Visa & Passport

All foreigners need an entry visa. Individual travellers can apply at any Chinese embassy. The procedure is usually straightforward and takes about a week.

If your visa runs out while in China, it can be extended by the local Public Security Bureau (PSB), the police. However, make sure you visit them before it expires, because you will be fined for overstaying your visa.

A valid passport is required to enter China. China does not allow entrance if the holder's passport expires in under six months; returning home with an expired passport is illegal, and may result in a fine.

It is a good idea to photocopy the page of your passport that contains your photograph, passport number, and other identifying information, along with other important documents such as visas, travel insurance policies, aeroplane tickets, and traveller's check serial numbers, in case you lose anything. Originals are usually preferred to photocopies; however, copies are certainly better than nothing and will often do in a pinch.

Information for Chinese Visa ApplicationFor tourist "L" visas, a letter of confirmation of the tour arrangement made by a travel agency in China or letter of reservation of hotel in Chin is required.

For visitor / business "F" visa, an official invitation letter with a seal and code from a Chinese Ministry or a provincial government or government-authorized Chinese companies (institutions) is required.

For work "Z" visa (single entry, no multiple), an employment license or a work permit or an official visa notice from authorized Chinese organizations is required.

For student "X"/"F" visa (single entry, no multiple) , Form JW202 or JW 201 issued by the State Education Commission of China and notice of admission from the receiving university are required. An "X" visa is issued for those who study in China over 6 months and "F" visa for those who study in China less than 6 months. When you apply for "Z" and "X" visa, you should provide a "physical examination Record for Foreigner" which can be picked up from the Chinese embassies or Consulate General.

For multiple entry visitor/business visas (6 months or one year), an invitation letter from government-authorized Chinese organizations is required.

For transit "G" visa , it is requested to provide a valid visa to or from the next country of destination or a letter of invitation of the visiting country or an air ticket.

For travel to Tibet, please contact your local travel agency to obtain approval from the Tourist Bureau of Tibet before applying for visa. (Tibet Tourist Bureau, Lhasa, Tibet, China, Telephone: (86-891 633 4313 Facsimile: 86-891-633 4632.)Please be sure that your passport should be valid over 6 months with blank visa pages. To applying for multiple entries visas, the validity of the passport must be longer enough. Suggested time to apply for visa is one month before your departure (to avoid expiration of the visa).

You should provide your original passport, a complete visa application from and one recent passport-size (2x2) photo (full face and without hat).

The Chinese Embassies and Consulate General will not be responsible for any mishandling by post office or courier.
Personal checks are not acceptable. Money order or company check should be made to the order of the Embassy or Consulate General of the People's Republic of China. Cash is accepted when you come to the visa office in person.
Persons suffering from mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal disease, contagious tuberculosis or other infectious diseases shall not be allowed to enter China.
The Chinese Embassies or Consulate Generals reserves the right to refuse any application and withhold disclosure of the reason. All regulation and cost are subject to change without notice. If you have any question, please write or send fax to the Chinese consulate general or embassy in the area you live.

Z-type Visa

* Z-type visa is granted to foreigner with permission to work in China .

* Z-type visa holder should, within 30 days after the entry, apply for the foreigner residence certificate or the provisional foreigner residence certificate.

*Z-type visa could be signed valid for twice or multiple entries.

* The certificate for invitation or employment from a Chinese employer, or the letter or telex of visa notification sent by the authorized unit is needed when applying for Z-type visa.

* Foreigner applying for more-than-one-year residence in China should submit a health certificate issued by the medical and health department designated by the government of his own country. The health certificate will be valid for six months starting from the day of issuance.

Guide for the Employment of Foreigner in China

Foreigners who have not been issued residence certificate and those who are under study or interim programs in China shall not work in China without the approval by the competent authorities.

( Holders of F, L, G, J-2 or C- type visas shall not work or seek a job in China without the approval of the personnel administration department.)

Foreigner with permission to work in China should apply for Z or J-1-type visa at the Chinese embassies, consulates and visa offices,bringing with them the invitation or employment certificate sent by the Chinese employer, or the letter or telex of visa notification sent by the authorized unit. They should apply for the foreigner residence certificate at the local public security organ within 30 days after the entry.

Foreigners who settle down in China and those with permanent residence certificate shall work or seek a job in China.

Foreign employee should carry the labor contract with his Chinese employer, and should not change his employer or profession at will.

Foreign employee should submit another application and go through formalities for a new employment license when he wants to seek a new job upon the expiration of the term of the labor contact with his employer; otherwise, the new job will be regarded as illegal.

Foreign employee should go through alternation formalities at the public security organs when he changes employer after the termination of a labor contract, bringing with him the certificates of new employment and termination of the former one.

For foreigners who work without the employment permit, the administrative department of the public security organs in charge of the entry and exit of aliens is authorized to terminate the employment and impose a fine of under 1,000 RMB Yuan. In serious cases, the public security organs shall force the foreigners to leave within a definite time.