No visa is required for residents of Singapore, Brunei and Japan for visits of up to 15 days. Activities are limited to sightseeing, business, visiting friends or relatives, or transit.
No visa is required for visitors who hold air tickets to outbound flights from China and who are staying in China for no more than 24 hours.
No visa is required for visitors who enter through the Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai and hold valid visas for onward countries, final destination tickets with booked seats and passports from the following countries: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Republic of Korea, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Note that visitors who fall under this category must depart Shanghai within 48 hours.
The tourist visa, or L visa, is issued to aliens who seek entry into China for sightseeing or personal affairs purposes. Visitors may opt for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, which may be valid for up to 12 months, provided they pay the appropriate fee. Visas are valid either 90 or 180 days from the date of issue and allow stays of up to 30 days per entry. For stays longer than 30 days, ask for the visa officer's approval.
The business visa, or F visa, is issued to aliens who are invited to China for business, cultural, professional or educational affairs for no longer than 6 months. Visitors may apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, which may be valid for up to 24 months, provided they pay the appropriate fee. Typically, the visa permits stays of up to 30 days. For stays longer than 30 days, ask for the visa officer's approval.
To apply for the business visa, submit the visa application form available on the Chinese Consulate website, a 2-by-2 inch photo and either a "Visa Notifications Form from an authorized Chinese Unit" or an invitation letter from the host organization.
The student visa, or X visa, is issued to visitors who intend to study in China for longer than 6 months. Aliens who wish to undertake advanced studies or internships in China for a period of less than 6 months should apply for the business visa (F visa). Aliens wishing to obtain the student visa must submit the Visa Application form along with a passport photo, the original and a photocopy of the approved Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW201 or JW202) issued by an authorized Chinese government unit and the admissions letter from the Chinese school.
The working visa, or Z visa, is issued to aliens who seek entry, along with their family members, into China for employment purposes. Along with the visa application form and passport photo, aliens should provide the visa notification issued by an authorized Chinese unit or proof of kinship (i.e., marriage certificate or birth certificate) and either the original and a photocopy of the Work Permit for Aliens issued by the Chinese Labor Ministry or the original copy of the Foreign Expert's License issued by the Chinese Foreign Expert Bureau.
The resident visa, or D visa, is issued to aliens who seek permanent residence in China. Aliens must submit the visa application form, passport photo and the Residence Approval Certificate issued by the Chinese public security bureau. According to the consulate website, the applicant may entrust his relatives within China to apply for the Residence Approval Certificate.
The crew visa (C visa) is issued to staff members of international trains, boats or airlines. A formal application letter issued by the airline or shipping company must be submitted along with the visa application.
A transit visa (G visa) is issued to aliens who wish to enter China for transit purposes. Aliens must show a valid visa for the country of destination and a final destination ticket.
A journalist visa (J-1 visa) is issued to foreign resident correspondents and their relatives. Approval from the Chinese news authorities must be obtained prior to submitting the visa application. The visa is valid for one entry for a stay of up to 3 months.
