Please select the corresponding visa type based on your main purpose of going to China and click to view the list of materials.

Main purpose of visiting China Type of visa Types of Visa Description
(L)Tourism L (L)Tourism;(L) Independent tourist;
(F)Exchange,visits,study tours or other relevant activities F (F)Academic exchanges;(F)Cultural exchanges (e.g. a non-profit performance);(F)Religious exchanges;(F)NGO activities;(F)Volunteering (90 days or less);(F)Foreign expert with pre-approved letters of invitation;(F)Geographic surveying and mapping activities
(M)Commercial trade M (M) Trade;(M)Participation in Competition(s);(M) Other commercial activities;
(Q1) Family member or relative of Chinese citizen(s) or foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China (more than 180 days) Q1 (Q1) Family member of Chinese citizen applying for residence in China for family reunion,(Q1)Family member of foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China who is applying for residence in China for a family reunion,(Q1)Residence visa for child to be fostered in China
(Q2) Family member or relative of Chinese citizen(s) or foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China (no more than 180 days) Q2 (Q2)Relative of Chinese citizen(s) living in China applying for a visa for visit less than 180 days,(Q2)Relative of foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China applying for a visa for visit less than 180 days
(S1) Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters (more than 180 days) S1 (S1)Spouse, parent, child under the age of 18 or parent-in-law of foreigner(s) residing in China for work, study or other purposes who visit China for 180 days or more,(S1)Person who needs to reside in China for other personal matters
(S2) Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters (no more than 180 days) S2 (S2)Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes who visit China for less than 180 days,(S2)Applying for a visa to stay in China for other personal matters, such as handling litigation, inheritance, real estate or medical treatment
(Z)Work Z (Z)Foreign expert working in China,(Z)For commercial performance,(Z)Chief representative or representative of a foreign company,(Z)Offshore oil operations,(Z)Volunteering (more than 90 days),(Z) Foreigner working in China with a Work Permit issued by the Chinese government
(X1) Long term study (more than 180 days) X1 (X1)Long term study (more than 180 days)
(X2) Short term study (no more than 180 days) X2 (X2)Short term study (no more than 180 days)
(J1) Resident foreign journalist of permanent office of a foreign news agency in China J1 (J1)Resident foreign journalist of permanent office of a foreign news agency in China
(J2) Foreign journalist visiting China for short-term news coverage J2 (J2)Foreign journalist visiting China for short-term news coverage
(C)Crew member C (C)Crew member performing duties on board an international train,(C)Crew member performing duties on board an international aircraft,(C)Crew member performing duties on board an international vessel or accompanying family member,(C) Vehicle driver engaged in international transportation services;
(G)Transit G (G)Transit through China
(D)Permanent residence D (D)Person coming to China to take up permanent residence
(R)Foreigner of high talent or specialist R (R) Foreigner of high talent or specialist needed by the State
View Material List