From the 1st of Sep 2013, the China visa type is changed according to new China visa regulations.
We update the latest China visa types here and keep the old China visa types on this page.
New China visa types
|
Visa Categories |
Description of Visa |
|
C |
Issued to foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships. |
|
D |
Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. |
|
F |
Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study toursand other activities. |
|
G |
Issued to those who intend to transit through China. |
|
J1 |
Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. |
|
J2 |
Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. |
|
L |
Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist. |
|
M |
Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. |
|
Q1 |
Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. |
|
Q2 |
Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. |
|
R |
Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China. |
|
S1 |
Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. |
|
S2 |
Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. "family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. |
|
X1 |
Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. |
|
X2 |
Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. |
|
Z |
Issued to those who intend to work in China. |
Former China visa types
China visa sorted by two categories and devided into nine types, namely, ordinary and diplomatic visa. The Ordinary visa consists of eight types, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters F, L, Z, X, C, J-1, J-2, G, and D.
Ordinary Visa
L Visa = Tourist visa
Issued to foreigners who enter China temporarily for touring, family visiting or other personal affairs. Single-entry, double-entry tourist visa are available. The maximum stay in China for each entry is 30 days. Multiple-entry is not granted for tourist visa.
F Visa = Business/Visit Visa
Issued to foreigners who are invited to China for business visit, research, lecture, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges. Single-entry, double-entry, 6-month-multiple-entry, one-year-multiple-entry business visa are available. The maximum stay in China for each entry is 30 days.
Z Visa = Work Visa
Issued to foreigners who are to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members.
X Visa = Student Visa
Issued to aliens who goes to China for study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of more than six months. If the study period is no more than six months, then the applicant shall apply for a business visa (type F).
C Visa = Crewmember Visa
Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and their accompanying family members.
J Visa = Journalist Visa
J-1 visa issued to foreign journalists who are posted to China for at least one year.
J-2 visa issued to foreign journalists who are on temporary interview mission in China.
G Visa = Transit Visa
Issued to aliens transit through China. U.S. passport holders must obtain a transit visa to transit through all Chinese airports except Pudong International Airport in Shanghai.
D Visa = Residence Visa
Issued to foreigners who are going to live in China permanently.
Diplomatic and Service Visa
Issued to the foreign government officials and the staff of diplomatic missions and of the United Nations who travel to China for official mission or accreditation.
