What is the main purpose of your visit to China and which is the most appropriate visa category for your application?

　　 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 toursand 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.

　　Here are the documents you shall prepare before submission of visa application:

　　1. 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.

　　(2) Visa Application Form and Photo

　　One completed Visa Application 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 citizensthose 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.)

　　2. Supporting Documents

　　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, 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.

　　Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese  Embassy/Consulate General in advanceor and complete relevant  formalities.

　　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.

　　Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese  Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete the required  formalities.

　　L-Visa

　　Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record  (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, 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, 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

　　(1) 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:

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

　　b) 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)

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

　　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, 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, 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

　　R-Visa

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

　　S1-Visa

　　(1) An invitation letter from 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, 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.)

　　(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and 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 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 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, 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.

　　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 or Notification  Letter of Foreigners Work Permit 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 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.

　　3. Special Reminder

　　(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or  computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to  submit the original of the invitation letter..

　　(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to  provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an  interview with the applicant.

　　(3) 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.

　　(4) For further details, please visit the web-site of the relevant Chinese Embassy or Consulate General.