China Visa Guide（Complete Category Guide）
1. Overview
Except where visa exemption or transit-without-visa applies under bilateral agreements, foreign nationals generally need a visa to enter China. Under the Exit and Entry Administration Law and the Regulations on the Administration of Entry and Exit of Foreign Nationals, visas are divided by purpose of entry into diplomatic, courtesy, service and ordinary visas. For most visitors, the ordinary visa applies and is marked with a corresponding letter — 13 categories in total (the K visa was added in 2025).
2. Ordinary Visa Categories at a Glance
Categories, eligible persons and application documents below are organized from Articles 6 and 7 of the Regulations.
| Visa | Eligible persons | Key application documents (Art. 7) |
|---|---|---|
| L | Tourists (group L available) | Travel itinerary; groups also need an invitation from the travel agency |
| M | Commercial / trade activities | Invitation letter from a Chinese business partner |
| F | Exchange, visit, study tour, etc. | Invitation letter from the inviting party in China |
| Z | Working in China | Work permit and related proof |
| X1 / X2 | Long-term / short-term study | Admission notice (X1 also needs competent authority proof) |
| Q1 / Q2 | Family reunion residence / short visit (relatives of Chinese citizens or PR holders) | Invitation letter, family relationship proof, etc. |
| S1 / S2 | Long / short-term visit & private affairs (relatives of workers/students in China) | Invitation letter, family proof or private-affair proof |
| D | Persons entering for permanent residence | Confirmation Form of Foreign Permanent Resident Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security |
| G | Transit through China | Onward ticket with confirmed date and seat |
| C | Crew of international trains/aircraft/ships and drivers | Guarantee letter or invitation from relevant entity |
| J1 / J2 | Resident / short-term foreign journalists | Approval per foreign correspondent regulations |
| R | High-level and urgently needed professionals | Proof meeting introduction criteria |
| K | Foreign young science & technology talent (added 2025) | Proof meeting the criteria |
3. Commonly Used Categories
Tourism (L)
For tourism purposes; group L may be issued for group travel. Submit travel plan and itinerary.
Business (M) and Visit (F)
M for commercial/trade activities, F for exchange/visit/study tours; both usually require an invitation letter from a party in China.
Work (Z)
For working in China. After entry, apply for a work-type residence permit within the time limit; a work permit is required for the Z visa.
Study (X1 / X2)
X1 for long-term study, X2 for short-term. Admission notice required. Off-campus work/ internship on a study residence permit must be annotated.
Family Visit & Reunion (Q / S)
Q for relatives of Chinese citizens or PR holders (Q1 residence, Q2 short); S for relatives of workers/students and private affairs (S1 long, S2 short).
4. Visa-Free and Transit
240-Hour Transit Without Visa
Per the National Immigration Administration, eligible nationals of 54 countries transiting China to a third country/region may enter visa-free via any of 60 open ports across 24 provinces and stay within designated areas for up to 240 hours (10 days). Tourism, business, visit and family short-visit are allowed; work, study and journalism still require a visa in advance.
24-Hour Direct Transit
Passengers with connecting tickets transiting within 24 hours without leaving the port may skip the visa; those needing to leave the port must apply for a temporary entry permit.
Mutual Visa Exemption
China has mutual visa-exemption agreements with some countries, or unilateral visa-free policies; check the latest official publication.
5. General Application Process
- Determine the purpose and corresponding visa category;
- Prepare passport, photo and purpose-specific documents (see table);
- Submit to the Chinese visa authority abroad (embassy/consulate or visa application center);
- Some cases require an interview (e.g., residence application, or where identity/purpose needs verification);
- The authority issues the visa if requirements are met.
6. Stay, Residence and Extension After Entry
Visa extension, re-issuance and stay permits may be applied for at the local exit-entry administration before expiry. An extension applies only to the current entry and the cumulative extension shall not exceed the original stay. Residence permits must be obtained within the time limit noted on the visa.
The NIA online platform provides appointment, progress inquiry and office-locator services for foreign nationals.
7. Port Visa Convenience
Those who urgently need to come for commerce, exchange, investment, family visit or private affairs but had no time to obtain a visa abroad may apply for a port visa with an invitation letter and proof. In-China foreigners with valid reasons to extend stay may apply locally.
8. Special Note on Permanent Residence ("China Green Card")
This guide only restates the published regulations and makes no eligibility judgment, promise or interpretation. Permanent residence is a statutory administrative license with strict, high thresholds, subject to the latest rules of the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration. The D visa is "issued to persons entering for permanent residence" and requires the Confirmation Form issued by the Ministry of Public Security. Any claim of "guaranteed approval" is unreliable — use official channels only.
《中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例》（2013年国务院令第637号公布，根据2025年8月7日修订）第六条、第七条（节选）：
第六条 普通签证分为以下类别，并在签证上标明相应的汉语拼音字母：
（一）C字签证，发给执行乘务、航空、航运任务的国际列车乘务员、国际航空器机组人员、国际航行船舶的船员及船员随行家属和从事国际道路运输的汽车驾驶员。
（二）D字签证，发给入境永久居留的人员。
（三）F字签证，发给入境从事交流、访问、考察等活动的人员。
（四）G字签证，发给经中国过境的人员。
（五）J1字签证，发给外国常驻中国新闻机构的外国常驻记者；J2字签证，发给入境进行短期采访报道的外国记者。
（六）K字签证，发给入境的外国青年科技人才。
（七）L字签证，发给入境旅游的人员；以团体形式入境旅游的，可以签发团体L字签证。
（八）M字签证，发给入境进行商业贸易活动的人员。
（九）Q1字签证，发给因家庭团聚申请入境居留的中国公民的家庭成员和具有中国永久居留资格的外国人的家庭成员，以及因寄养等原因申请入境居留的人员；Q2字签证，发给申请入境短期探亲的居住在中国境内的中国公民的亲属和具有中国永久居留资格的外国人的亲属。
（十）R字签证，发给国家需要的外国高层次人才和急需紧缺专门人才。
（十一）S1字签证，发给申请入境长期探亲的因工作、学习等事由在中国境内居留的外国人的配偶、父母、未满18周岁的子女、配偶的父母，以及因其他私人事务需要在中国境内居留的人员；S2字签证，发给申请入境短期探亲的因工作、学习等事由在中国境内停留居留的外国人的家庭成员，以及因其他私人事务需要在中国境内停留的人员。
（十二）X1字签证，发给申请在中国境内长期学习的人员；X2字签证，发给申请在中国境内短期学习的人员。
（十三）Z字签证，发给申请在中国境内工作的人员。
第七条 外国人申请办理签证，应当填写申请表，提交本人的护照或者其他国际旅行证件以及符合规定的照片和申请事由的相关材料……签证机关可以根据具体情况要求外国人提交其他申请材料。
https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741547/c1014161/content.html
All guides on this platform are based solely on official public information from the relevant Chinese authorities. We only organize and plainly restate it; we do not interpret, promise, or offer any agency service. Visa, residence and permanent-residence policies follow the latest official publications. Content about immigration / PR quotes official texts verbatim without exaggeration. We do not provide any unlawful or shortcut options. Report discrepancies via the footer "Contact / Report".
This guide was manually verified on 2026-10-29 (12 days ago). Based on official publications; always refer to the latest official source.
Official source: https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741547/c1014161/content.html
In-depth Packs
Complete checklists and document templates, pay-to-download if you want them.
PDF checklists and invitation-letter templates for L/M/F/Z/X/Q/S categories. Voluntary paid download.