All foreigners need an entry visa. If part of a group, the tour operator will
often obtain your visa for you; group visas will usually be issued for groups
with at least 10 members, and the guide accompanying your group will keep the
visas. Individual travellers can apply at any Chinese embassy. The procedure is
usually straightfor
ward and takes about a week.
If your visa runs out while in China, it can be extended by the local
Public Security Bureau, 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 Application
1. For 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.
2. For group tourist visas, A group comprising at least 5 members; a
confirmation letter from a provincial tourist bureau or a government-authorized
Chinese travel agency; a name list of the whole group in triplicate and one
photo copy of the information page of each passport.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. For multiple entry visitor/business visas (6 months or one year), an
invitation letter from government-authorized Chinese organizations is
required.
8. 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.
9. 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.)
10. 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).
11 You should provide your original passport, a complete visa application
from and one recent passport-size (2x2) photo (full face and without hat).
12. For Canadian passport holder, $50 (Canadian Dollars) is charged for a
single entry/transit visa, $100 for double entries/transits visa, $150 for 1-6
months multiple entries business visa and $300 for one year multiple entries
business visa.
13. Seven days are needed for regular processing. An additional $40 rush
fee per person is charged for one day service (If you deliver your application
before 10:30 am, then you can get your passport between 12:00-13:00), an
additional $30 per person for two days service and an additional $20 per person
for three days service.
14. The applicants can apply by mail or courier, you are requested to
provide a self-addressed return envelop with sufficient stamps for registered,
double registered or express-post (Do not use meter stamps). If you need to
return your passport promptly, please prepare a self-addressed and pre-paid
envelop of a courier such as Priority Courier or Federal Express. Except the
cost of post and courier, additional $2.00 handling fee per person should be
provided.
15. The Chinese Embassies and Consulate General will not be responsible for
any mishandling by post office or courier.
16. 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.
17. Persons suffering from mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal
disease, contagious tuberculosis or other infectious diseases shall not be
allowed to enter China.
18. 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
