Get your China visa!
*Tourists can visit Beijing and Shanghai visa-free for 72 hours.*
*Information current as of 23 February, 2012*
Unless you're from Singapore, Brunei or Japan (and can therefore stay in the PRC visa-free for 15 days), you'll need to get a China visa for Mainland China whether you're just here for a short trip to see the F1 in Shanghai or looking to set up shop in Yiwu sourcing socks and garters. We've checked and condensed the information from our other China visa posts, re-scoured the 'net and checked in again with our visa gurus Magic at Visa in China in Shanghai and Yuri at Get in2 China in Beijing to get you the latest on what you need to know about visas in China. More after the jump....
Which visa do I need?
With the exception of Hainan and the Pearl River Delta, entries into China for most nationalities require a visa. All China visas require a passport valid for at least six months. Cost varies by home country and visa type. An additional Tibet travel permit is required for trips to the "roof of the world." But for most China travel, these will do:
F visa (business visa)
The F visa is meant for those spending six months or less in China to do things like lecturing, short term business, cultural or scientific exchanges or an internship. It is not, however, a work visa, although there are companies that have their foreign employees working long term on an illegal mix of F or L visas and Hong Kong trips. If you're looking to work in China for anything more than six months, this is not the visa for you.
L visa (tourist visa)
The L visa is only meant to cover a "short stay" in China and is generally valid for 30 to 90 days. These can be extended twice for 30 more days each time from within China; any other extension or visa transfer must be handled outside of the country. The availability of longer L visas is in constant flux. Depending on your nation of origin and the climate of the unseen forces at work behind immigration policy, 180 day L visas are sometimes available. Generally, these visas only allow you to stay in the country for 90 consecutive days at a time, requiring a trip across the border at least every three months.
X visa (student visa)
If you're studying or interning in China for six months or more, you'll need the X visa, which should be provided by your school or company.
Z visa (work visa)
If you're working in China, you legally should have a Z visa. The actual Z visa has a fairly short life span, as the Z visa in your passport should be quickly replaced by a residence permit and work permit when you arrive in the country and start your new job. When changing jobs, the residence permit is transferable.
Hey there laowai, where's your visa?
Know your visa
"Enter before"
Get to China before midnight of the day listed, or risk turning into a pumpkin. And by pumpkin we mean "person who can't enter the country."
"Entries"
While those on valid X and Z visas can more or less come and go as they please, those on F and L visas may be limited to one or two entries into the PRC. Make sure you know what your passport says before you take that holiday trip to Laos.
"Duration of stay"
Approval of extensions vary by local (above county level) authorities. Extensions of L visas can happen in a few days before the expiration date, but F and X visa extensions need two and a half weeks before the expiration date to process.
Changing/extending visas
All types of visas can be extended or changed, but differences exist.
The L visa can be extended twice, with 30 days on each extension. The extension can be added a few days before the visa's expiry date. According to Yuri, L visas can be changed into an F, X or Z visa in Beijing without leaving the city.
In most other cases, changing between types of visas requires leaving Mainland China, which usually means a flight to Hong Kong and a trip to the Chinese consulate. From there, CITS or another China visa service can help if you haven't already arranged your next visa. Taking a flight to Shenzhen and then crossing the land border to Hong Kong (a bus goes straight from the airport into Central) can be a cheaper route. If you only need an exit stamp, take a ferry from Xiamen to Jinmen Island, which is under the jurisdiction of Taiwan.
When switching to a Z visa, most foreigners can do this from Hong Kong, but some have to return to their home country. From stories on travel forums, it appears to be largely African, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian nationals that may need to return to their home country. If you're unsure, e-mail or call your embassy in Beijing or Hong Kong (try a quick Google search for your home country and "China embassy" or "Hong Kong embassy").
If you're changing jobs in China (and moving from a Z visa to a Z visa), you shouldn't need to leave the country so long as you can a get a release letter from the company that you're leaving. If there's bad blood between you and your former employer that results in an inability to secure the release letter, then you may need to make time for a trip to Hong Kong or a holiday back home. Usually, though, changing your job but keeping your China visa isn't a problem.
When the rules get tighter
During high profile events like the 2010 Shanghai Expo and 2008 Beijing Olympics, officials have gotten stricter about enforcing immigration policy and in some cases those rules have gotten stricter.
During the Expo, for example, there were stories of foreigners stopped by police who asked to see their passport and followed them back to their abode to retrieve it if they didn't have it. Technically, a foreigner is always supposed to have his or her passport on hand, but not many people want to risk losing it. Some foreigners have kept photocopies (photo page and visa page) of their passport on hand, but we've not heard of anyone stopped for a passport check in a while.
Visa help from the pros and helpful links
Thanks again to Magic and Yuri for their visa knowledge.
Magic Cheng
Meshing Consultancy Service
No. 485 Henan Bei Rd. YingLi building 4th floor 3B Shanghai, 200071, China
Tel: (86 21) 3301 1478 / 6307 5776
Mob: (86) 135 0182 8752
Website: www.visainchina.com
Email: magic@visainchina.com
Yuri
Get in2 China (Beijing)
Tel: (86 10) 6403 4923
Mob: (86) 150 1053 2542
Website: www.getin2china.com
Email: info@getin2china.com
Skype: Getin2China
MSN: Getin2China
Other helpful links
Registration and visa information from the Shanghai Police
Chinese visa fees by nationality from the Commissar's Office in Hong Kong
Visa information from the Chinese Embassy in the United States
China travel guide | China flights | China hotels | China tours & activities
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Hi James
Again thank you for your response. Yes that is what i got when i googled it before she went but she chose to ignore the comments!! I had a traumatic evening last night as the so calledteacher had allowed them to go out on their own and one of the boys got extremelhy drunk and glassed one of the girls on the head. The girls parent waz notified through me via my daughter, suffice to say that my daughter was extremely upset and wanted to come home. As we havening heard anything from them today i can only assume they have headed on,by the train , to Guilang and we will hear from them as soon as they get settled. It is very worrying as the parent concered has not heard directly from the teacher and togthether with the visa issue we wonder what will happen x
By Wendy August 30,2012 02:30 AM
Hi James, thought I owuld update you on what has been happening since i last posted. They had afraught time in Bejing whereby the teacher allowed them to go out drinking and one of the boys in the group smashed a glass on one of the girls heads, causinf 4 stitches and a lot of worry this end - to this point the teacher has contced the parent - we found out by my daughter who was sobbing hysterically and wanting to come home!!!! Arrival in Guiylang was by train, which apparantly had the girls shring a carriage with a random chinese man!!! Once there everything changed and they are a lot happier "it's amazing" and we have been able to face time them. They have visited the School and sorted out 'political sutff' which when asked was photocopying passports and signing a contract (tad worrying!!) and finding out what they will be doing in the school. They initially stayed in an hotel but are now staying with a host families until the apartments are ready. Not sure if they are being paid for any work - but they have said will come home at end of 3 months in novenber (whenn the ticked is booked for). Thanks again for all your help
Wendyx
By Wendy September 01,2012 10:07 PM
Hi Wendy,
Yes, that sounds like something. Getting a glass smashed on your head is no doubt a lousy way to begin a vacation (only 4 stitches? I'd say it must have been a very small glass, or she is a very lucky lass indeed). Glad to hear things seems to be working out, visa and work-wise.
By James Weir September 03,2012 03:40 PM
is there not a chance about working in china if i am a american who has an old criminal record in the u.s.a.
By dino September 10,2012 05:03 AM
Hi Magic/Yuri and anyone who contributed to write this article,
Thanks a lot! Very informative!
We are a Sri Lanka based Travel & Tourism Company, interested to start an office in China.
What is the VISA type I will have to get as the full time head of China operation in the company? (I will have to live in China for at least 12 months to establish the business).
Thanks in advance for any possible information you can provide!!!
By Sam October 11,2012 03:08 PM
I have a question. If you are traveling to China for business purposes, is it mandated that your company should process a business visa versus a tourist visa? Many other administrative assistants and travel agents have told me that an "L visa (tourist) and an F visa" (business) are the "same" and that China doesn't care which you process. I have always tended to do a business visa because if I'm sending a company/business person on business I feel that is "honest and correct". Is there anything negative that can happen if a tourist visa is processed for a business person? I need to write a policy at work and I've been insistent that we always process business visas, but I need a copy of a policy from the consulate or something that explains what constitutes a "tourist visa" and what constitutes a "business visa" so that our company employees continue to do the correct thing. I need to make sure I am not steering anyone the wrong way. One of my reasons is that often times when you go to a country on a tourist visa and then you leave, you can be locked out of a country for a specific amount of time before you go back and our executives need to be able to go at ANY given time since we have an office there. Can you help inform me of the rules?
By Lisa October 12,2012 07:48 AM
thank you so much i am planning a trip to china so this has been more than helpful for me thanks again
By chengdu travel fan October 18,2012 08:04 PM
Hi.i from viet nam country .i come to china have L visa .i want to stay in china long time .can you copany help me
L visa can be changed into F visa or Z visa .my mobifone china 13017702736
By Nguyen anh tuan March 23,2013 06:03 PM
Hi Nguyen anh tuan - I'm afraid China Travel does not provide any kind of visa service but you can contact Meshing or Getin2China - the details are at the bottom of the post.
By Aimee Groom March 25,2013 11:13 AM
hello sir, thank alot this is all vey informative, i want to ask you question i am here in Dalian have X visa ,i want to ask what are the rules for a student to work how many hours a week? i will be waiting for your response . thanks
By bilal April 02,2013 12:11 PM
Howdy bilal,
By law, you are not allowed to work on a student visa. Some students work on the side as tutors or do freelance writing, but technically both are a no-no.
If I misunderstood and instead you're curious about how many hours it takes to get a student visa, that is more about the organization you're studying with. Confirm that the school you're studying with can get you a study visa.
Best of luck,
Miller
By Miller Wey April 08,2013 04:35 PM
I was heard about that the rules get tighter than its right now. It will be from July 1, 2013, is this right???
By Middy April 25,2013 10:41 PM
Hi!! Pls i have hered that from july 2013 u can work with students permit in china. Pls is dat true??? Also if u are issued with a 3months x visa nd u arrive just a day before the last day will there be any deficulties???
By Sammy May 06,2013 06:42 AM
That is correct, Middy.
By Miller Wey May 06,2013 01:05 PM
Hello Sammy,
There are a lot of changes coming in July, but I've been unable to find anything suggesting being able to work on a student visa. A major reason this law was written was because many foreigners work illegally under X, L, and F visas. Unless you heard it from a very reliable source, I would assume it's a rumor.
As for your other question, the government has been more alert about people overstaying their visas. If you intend to stay past your visa expiration date, you may have problems.
By Miller Wey May 06,2013 03:23 PM