To travel in China, citizens of virtually all other countries need a visa. Getting a Chinese visa is easy for Western tourists, as you don't need an invitation, for example. Chinese Visa is quite cheap compared to other countries' visa fees, with approximately 20€ (200 Chinese RMB) for one Visa. The usual tourist single-entry Chinese visa is valid for thirty days and must be used within three months after it was issued. In some cases, it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival to China, but it is recommended to get your visa in advance.

A Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese visa authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from or transit through China. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to an alien according to his status, purpose of visit to China or passport type. The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters C, D, F, G, J-1, J-2, L, X and Z.

Chinese Visa Categories

(L) Type Chinese Visa: Visa for visitors to China

Chinese (L) Visa is issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing or visiting family members/friends. Usually the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry (L) visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of a Chinese L type visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. The duration of stay of an (L) visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. The Chinese visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay in China for more than 30 days.

(F) Type Chinese Visa: Visa for doing business in China

(F) Visa is issued to an alien who is invited to China for a visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internship for a period of no more than six months. Usually, the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry (F) visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. The duration of stay of a (F) visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. The visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay in China for more than 30 days.

(Z) Type Chinese Visa: Visa for working in China

(Z) Visa is issued to an alien who comes to China for a post or employment, and his/her accompanying family members. (Z) visa is valid for one entry, three months. The holder of a (Z) visa shall go through residential formalities in the local public security department within thirty days of entry into China.

Any person suffering from mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China.

(X) Type Chinese Visa: Visa for studying in China

(X) Visa is issued to an alien who comes to China for study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of more than six months. An alien who comes to China to study, short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months shall apply for a (F) Visa. Generally, (X) visa is valid for one entry, three months. American citizens may apply multiple entry (X) visas valid for 12 months, and the application fee is $150. The holder of a (X) visa must go through residential formalities in the local public security department within thirty days of entry into China.

Chinese Visa Application Forms

Chinese Visa application forms are available on the web site of the Embassy of China in the U S. You can download the forms here: Chinese Visa Application Forms

China Visa Information on the Web

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikitravel article "China". It also based on information by the Chinese Embassy in the U S A.