The types of visas available to travelers to China are separated by the purpose for the visit. Visas are divided into categories for tourists, scientists and businessmen, migrant workers, students, airline employees, those in transit, potential immigrants and journalists.
The standard visa allows foreigners to stay in China for 30 days, however depending on the visa, foreign visitors can stay for up to a year after registering for a temporary foreign residence permit.
Location can also play a role in the visa process, with separate guidelines for Hong Kong and Macau.
Multiple entries into the country, including re-entry from Hong Kong or Macau, requires a multiple entry visa.
After these criteria are determined, a visa can be obtained after submitting a filled-out visa application, a valid passport and the appropriate filing fee in person at the nearest Chinese consulate or by a visa processing agency. Processing time for a visa usually takes a few business days.
