquiry relating to the issued visa, the applicant is held responsible
under any circumstances thereafter.
3. The person holding X, Z, D, or J-1 visa shall go through residential
formalities in the local public security departments of China within 30
days of the date of entry.
4. The applicant should not engage in activities incompatible with
his / her status when he/she enters China.
5. For foreign visitors employment in the territory of China is
prohibited without approval.
Address and Office hours of the Visa Office of the Chinese Embassy and
Consulate-General in U.K.
Visa Office in Chinese Embassy : 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD
Office Hours: 9:00am--12:00noon, Monday--Friday.
(Except British and Chinese holidays)
The office is not open to the public in the afternoon
Telephone inquiry :020-76311430 ( 2:00pm -- 4:00pm , Monday-- Friday
)
Fax:020-74369178 Web Site : www.chinese-embassy.org.uk
Visa Office Of the Consulate-General in Manchester:
Denison House, 49 Denison Road, Rusholme, Manchester M14 5RX
Office Hours: 9:00am--12:00noon, Monday--Friday. (Except British
and Chinese holidays)
The office is not open to the public in the afternoon
Telephone inquiry : 0161- 224 8672 ( 2:00pm -- 4:00pm, Monday--
Friday ) Fax: 0161-2572672
Visa Office Of the Consulate-General in Edinburgh:
55 Corstorphine Road. Edinburgh EH12 5QG
Office Hours: 9:00am--12:00noon, Monday--Friday. (Except British
and Chinese holidays)
The office is not open to the public in the afternoon
Telephone inquiry :0131- 3373220 ( 2:00pm -- 4:00pm, Monday-- Friday
) Fax: 0131-3371790