Foreigners coming to China for travel, study or employment are required to obtain a Chinese visa for the duration of their intended stay. There are several different types of visas that one can apply for. Here's a short breakdown of each of the main visas that may assist you during your application process. These have been updated to reflect changes occurred within the immigration reform of July 1, 2013.
72-hour Stay/G Visa : This visa is obtained at the airport upon arrival. This visa will allow you into a few of China's major cities for a period of 72 hours without having to go through visa applications prior to arrival. The application should include an airplane, vehicle or boat ticket to a further destination with a confirmed date within the 72 hour period.
Tourist Visa/L Visa: this visa is issued for tourism, visiting family/friends or other personal affairs. The L visa's validity used to range from 30/60/90 days and sometimes even 180/365 days however it seems that it is down to only 30 days. As per the new immigration reform beginning on July 1, 2013, there is a group visa option that is only for people who are traveling on an approved tour with an approved company. The group visa must be applied for prior to arrival in China by the tour company.
Non-Commercial Business Visa/F Visa: this visa is issued to aliens who are invited to China for an investigation, a lecture, scientific-technological & cultural exchanges or sports related visits that are less than six months long. F visas are no longer renewed in China. This is the visa that causes more issues than any of the others. The Business/F Visa should not be issued for employment with a Chinese company or school however is frequently issued for this purpose. If the position is a paid position, then you should have a Work Visa/Z Visa. Unfortunately, the Z visa is rather difficult to get. So, to keep up with the demand for foreign teachers, companies will issue Business/F visas. While it is quite common for teachers to be working on an F visa, it is technically illegal and you should be careful if you choose to go this route.
Business/Commercial Visa/M Visa: this is a new visa as of July 1, 2013. This visa will be issued to aliens who are invited by a company or business partner for commercial stays.
Work Visa/Z Visa: according to the new immigration reform beginning on July 1, 2013, there will now be 2 Z visa options. Z1 visa will be for aliens who come to China for employment over 90 days while Z2 visa will be for aliens who come to China for employment or paid internships for a period shorter than 90days. This visa is issued to aliens who are going to China for a post or employment, and to their accompanying family members. If you are receiving money for a job from a Chinese company or school, this is the visa that you should have. Your company should assist in obtaining your Foreign Expert's Certificate/License and then in applying for the Z visa. During the initial application process, you will be asked to undergo a medical examination and you may be asked to leave the country to obtain this visa (there have been instances where they can issue the Z visa within China, however, this is proving to be rare). Many people will either go to their home country or to Hong Kong. This visa will need to be replaced by a Temporary Residence Permit in your passport that allows you to enter/exit China as you please.
Student Visa/X Visa: this visa is issued to aliens who are going to China for study, furthering studies or internships that are longer than six months. This visa will be split into either X1 (long-term study) or X2 (short-term study). This visa will need to be replaced by a Temporary Residence Permit in your passport that allows you to enter/exit China as you please. The school or institution should assist you with the visa process. You may request an exemption for part-time work under the X visa. The work exemption must be approved by your school program.
(There are other types of visas however these seem like the most relevant to our audience)
While the types of visas generally stay the same, the immigration reform beginning on July 1, 2013 has added to the list and changed some of the previous visa functions. The renewal requirements and enforcements of these requirements may change frequently. Check with your Chinese Embassy/Consulate prior to applying for a Chinese visa to verify the requirements. If you do have any questions about visas please contact us. We would be more than happy to try and help you or point you in the right direction.
*Visa exemption for nationals of Brunei, Singapore and Japan for up to 15 day stays.
Related articles: 72 hours visa-free stay in select Chinese cities
72-hour Stay/G Visa : This visa is obtained at the airport upon arrival. This visa will allow you into a few of China's major cities for a period of 72 hours without having to go through visa applications prior to arrival. The application should include an airplane, vehicle or boat ticket to a further destination with a confirmed date within the 72 hour period.
Tourist Visa/L Visa: this visa is issued for tourism, visiting family/friends or other personal affairs. The L visa's validity used to range from 30/60/90 days and sometimes even 180/365 days however it seems that it is down to only 30 days. As per the new immigration reform beginning on July 1, 2013, there is a group visa option that is only for people who are traveling on an approved tour with an approved company. The group visa must be applied for prior to arrival in China by the tour company.
Non-Commercial Business Visa/F Visa: this visa is issued to aliens who are invited to China for an investigation, a lecture, scientific-technological & cultural exchanges or sports related visits that are less than six months long. F visas are no longer renewed in China. This is the visa that causes more issues than any of the others. The Business/F Visa should not be issued for employment with a Chinese company or school however is frequently issued for this purpose. If the position is a paid position, then you should have a Work Visa/Z Visa. Unfortunately, the Z visa is rather difficult to get. So, to keep up with the demand for foreign teachers, companies will issue Business/F visas. While it is quite common for teachers to be working on an F visa, it is technically illegal and you should be careful if you choose to go this route.
Business/Commercial Visa/M Visa: this is a new visa as of July 1, 2013. This visa will be issued to aliens who are invited by a company or business partner for commercial stays.
Work Visa/Z Visa: according to the new immigration reform beginning on July 1, 2013, there will now be 2 Z visa options. Z1 visa will be for aliens who come to China for employment over 90 days while Z2 visa will be for aliens who come to China for employment or paid internships for a period shorter than 90days. This visa is issued to aliens who are going to China for a post or employment, and to their accompanying family members. If you are receiving money for a job from a Chinese company or school, this is the visa that you should have. Your company should assist in obtaining your Foreign Expert's Certificate/License and then in applying for the Z visa. During the initial application process, you will be asked to undergo a medical examination and you may be asked to leave the country to obtain this visa (there have been instances where they can issue the Z visa within China, however, this is proving to be rare). Many people will either go to their home country or to Hong Kong. This visa will need to be replaced by a Temporary Residence Permit in your passport that allows you to enter/exit China as you please.
Student Visa/X Visa: this visa is issued to aliens who are going to China for study, furthering studies or internships that are longer than six months. This visa will be split into either X1 (long-term study) or X2 (short-term study). This visa will need to be replaced by a Temporary Residence Permit in your passport that allows you to enter/exit China as you please. The school or institution should assist you with the visa process. You may request an exemption for part-time work under the X visa. The work exemption must be approved by your school program.
(There are other types of visas however these seem like the most relevant to our audience)
While the types of visas generally stay the same, the immigration reform beginning on July 1, 2013 has added to the list and changed some of the previous visa functions. The renewal requirements and enforcements of these requirements may change frequently. Check with your Chinese Embassy/Consulate prior to applying for a Chinese visa to verify the requirements. If you do have any questions about visas please contact us. We would be more than happy to try and help you or point you in the right direction.
*Visa exemption for nationals of Brunei, Singapore and Japan for up to 15 day stays.
Related articles: 72 hours visa-free stay in select Chinese cities
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