Visas For P. R. China

1. According to bilateral agreements between China and foreign countries, citizens of some countries who meet requirements set out in the bilateral agreements may enter China without a visa. You may read for details the List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption between the China and Foreign Countries.
The Philippines Diplomatic or Official passports holders are exempted from visa requirement for temporary visits to China for a period not exceeding 30 days.
2. Foreigners who have confirmed onward tickets and seats on international flights and directly transit through China and stay for no more than 24 hours within the airport boundaries shall not need to apply for a visa.
3. No visas are required for citizens of the following countries, who hold valid passports with confirmed onward tickets and seats on international flights, and transit through Beijing International Airport and stay in Beijing, or transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai and stay in Shanghai, for no more than 72 hours: Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lativa, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, America, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the Uinted Arab Emirates, Qatar.
4. Citizens of the countries having diplomatic relations with China holding ordinary passports and on a tour to Hong Kong or Macao, and participating in group tours to the Zhu Jiang River (Pearl River) Delta Area for a stay of less than 6 days organized by the travel services registered in Hong Kong or Macao, shall not need to apply for a visa. The Zhu Jiang River (Pearl River) Delta Area refers to the following cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing and Huizhou.
5. Citizens of the following countries holding ordinary passports , and in group tours to Hainan Province for a stay of no more than 15 days organized by the international travel services approved by the National Tourism Administration of China and registered in Hainan Province, shall not need to apply for visas: America, Malaysia, Thailand, Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Germany, Britain, France, Austria, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Japan and Singapore. Among those mentioned above, a tourist group of citizens of Republic of Korea, Germany and Russia may stay for no more than 21 days.
6. Citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan holding ordinary passports may enter China without a visa provided that they come to China for tourism, family visit, business or transit, and intend to stay in China for no more than 15 days. However, the following personnel of these three countries must apply for a visa in advance if: a) They are holders of ordinary passports, and come to China for tourism, family visit or business, and intend to stay in China for more than 15 days; b) They are holders of ordinary passports, and come to China for study, employment, permanent residence or on a news reporting mission.
7. A holder of a valid APEC Business Travel Card.
8. A holder of a valid Residence Permit for Aliens issued by the public security organs in China.
9. A holder of a valid Permanent Residence Card for Aliens of the P R China.

Tourist and family visit visa (L-visa)

Tourist and family visit visa (L-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for tourist purpose, family visit or other personal affairs.

1. Application Materials and Requirements

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page.

2) Visa Application Form – You must submit truthfully completed and signed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China. Do not leave any field blank. Write N/A if the question does not apply to you.

3) Photo – Affix one color photo on the Application Form. The photo should be recent, front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. Glue the photo to the appropriate field. Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos will not be accepted.

4) Invitation Letter – An Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by an Authorized Travel Agency or other travel agencies in China, or an invitation letter from your relative/friend who must attach his/her personal ID copy. If you can not acquire either of them, you must submit printout of round-trip airline ticket and hotel reservation.
5) First Time Chinese Visa Applicant – You must submit information about your finances and employment or studies, which you should consider providing bank certificate of deposit balance including the past 6 months history of your bank account and the receipt for payment of this certificate, BIR-stamped income tax return form, letter from your employer detailing your salary and the length of your employment, business registration certificate if you are the owner, professional ID, etc. If you have the Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by Authorized Travel Agency in China, you do not need to submit the above-mentioned certificates.

6) Original Chinese Passport – First-time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, or who was born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), need to submit the original Chinese passport and a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page, and extension page (if applicable). You do not need to submit income tax return form and bank statement.

7) Previous Chinese Visa – Foreign Chinese who were born in China and had obtained a Chinese visa before, when applying for visa with a new passport, should submit a photocopy of the original passport's information/photo page and the page containing the previous Chinese visa.

8) Certificate of Name Change – If the name in the new passport is different from that in the original one, the official document (birth certificate/marriage contract) issued by authorities for name change must be submitted.

9) Non-Philippines Nationals – You must submit valid proof of residency, employment or study in the Philippines. Temporary visitors should apply for Chinese visas in their own countries, for special cases and if the applicant can provide valid proof of ID and employment, the visa officer will make the final decision on a case-by-case basis. A Supplementary Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China is also needed.

10) Visit Tibet – You may join a tourist group organized by Authorized Travel Agency. If you plan to visit Tibet individually, you may contact the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region (Tel: 0086-891-6834313; Fax: 0086-891-6834632) in advance and provide a Visa Notification issued by it.

11) Applicants applying for special tour to China (self-driving, hiking, cycling, horse-riding, hot air balloon, or other expeditions) should provide an original copy of Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by Authorized Travel Agency.

Authorized Travel Agency refers to

a) Tourism administration bureau of Chinese province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

b) CITS Group Corporation, CITS Head Office, CTS Head Office, CYTS, etc.

2. How to Apply

An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.

Mailed and faxed applications/documents will not be accepted.

You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

3. Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Number of Entries	Single	Double	6 months-multiple	12 months-Multiple
Philippines Passport	1400	2100	2800	4200
U.S.A Passport	6500	6500	6500	6500
Other Passports	1700	2550	3400	5100

Regular processing time is 4 working days.

Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted now.

Business Visa (F-visa)

Business Visa (F-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, exchanges in the fields of science, technology, education, culture and sports, or attending various kinds of trade fairs or exhibitions, or short-term study, intern practice, for a period of no more than six months.

1. Application Materials and Requirements

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page.

4) Invitation Letter – One of the following documents is required:

a) Invitation Letter of Authorized Chinese Unit, or

b) Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an Authorized Chinese Unit, or

c) Invitation Letter issued by the Chinese companies, corporations and institutions other than above-mentioned Authorized Chinese Unit.

5) Applicant who intends to study in China for no more than six months – Provide Admission Notice (original and copy), Visa Application for Study in China Form JW-201/JW-202 (original and copy) which indicates the period of study being no more than six months.

6) First Time Chinese Visa Applicant – You must submit information about your finances and employment or studies, which you should consider providing bank certificate of deposit balance including the past 6 months history of your bank account and the receipt for payment of this certificate, BIR-stamped income tax return form, letter from your employer detailing your salary and the length of your employment, business registration certificate if you are the owner, professional ID, etc. If you have the Invitation Letter of Authorized Chinese Unit, or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an Authorized Chinese Unit, you do not need to submit the above-mentioned certificates.

7) Original Chinese Passport – First-time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, or who was born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), need to submit the original Chinese passport and a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page, and extension page (if applicable). You do not need to submit income tax return form and bank statement.

8) Previous Chinese Visa – Foreign Chinese who were born in China and had obtained a Chinese visa before, when applying for visa with a new passport, should submit a photocopy of the original passport's information/photo page and the page containing the previous Chinese visa.

9) Certificate of Name Change – If the name in the new passport is different from that in the original one, the official document (birth certificate/marriage contract) issued by authorities for name change must be submitted.

10) Non-Philippines Nationals – You must submit valid proof of residency, employment or study in the Philippines. Temporary visitors should apply for Chinese visas in their own countries, for special cases and if the applicant can provide valid proof of ID and employment, the visa officer will make the final decision on a case-by-case basis. A Supplementary Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of Chinais also needed.

2. How to Apply

An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.

Mailed and faxed applications/documents will not be accepted.

You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

3. Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Number of Entries	Single	Double	6 months-multiple	12 months-Multiple
Philippines Passport	1400	2100	2800	4200
U.S.A Passport	6500	6500	6500	6500
Other Passports	1700	2550	3400	5100

Regular processing time is 4 working days.

Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted now.

Student Visa (X-visa)

Student Visa (X-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for the purpose of study, advanced study or intern practice for a period of six months or more. A foreign citizen who is to study in China for less than six months should apply for a Business visa (F-visa).

1. Application Materials and Requirements

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page.

2) Visa Application Form – You must submit truthfully completed and signed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China and Supplementary Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China . Do not leave any field blank. Write N/A if the question does not apply to you.

4) Original and copy of Admission Notice and Visa Application Form for Study in China JW-201 or Form JW-202.

5) Physical Examination Record for Foreigner – Please ask the doctor to complete and sign it. For accredited medical clinics/hospitals, please see the attached list at the bottom the web page.

* Holders of student visa should apply for residence permit at local public security authorities within 30 days after entry into China.

2. How to Apply

An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.

Mailed and faxed applications/documents will not be accepted.

You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

3. Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Philippines Passport	1400
U.S.A Passport	6500
Other Passports	1700

Regular processing time is 4 working days.

Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted now.

Work Visa (Z-visa)

Work Visa (Z-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who is to take up a post or employment in China and his or her accompanying family members, or to give commercial performances, implement aid or cooperative projects in China.

1. Application Materials and Requirements

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page.

2) Visa Application Form – You must submit truthfully completed and signed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China and Supplementary Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China. Do not leave any field blank. Write N/A if the question does not apply to you.

4) Employment Approval Documents:

(A) Foreigners who come to China to take up employment as experts, scholars, teachers, managerial personnel and as personnel working in related state or local organizations should provide:Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts (original copy) and Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized unit in China (original copy);

(B) Foreign technical personnel who come to China for Offshore petroleum operations should provide Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (original copy);

(C) Chief representative or representative of foreign offices resident in China should provide: The registration certificate of resident representative office of foreign (regional) enterprise issued by related administrative department of industry and commerce, or the approval document for the resident representative office of foreign enterprise issued by related commercial departments, and An Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized unit in China (original copy).

(D) Personnel who come to China to implement aid or cooperative projects should provide: Bilateral or multilateral agreement between the Chinese government and foreign government or international organization, for cooperation and exchange; and Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized unit in China (original copy).

(E) Personnel who come to China for commercial performance should provide: Approval document (also copy) issued by the Ministry of Culture or the Cultural Department of related province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government,and original copy of Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by the Ministry of Culture or the foreign affairs office of related province, autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government.

(F) Personnel other than those mentioned above should provide: Employment Permit for Foreigners issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security,and Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized unit in China (original copy).

(G) Accompanying family dependents of personnel working in China should provide an original copy of Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by the authorized Chinese unit,or proof of kinship, e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc., and a copy of the Z-visa as well as Residence Permit of the person working in China.

5) Physical Examination Record for Foreigner – Please ask the doctor to complete and sign it. For accredited medical clinics/hospitals, please read the attached list at the bottom of the web page.

* Holders of Work Visa should apply for residence permit at local public security authorities within 30 days after entry into China.

2. How to Apply

An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.

Mailed and faxed applications/documents will not be accepted.

You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

3. Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Philippines Passport	1400
U.S.A Passport	6500
Other Passports	1700

Regular processing time is 4 working days.

Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted now.

Transit Visa (G-visa)

Transit Visa (G-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who is to transit through China on his or her way to a third country (or region).

1. Application Materials and Requirements

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page.

4) A valid visa to and an onward air ticket on international flight to the destination country or region. Crew members who come to China to board should provide an original copy of Invitation Letter and Crew ID.

5) Original Chinese Passport – First-time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, or who was born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), need to submit the original Chinese passport and a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page, and extension page (if applicable). You do not need to submit income tax return form and bank statement.

6) Previous Chinese Visa – Foreign Chinese who were born in China and had obtained a Chinese visa before, when applying for visa with a new passport, should submit a photocopy of the original passport's information/photo page and the page containing the previous Chinese visa.

7) Certificate of Name Change – If the name in the new passport is different from that in the original one, the official document (birth certificate/marriage contract) issued by authorities for name change must be submitted.

8) Non-Philippines Nationals – You must submit valid proof of residency, employment or study in the Philippines. Temporary visitors should apply for Chinese visas in their own countries. For special cases and if the applicant can provide valid proof of ID and employment, the visa officer will make the final decision on a case-by-case basis. A Supplementary Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China is also needed.

2. How to Apply

An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.

Mailed and faxed applications/documents will not be accepted.

You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

3. Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Number of Entries	Single	Double
Philippines Passport	1400	2100
U.S.A Passport	6500	6500
Other Passports	1700	2550

Regular processing time is 4 working days.

Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted now.

Crew Visa (C-visa)

Crew Visa(C-visa) is issued to crew member performing his/her duties on board an international train, or on an international airliner, to a sailor on board an international ocean-liner or freighter.

1. Application Materials and Requirements

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page.

4) Supporting Documents – Please provide supporting documents in accordance with the agreement between China and relevant countries, such as official letters from the airlines.

*C-Visa is exclusively for the purpose of performing the duty as a crew member. He/she who enters China for purposes other than performing such duty as a crew member or intends to continue to stay in China for personal reasons after completion of duty as a crew member should apply for another category of visa accordingly. A C-Visa holder must enter or exit China onboard the aircraft /train /ship he or she works for; otherwise, please apply for another category of visa accordingly.

2. How to Apply

An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.

Mailed and faxed applications/documents will not be accepted.

You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

3. Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Number of Entries	Single	Double
Philippines Passport	1400	2100
U.S.A Passport	6500	6500
Other Passports	1700	2550

Regular processing time is 4 working days.

Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted now.

Journalist Visa(J-visa)

Journalist Visa(J-visa)is issued to foreign journalists. There are two categories: J-I visa and J-2 visa. J-1 visa is issued to resident foreign journalists in China and their accompanying spouses and under-age children; J-2 visa is issued to foreign journalists who visit China for temporary news coverage.

1. Application Materials and Requirements

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page.

4) J-1 visa applicant (resident journalist) – Provide a visa notification issued by the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and an official letter from the applicant's employer. The applicant can contact the Information Section of the Chinese Embassy in advance for relevant procedures. A Supplementary Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of Chinais also needed.

5) J-2 visa applicant (journalist visiting China for temporary news coverage) – Provide a visa notification issued by the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry or other competent Chinese authorities and an official letter from the applicant's employer. The applicant can contact the Information Section of the Chinese Embassy in advance for relevant procedures.

2. How to Apply

An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.

Mailed and faxed applications/documents will not be accepted.

You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

3. Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Number of Entries	Single	Double
Philippines Passport	1400	2100
U.S.A Passport	6500	6500
Other Passports	1700	2550

Regular processing time is 4 working days.

Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted now.

Permanent Residence Visa(D-visa)

Permanent Residence Visa(D-visa)is issued to a foreign citizen who has been approved by China's public security authority to reside in China permanently.

Please provide Confirmation Form of Alien Permanent Residence Status in China. The applicant and his/her relatives may apply for the form at the public security organ in the place where you intend to reside.

Other Important Information

1) The visa application form must be filled out truly, clearly and completely. It should be signed by the applicant upon completion. Application of minors should be signed by their parents or legal guardians.

2) The application materials should be authentic and complete. Forged and incomplete applications will be denied.

3) The applicant should answer questions from the visa officers truthfully. According to China's relevant laws and regulations and international practice, visa officers have the right to require the applicant to submit additional supporting documents, and to refuse application without specifying any reason.

4) The applicant is also responsible to check the visa after obtaining it. Should there be any discrepancy, please contact the officer immediately.

5) The applicant should be held responsible for the following circumstances:

a. Denial of visa due to incomplete visa application form or false information.

b. Denial of visa due to unqualified/damaged photos and passports, or failure to provide additional supporting documents requested by visa officer.

c. Denial of boarding or entry due to visa expiration or failure to provide a valid visa.

d. Other personal reasons.