Tips for foreigners to apply for Chinese visa

It is vital for expats to understand China’s visa policies, whether they are traveling to China for tourism, work, study or visiting family. This article will detail the process of applying for a Chinese visa for foreigners and provide some of the things you need to be aware of when entering China.

1. Choose and confirm the visa type

Depending on the purpose of coming to China, foreigners need to apply for different types of visas. Before applying for a visa, the applicant must be clear about the purpose of his/her visit to China and double-check the type of visa he/she needs to apply for. There are many different types of visas available in China, so it is important to confirm your purpose of visit and choose the correct type of visa before applying.

Business Visa (M Visa):

For those who are traveling to China for business and trade activities.

Tourist Visa (L Visa):

for people traveling to China.

Family Reunion Visa (Q1 and Q2 Visa)

Q1 Visa:

applicable to persons applying for residence in China for family reunion. The applicant should be a family member of a Chinese citizen or a family member of a foreigner with permanent residence status in China; or a person applying for entry for residence in China for reasons such as fostering, etc., and staying in China for more than 180 days.

Q2 Visa:

Applicable to persons who go to China for short-term family visit. The applicant shall be a relative of a Chinese citizen residing in China or a relative of a foreigner with permanent residence status in China, and shall stay in China for not more than 180 days.

Type S Visa:

S1 Visa:

It is applicable to go to China for a long-term visit to a foreigner who is staying in China for work, study or other reasons. The applicant shall be the alien’s spouse, parents, children under the age of 18 or parents of the spouse; or those who need to stay in China for other private affairs and stay in China for more than 180 days.

S2 Visa:

Applicable to short-term visits to China to visit a foreigner who is staying in China for work, study or other reasons. The applicant should be a member of the foreigner’s family; or a person who needs to stay in China for other personal affairs, and his/her stay in China does not exceed 180 days.

2.Visa Application Process

Confirm the type of visa

L Visa (Tourist Visa):

The duration of stay is relatively short.

Q1 Visa (Reunion Visa):

can stay in China for more than 180 days, one year single entry. Within 30 days after entering China, you must go to the local immigration authorities to apply for residence in China, and the exact duration of stay depends on the immigration department.

Q2 visa (reunion visa):

can stay in China for not more than 180 days.

3.Visa validity and duration of stay

According to China’s visa policy, different types of visas have different validity periods and lengths of stay. For example, a tourist visa is usually valid for 3 months and the duration of stay is 30 days. The exact length of stay will depend on the actual situation.

Matters to note when entering China

• Hold valid documents and visas: When entering China, you must hold a valid passport and corresponding visa.
• Comply with Chinese laws and regulations: In China, foreigners must comply with Chinese laws and regulations and respect local customs and habits.
• Maintain good behavior: Expatriates should maintain good behavior and avoid any behavior that may violate Chinese laws.
• Declare personal information: When entering China, foreigners need to truthfully declare their personal information and cooperate with the relevant authorities.

By understanding these visa procedures and entry considerations, expatriates can better plan their trip to China, ensure smooth entry and comply with the relevant regulations while in China.