Instructions for Applying for a Visa to the People's Republic of China
2023/08/09


Visa is a permit issued by visa authorities of one country in accordance with its laws and regulations to a foreign citizen for entry into, exit from or transit through its territory. 

According to international law and international practice, any sovereign country has the right to independently decide whether to allow foreigners to enter or leave its border, issue visas, refuse visas or revoke issued visas in accordance with its own laws.

The Chinese visa authorities decide the category, times for entry, validity and duration of stay of visas issued in accordance with laws and relevant regulations, and has the right to reject the visa applications of the parties concerned or revoke the issued visas.

1. Visa Categories

Please choose to apply for the appropriate visa categories according to your major purpose for visiting China.

Categories Description of Visa

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 tours and 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.

2. Basic Documents

  (1) Passport

Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate. The validity plus the duration of stay of the Chinese visa shall not exceed the validity of the passport.

  (2) Visa Application Form and Photo

Please complete the Visa Application Form online and print the confirmation page along with the form with a recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background attached.

  (3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)

  If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of the country where you are currently staying.

  (4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)

  If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.

If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page. (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change.)

  3. Supporting Documents (Fax, photocopy or computer printout can be used if it is not indicated that the original must be provided)

  C-Visa

  A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China

  D-Visa

  The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.

  We kindly remind you that:

  Holders of D Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

  F-Visa

  An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain:

  (1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)

  (2) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)

  (3) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

  G-Visa

  An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region.

J1-Visa

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.

  We kindly remind you that:

  Holders of J1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

J2-Visa

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.

L-Visa

Documents including air ticket booking record (round trip) , proof of a hotel reservation, travel plan, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter should contain:

  (1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)

  (2) Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)

  (3) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

  M-Visa

    Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain:

  (1)Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)

  (2) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)

(3)Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

Those who have visited China with M-Visa several times can apply for multiple-entry visa valid for more than 12 months.

  Q1-Visa

  For family reunion, the following documents are required:

  (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

  a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)

  b) Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)

  c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)

  (2) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit.

  (3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.

  "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

  For foster care, the following documents are required:

  (1)Foster entrustment notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China

  (2)Original and photocopy of the consignor's passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) notarized and authenticated certification showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children.

  (3) A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee.

  (4) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, provided that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.

  We kindly remind you that:

  Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

  Q2-Visa

  (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

  a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)

  b) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)

  c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.)

(2) Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual

(3) If documentation showing the relationship of spouses, parents, sons and daughters between the applicant and the referent can be provided, (marriage certificate, birth certificate, notarized certificates of kinship or proof of kinship issued by Public Security Stations) , the applicant can apply for multiple- entry visa valid for more than 12 months.

R-Visa

The applicant should submit relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations, and meet the relevant requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high-level talents and individual with special skills urgently needed by China,

S1-Visa

(1) The inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit.

(2) An invitation letter from the inviting individual which contains:

  a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)

  b) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

  c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.

  "immediate family members " refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law.

  We kindly remind you that:

  Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

S2-Visa

For visiting family members for a short period, the applicant can apply for multiple-entry S2-Visa, the validity of which shall not exceed the duration of stay in China of the inviting individual. The following documents are required:

  (1)An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:

  a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)

  b) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

  c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

  (2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or lives in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit

  (3) Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual.

    "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

  For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer. Those who can provide the real estate ownership certificate under or with the applicant's name, or the real estate purchase and sale contract notarized by a domestic notary office in China,can apply for multiple-entry visa valid for more than 12 months.

  X1-Visa

  (1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.

  (2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

  We kindly remind you that: 

  Holders of X1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

  X2-Visa

  Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.

  Z-Visa

  One of the following documents:

  (1) Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China issued by Chinese government authorities for Human Resources and Social Security, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.

  (2) Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.

  (3) Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.

  (4) An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs or Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Foreign Affairs Office of provincial governments of China.

  (5)Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;

  We kindly remind you that:

  Holders of Z Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

  

4. Special Reminder

(1) The consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant depending on the case.

(2) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

(3) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout. The consular officer will verify the relevant information, and may require the applicant to submit the original copy of the invitation letter. Falsification may result in the refusal or revocation of a visa, or denial of entry into China.

5.Application method

(1) For diplomatic, official and courtesy visas, please come to the Chinese Embassy in Sweden or Chinese Consulate General in Gothenburg for the application. Please complete the application form online (website: cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn), print out the confirmation page and the form, and submit with other application materials.

(2)For ordinary visas, please come to the visa center in Stockholm or Gothenburg for the application. Please complete the application form online (website: www.visaforchina.cn), print out the confirmation page and the form, and submit with other application materials.