China Visa update news!

To further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States, starting from January 1, 2024, Chinese embassies and consulates in the United States will reduce the materials of L-type (tourist) visa application: people traveling to China in the United States can apply for visas to China without providing round-trip air tickets, hotel orders, itineraries or invitations. Depending on the case, please refer to the requirements of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the United States.

China's visa waiver policy for Switzerland and other six countries

In order to further promote personnel exchanges with other countries, China has decided to expand the scope of visa-free countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, and offer visa-free access to ordinary passport holders on a trial basis. During the period from March 14 to November 30, 2024, holders of ordinary passports from the above countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for no more than 15 days. Those who do not meet the visa exemption requirements from the above countries still need to obtain a visa to China before entering the country.

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中国签证指南- China visa guide

领地归属，领馆划分，中国签证服务中心介绍

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签证种类- Visa Categories

Visa Categories

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Major Purpose of Visit Visa Categories Description of Visa

Exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities F Issued to those who are invited to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.

Commerce & Trade M Issued to those who are invited to China for commercial and trade activities.

As a tourist L Issued to those who are going to travel to China for tourism.

Family reunion, foster care or visiting relatives with permanent residence in China 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 a long-term family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purposes of foster care (intended duration of stay in China exceeding 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 relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China; the intended duration of stay is limited to no more than 180 days.

Visiting relatives working or studying in China or other private affairs S1 Issued to relatives of foreigners working or studying in China for the purpose of long-term visit, or to those who intend to visit China for other private reasons (intended duration of stay exceeding 180 days).

“Relatives” refer to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 years and parents-in-law.

S2 Issued to those wishing to visit family members that are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private reasons. The intended duration of stay in China is limited to 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.

Employment Z Issued to those taking up a post or employment, or giving commercial performances, in China.

Commercial performances

Transit G Issued to those who are going to transit through China en route to a third country (or region).

As a crew member or a motor vehicle driver C Issued to foreign crew members of aircraft, trains and ships, motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, and also to the accompanying family members of the above-mentioned ships’ crew members.

As a student X1 Issued to those intending to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.

X2 Issued to those intending to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.

As an introduced talent R Issued to those who are high-level qualified talents or whose skills are urgently needed by China.

As a journalist J1 Issued to resident foreign journalists/media staff of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.

J2 Issued to foreign journalists/media staff on temporary news coverage missions. The intended duration of stay in China is limited to no more than 180 days.

Permanent Residence D Issued to those who are going to reside in China permanently.

Major Purpose of Visit	Visa Categories	Description of Visa
Exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities	F	Issued to those who are invited to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.
Commerce & Trade	M	Issued to those who are invited to China for commercial and trade activities.
As a tourist	L	Issued to those who are going to travel to China for tourism.
Family reunion, foster care or visiting relatives with permanent residence in China	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 a long-term family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purposes of foster care (intended duration of stay in China exceeding 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 relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China; the intended duration of stay is limited to no more than 180 days.
Visiting relatives working or studying in China or other private affairs	S1	Issued to relatives of foreigners working or studying in China for the purpose of long-term visit, or to those who intend to visit China for other private reasons (intended duration of stay exceeding 180 days).
“Relatives” refer to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 years and parents-in-law.
S2	Issued to those wishing to visit family members that are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private reasons. The intended duration of stay in China is limited to 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.
Employment	Z	Issued to those taking up a post or employment, or giving commercial performances, in China.
Commercial performances
Transit	G	Issued to those who are going to transit through China en route to a third country (or region).
As a crew member or a motor vehicle driver	C	Issued to foreign crew members of aircraft, trains and ships, motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, and also to the accompanying family members of the above-mentioned ships’ crew members.
As a student	X1	Issued to those intending to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.
X2	Issued to those intending to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.
As an introduced talent	R	Issued to those who are high-level qualified talents or whose skills are urgently needed by China.
As a journalist	J1	Issued to resident foreign journalists/media staff of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
J2	Issued to foreign journalists/media staff on temporary news coverage missions. The intended duration of stay in China is limited to no more than 180 days.
Permanent Residence	D	Issued to those who are going to reside in China permanently.