The L Visa is a tourist visa. It is a single-entry visa and allows visitors to stay in China for up to 30 days. This visa covers family visits and touring in China but does not allow travel to Tibet. To travel to Tibet, foreigners must get official approval from the China Tibet Tourism Bureau by emailing a request to [email protected]. If you want to enter China as a business visitor or lecturer, you must apply for an F Visa. Depending on your business, you can apply for a single- or double-entry F Visa that will allow you to stay in China for 30 days. If you will pass through China during travel but have no plans to visit or tour the country, you can apply for a G Visa, which is a simple, transit visa.
Z, C and J visas all cover various types of work visas. The Z Visa is the standard work visa. After you have secured a position with a Chinese company, you can apply for a Z Visa for you and your family, based on the specifics of the job and the time needed to stay in the country for that specific job. If you are a crew member for an international airline or land transportation company, you need a C Visa to enter China, otherwise known as a Crew Member Visa. If your family travels with you during these trips to China, they also need C Visas. There are two types of J Visas issued to journalists. J-1 Visas are issued to journalists who are posted for at least one year in the country. J-2 Visas are issued to journalists who will just be in China for a temporary assignment or interview.
The X Visa is issued to students who will study or practice in China for at least six months. You cannot apply for an X Visa until you have been accepted into an accredited school, university or practice program.
The D Visa, known as the residence visa, is reserved for those who will live in China permanently. You can usually only apply for this visa if a family member or your spouse is a resident or citizen of China.
The Diplomatic and Service Visa is only issued to government officials of foreign countries or staff members of diplomatic missions and the United Nations travelling to China on official missions.
