1. Scope of Service

(1) Foreign nationals and accompanying family members who engage in diplomatic, official activities in China or meet the conditions of courtesy visa.

(2) Foreign nationals going to China for travel, medical treatment and other personal affairs;

(3) Foreign nationals going to China for business affairs of non-business affairs (including non-business visit, academic study and, charitable activities);

(4) Family members of Chinese citizens and foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permits for family reunion or visiting relatives.

(5) Foreign nationals going to China for long term (more than 180 days) / short term study;

(6) Foreign nationals (including accompanying spouse and children under the age of 18) who qualify for a high-level talent (R) visa.

(7) Other foreign nationals with express permission of the relevant Chinese authorities.

    2. Application Procedure

(1)Visa applicants are required to log on https://cova.mfa.gov.cn and fill in the visa application form online. After completing the form online, you may enter the visa appointment interface by clicking the button "Start to book appointment", or log on  https://avas.mfa.gov.cn, enter your contact information and Application ID to make an appointment.  Applicants are required to submit passports and other required documents to the Chinese Embassy with the printed and signed complete Online Visa Application Form as per scheduled appointment.

(2) The diplomatic and special passport holders as well as those who apply for diplomatic or official visas do not need to make an appointment. However, applicants are required to fill in and print the complete online application form pursuant to the above-mentioned requirements. Applicants may directly submit the applications to the Chinese Embassy.

3. Relevant Instructions

Please prepare the following basic materials before submitting your application:

- Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China

- Page of Confirmation of Online Visa Application

- Original passport valid for at least 6 months, with 2 or more blank visa pages, and the photocopy of relevant pages of the passport (profile, recent Chinese visas)

- Old passports used within 5 years and the photocopy of relevant pages of the passports

- Other necessary materials required by the Chinese Embassy 

(1) Foreign nationals going to China for tourism should apply for L visas by providing itinerary page, reservation page for round-trip tickets and hotel or invitation letter from Chinese institutions (for example travel agencies) or individuals.

(2) Foreign nationals going to China for business/non-business visits should apply for M/F visas by providing invitation letters issued by Chinese institutions. Applying for M visas requires registration and license documents of the Chinese inviting company. 

(4) Foreign nationals going to China for work should apply for Z visas by providing Work Permit for Foreigners in China.

(5) Family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permits going to China for family reunion or visiting relatives, should apply for S visas by providing proof of family relationship (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship etc.), copies of passport as well as residency card of inviting parties, invitation letters. If family members are applying for S visas the same time as the inviting parties applying for Z or X1 visas, special statements issued by Chinese institutions are required. 

(6) Family members of Chinese citizens going to China for family reunion or visiting relatives, should apply for Q visas by providing proof of family relationship (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship etc.), copies of passport and ID card of inviting parties, invitation letters. 

(7) Foreign nationals going to China for long term or short term study should apply for X1/X2 visas by providing original JW 201/202 Form, original acceptance letter and copies for each document.