Chinese Visa Information 

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Types of Chinese Visas

1. Diplomatic Visa (外交签证)

• Applicable to: Foreign government officials, diplomatic personnel, and their families.
• Purpose: For individuals entering China on official diplomatic missions.

2. Courtesy Visa (礼遇签证)

• Applicable to: Senior foreign government officials, representatives of international organizations, etc.
• Purpose: For senior officials and their delegations visiting China on official business.

3. Service Visa (公务签证)

• Applicable to: Foreign government officials, staff of international organizations, etc.
• Purpose: For foreign government officials visiting or working in China on official duties.

4. Ordinary Visa (普通签证)

Ordinary visas are further categorized based on the purpose of entry:

a. Tourist Visa (L Visa)

• Applicable to: Foreign citizens visiting China for tourism, family visits, or other private matters.
• Purpose: Short-term tourism and family visits.

b. Visit Visa (F Visa)

• Applicable to: Foreign citizens invited to China for visits, inspections, lectures, business, cultural exchanges, or internships lasting no more than six months.
• Purpose: Short-term business, academic exchanges, and visits.

c. Study Visa (X Visa)

• Applicable to: Foreign citizens coming to China for study, advanced studies, or internships.
• Purpose: Long-term (X1) or short-term (X2) study.

d. Work Visa (Z Visa)

• Applicable to: Foreign citizens and their accompanying family members coming to China for work, commercial performances, or academic exchanges.
• Purpose: Employment in China.

e. Transit Visa (G Visa)

• Applicable to: Foreign citizens transiting through China to a third country, staying at the airport for more than 24 hours, or exiting the airport.
• Purpose: Transit through China.

f. Crew Visa (C Visa)

• Applicable to: International train crew members, flight crew, seafarers, and their families engaged in international transportation tasks.
• Purpose: International transportation duties.

g. Journalist Visa (J Visa)

• Applicable to: Foreign resident journalists (J1) and temporary foreign journalists (J2) visiting China for reporting.
• Purpose: News reporting.

h. Residence Visa (D Visa)

• Applicable to: Foreign citizens approved to settle in China.
• Purpose: Permanent residence in China.

i. Private Affairs Visa (S Visa)

• Applicable to: Spouses, parents, children, and other relatives of foreigners residing in China for work or study.
• Purpose: Long-term (S1) or short-term (S2) visits.

j. Talent Visa (R Visa)

• Applicable to: High-level foreign talents and urgently needed specialized talents required by the state.
• Purpose: Work or residence in China.

II. Visa-Free Policies

1. Unilateral Visa-Free Policy

As of March 2025, China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for the following 38 countries. Citizens of these countries holding ordinary passports can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit:

Below is the table translated into English:

2. Transit Visa-Free Policy

China offers a transit visa-free policy for citizens from 54 countries, with an extended stay period of up to 240 hours (10 days). These citizens can enter China visa-free through 24 open ports in 60 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) when transiting to a third country.

3. Mutual Visa-Free Agreements

China has concluded comprehensive mutual visa-free agreements with the following 27 countries:

Below is the translated table in English:

4. Other Visa-Free Policies

• Greater Bay Area and Shantou City: Citizens from countries with diplomatic relations with China, organized by Hong Kong or Macau travel agencies, can enter 10 cities in the Greater Bay Area and Shantou visa-free for up to 144 hours.
• ASEAN Country Tourist Groups: Tourist groups from ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia) can enter Guilin in Guangxi and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan visa-free for up to 144 hours or 6 days.
• Hainan Island: Citizens from 59 countries can enter Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days.

III. Visa Policy Optimization

Since November 2024, China has further optimized its visa policies:

• The visa-free stay period has been extended from 15 days to 30 days.
• The visa application process has been simplified, with the cancellation of appointments and fingerprinting for short-term applicants.
• Visa fees have been temporarily reduced.

IV. Notes

• Visa-free policies apply only to holders of ordinary passports.
• Specific policies may change due to adjustments by countries or regions. It is recommended to check the latest information before traveling.

For further information on visa-free policies or specific visa requirements for individual countries, it is recommended to visit the Chinese Consular Service website or contact Chinese embassies or consulates abroad.

V. Visa Application Process

1. Online Application: Complete the visa application form through the Chinese Online Visa Application System (https://cova.mfa.gov.cn).
2. Prepare Materials: Gather the required documents based on the type of visa, such as passport, photo, invitation letter, etc.
3. Submit Application: Submit the application at the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad.
4. Collect Visa: Collect the visa after approval.

For more detailed information on visa policies or the application process, it is recommended to visit the Chinese Consular Service website or contact Chinese embassies or consulates abroad.

FAQ - General Visa Information