China

Business Visa Requirements

• Original, signed U. S. Passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond stay in China, with adequate unused visa pages to allow for entry and exit stamps upon arrival and departure from China.  Note* Amendment pages in the back of your passport are NOT to be used for entry and exit stamps or visa issuance.
• Visa Application Form. Please download, print, complete and sign the Visa application.  Application must be printed on separate sheets of paper, NO 2 sided printing will be accepted.
• 1 Recent Passport-type photograph (2″ x 2″) in color, front view with white background.
• Business invitation (soft copy). A business invitation letter from the sponsoring company in China. The letter should be printed on company letterhead stationery, addressed to the “Embassy of China, Visa Section”, and signed by a senior manager and stamped with the company seal. The business letter must include the following information:
  • Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);
  • Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures);
  • Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual);
  • The letter should be printed on the inviting organizations letterhead stationery, addressed to “Embassy of China, Visa Section”, signed and stamped with the institution/company seal
• Business Letter. A business letter from the sending company in the US. The letter should be printed on the company letterhead stationery, addressed to “The Consulate of China, Visa Section”, and signed by a senior manager, Vice-President or above. The business letter must adhere to the following guidelines:
  • Briefly introduce the applicant and specify employment status/position held in the company by applicant.
  • State the nature of the business to be conducted (ie. business meetings, contract negotiations, etc.) and the names and addresses of companies to be contacted in China.
  • Specify the Type and desired Validity of the visa (ie. a one year multiple entry business visa).
  • Guarantee of sufficient funds for travel.
  • Sample Company Letter of Guarantee
• Driver’s License. Copy of the applicant’s Driver’s License or a copy of the utility bill (e.g. electric, water, gas, sewage) bearing the applicant’s name and current address.
• Where You Stay Form (hard copy). The form is attached at the bottom of the page. Please download and complete this form.
• Previous Visas. If the applicant has previously obtained a China visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.

Crew Visa Requirements

• Original, signed U. S. Passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond stay in China, with adequate unused visa pages to allow for entry and exit stamps upon arrival and departure from China.  Note* Amendment pages in the back of your passport are NOT to be used for entry and exit stamps or visa issuance.
• Visa Application Form. Please download, print, complete and sign the Visa application.  Application must be printed on separate sheets of paper, NO 2 sided printing will be accepted.
• 2 Recent Passport-type photograph (2″ x 2″) in color, front view with white background.
• Crew Letter.  Business letter of Invitation issued by a relevant company in China.
• Crew ID.  Copy of the company crew ID.
• Driver’s License. Copy of the applicant’s Driver’s License or a copy of the utility bill (e.g. electric, water, gas, sewage) bearing the applicant’s name and current address.
• Where You Stay Form (hard copy). The form is attached at the bottom of the page. Please download and complete this form
• Previous Visas. If the applicant has previously obtained a China visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.

Student Visa Requirements

• Original, signed U. S. Passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond stay in China, with adequate unused visa pages to allow for entry and exit stamps upon arrival and departure from China.  Note* Amendment pages in the back of your passport are NOT to be used for entry and exit stamps or visa issuance.
• Visa Application Form. Please download, print, complete and sign the Visa application.  Application must be printed on separate sheets of paper, NO 2 sided printing will be accepted.
• 2 Recent Passport-type photograph (2″ x 2″) in color, front view with white background.
• Driver’s License.  Copy of the applicant’s Driver’s License or a copy of the utility bill (e.g. electric, water, gas, sewage) bearing the applicant’s name and current address.
• JW201 or JW202 Form.  A signed original and a photocopy of the approved Foreign Student Visa Application Form issued by the school in China.  Forms must be signed by both student and the school.
• School Enrollment Letter.  Original School Enrollment letter from China signed by both the applicant and the school.
• Physical Examination Form.  For applicants studying in China for more than 6 months must submit a Physical Examination Form for Foreigners filled out and signed by a physician in the US.  Form….
• Where You Stay Form (hard copy). The form is attached at the bottom of the page. Please download and complete this form.
• Previous Visas. If the applicant has previously obtained a China visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.

Note:  Visa type varies from the length of stay/study in China.

X1 visa valid for 90 days are issued for applicants studying in China for more than 6 months.  Once the applicant is in school, the applicant should apply for a residence permit.

X2 visa valid for 180 days are issued for applicants studying in China for less than 6 months.

Work Visa Requirements

• Original, signed U. S. Passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond stay in China, with adequate unused visa pages to allow for entry and exit stamps upon arrival and departure from China.  Note* Amendment pages in the back of your passport are NOT to be used for entry and exit stamps or visa issuance.
• Visa Application Form. Please download, print, complete and sign the Visa application.  Application must be printed on separate sheets of paper, NO 2 sided printing will be accepted.
• 2 Recent Passport-type photograph (2″ x 2″) in color, front view with white background.
• Driver’s License. Copy of the applicant’s Driver’s License or a copy of the utility bill (e.g. electric, water, gas, sewage) bearing the applicant’s name and current address.
• Visa Notification Letter.  Original invitation letter from the sponsoring company in China and must be obtained from the proper Government agency in China.
• Foreign Expert Permit.  Original permit issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts and an invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.
• Where You Stay Form (hard copy). The form is attached at the bottom of the page. Please download and complete this form.
• Previous Visas. If the applicant has previously obtained a China visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.

Non Business Visit Requirements

• Original, signed U. S. Passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond stay in China, with adequate unused visa pages to allow for entry and exit stamps upon arrival and departure from China.  Note* Amendment pages in the back of your passport are NOT to be used for entry and exit stamps or visa issuance.
• Visa Application Form. Please download, print, complete and sign the Visa application.  Application must be printed on separate sheets of paper, NO 2 sided printing will be accepted.
• 2 Recent Passport-type photograph (2″ x 2″) in color, front view with white background.
• Personal Letter. A personal letter from the applicant addressed to the Embassy of China, explaining the purpose of the trip, dates of travel, cities to be visited, and place of accommodation.
• Driver’s License. Copy of the applicant’s Driver’s License or a copy of the utility bill (e.g. electric, water, gas, sewage) bearing the applicant’s name and current address.
• Letter of Invitation. A business letter from the sending company in China or Individual. The letter should be printed on the company letterhead stationery, addressed to “The Consulate of China, Visa Section”, and signed by a senior manager, Vice-President or above. The business letter must adhere to the following guidelines:
  • Briefly introduce the applicant and specify employment status/position held in the company by applicant.
  • State the nature of the business to be conducted (ie. business meetings, contract negotiations, etc.) and the names and addresses of companies to be contacted in China.
  • Specify the Type and desired Validity of the visa (ie. a one year multiple entry business visa).
  • Guarantee of sufficient funds for travel.
  • The letter should have an official seal/stamp from the company.
• Where You Stay Form (hard copy). The form is attached at the bottom of the page. Please download and complete this form.
• Itinerary. Copy of round trip tickets or confirmed itinerary.
• Previous Visas. If the applicant has previously obtained a China visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.

Official Visa Requirements

• Original, signed U. S. Passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond stay in China, with adequate unused visa pages to allow for entry and exit stamps upon arrival and departure from China.  Note* Amendment pages in the back of your passport are NOT to be used for entry and exit stamps or visa issuance.
• Visa Application Form. Please download, print, complete and sign the Visa application.  Application must be printed on separate sheets of paper, NO 2 sided printing will be accepted.
• 2 Recent Passport-type photograph (2″ x 2″) in color, front view with white background.
• Business Letter of Invitation. A business letter from the sending company in China. The letter should be printed on the company letterhead stationery, addressed to “The Consulate of China, Visa Section”, and signed by a senior manager, Vice-President or above. The business letter must adhere to the following guidelines:
  • Briefly introduce the applicant and specify employment status/position held in the company by applicant.
  • State the nature of the business to be conducted (ie. business meetings, contract negotiations, etc.) and the names and addresses of companies to be contacted in China.
  • Specify the Type and desired Validity of the visa (ie. a one year multiple entry business visa).
  • Guarantee of sufficient funds for travel.
  • The letter should have an official seal/stamp from the company.
• State Department Letter.  A letter from the Department of State addressed to the Embassy of The People’s Republic of China, Washington DC, explaining the nature and dates of travel.  The letter also should indicate the name and passport number of the applicant.
• Itinerary. Copy of round trip tickets or confirmed itinerary.
• Previous Visas. If the applicant has previously obtained a China visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.