How to Obtain the Chinese
Visa
1. Tourist Visa Foreigners wishing to travel to China
should apply to a local Chinese embassy or consulate for tourist visas(L). In the event of
a group tour of more than nine persons , the organizer has to apply for group tourist
visas(L). Foreigners requesting to visit Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen Special Economic
Zones may apply directly to visa authorities in these zones for tourist visas to special
economic zones. Foreign tourist groups from Hong Kong for a 72-hour visit to the Shenzhen
Special Economic Zone are exempt from entry visas. When applying for a visa, foreigners
are required to answer certain questions and go through the following formalities:
- 1) providing a valid passport or any document in place of a passport;
- 2) filling in a visa application form and handing in up-to-date passport photos;
- 3) submitting documents needed for visa application and documents which explain one's
reason(s) to enter China.
- Points for foreigners with tourist visas:
- A foreigner holding the tourist visa (L) should go to an appointed port of entry or one
which is opened to foreigners, receive the examination by a frontier inspection station,
submit a valid passport and visa for inspection, and fill in an entry card; entry into
China is granted only after the frontier inspection has approved all the documents and
stamped them with an entry seal.
- Foreigners may travel in places opened to them in China with a valid passport and
tourist visa(L). By March 1996, China had opened 1, 220 cities and counties to foreign
visitors. Foreigners travelling with their own transport vehicles should apply for
approval before they enter China. These include bicycles, motorcycles, cars, boats and
aircrafts.
- Foreign tourists are not allowed to enter areas not opened to foreigners; violators will
be penalized according to law. Foreigners who want to visit an area on business not opened
to them should apply to the local public security organ for a Foreigners Travel Permit .
When they apply for such a permit, they should show their own passports and valid visas,
provide letters which explain the reasons for such a visit , and fill in the Application
Form for Foreign Travellers. Only after approval is granted, can they enter the area not
opened to foreign visitors. The Foreigners Travel Permit should be used along with the
passport.
- When applying for lodging in a hotel, guesthouse, school or any other Chinese
establishment , a foreign visitor should provide a valid passport and fill in a
registration form for temporary lodging. A foreign visitor staying with a Chinese family
should apply to the local public security organ within seventy-two hours after arrival
with valid identification documents of both the guest and the host. A foreign visitor
staying with a Chinese family in a rural area should apply to the local police station or
residential administrative organ within seventy-two hours after arrival. This stipulation
also applies to a foreign visitor staying in a foreign establishment or with a foreigner's
family in China.
- A foreign tourist may travel in China within the approved period of time. If he wishes
to continue travelling in China after the approved time of his stay expires, he should
apply to the local public security organ for the extension of his stay. After he has
finished his travel in China, he should fill in an exit document before his visa expires
and submit his documents to the frontier inspection station in a port opened to
foreigners; he is allowed to leave the country only after his document is stamped with an
approval seal.
- A foreigner staying in China with a tourist visa (L) is not allowed to engage in
activities beyond the capacity as a tourist, such as employment, religious propaganda and
illegal journalist interviewing. Violators of this stipulation will be punished. The
Chinese Government protects the lawful rights of foreigners in China. On their part,
foreigners staying in China should abide by the Chinese laws and respect the Chinese
habits and customs, and on no account should they do anything to jeopardize China's
national security, public interests and social order.
- A foreigner who has lost his passport in China should promptly report to the local
public security organ, explain what has happened, apply to the Embassy or Consulate of his
own country for an exit document with a certificate issued by the local public security
organ, and go through related formalities at an entry and exit inspection department. Only
then is he allowed to leave China.
- 2. Business, Work or Student Visa In addition to the above
mentioned documents, the followings are required:
a. For business visa, long term work visa and multiple visa: An invitation
letter/telegram from the Chinese Government or Government-authorized Chinese company.
b. For student visa: An application form for international students ( JW202) issued by the
State Education Commission of China and a notification of admission from the receiving
college with the seal of the Commission.
c. For Government officials and members of missions traveling to China for official
business or accreditation: An official note from the government or the mission.
d. For students and those on business whose stay in China exceed 6months: A notarized
health certificate.
- 3. For transit visa A valid visa to the country of
destination, a letter of invitation or an air ticket.
- 4. Visa fee for US passport holder (no personal check please)
one entry $30
two entries $40
multiple-entry ( 6 months) $50
multiple-entry ( 12 months) $90
- 5. Picking-up Available after 5 working days. In case of
emergency, airline ticket has to be shown and an approval obtained from the visa officer
and an extra fee charged: the same day $30, next day $20, and third day $10. Picking up by
proxy is permitted with the receipt.
- 6. Sending application by mail:
- a. application must fully meet the above-mentioned requirement.
- b. self-addressed return envelope with sufficient postage for Express Mail.
- c. an extra charge $5 for mailing service. This office will not be responsible for any
mishandling of mail by Post Office or any delivery agent.
- Also, see tourist visa application
requirement for Hong Kong citizens or announcement concerning the
application for entry visas into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and
for passports of HKSAR
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