Skip to content The “Decree of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China No. 637” sets out the procedures that regulate the entry of foreign nationals into China. Under the direct control of the Central Government, Chinese provinces and administrations decide which provisions they need to implement to facilitate international cooperation through the entry of foreign nationals.
Categories of Entry Visas in China
Article 6 of Decree no. 637 lists the main types of Chinese visas according to the intended activities.
C Visa
The C Visa applies to crew members who perform duties on board an international train, aircraft or vessel.
D Visa
The D Visa applies to people who come to China for permanent residence.
F Visa
The F Visa applies to exchanges, visits and study tours.
G Visa
The G Visa applies to travellers who transit through China.
J Visa for Journalists
China divides the J Visa into two types:
- J1 Visa: for resident foreign journalists;
- J2 Visa: for foreign journalists who come to China for short-term news coverage.
L Visa
The L Visa applies to people who come to China for travel purposes.
M Visa
The M Visa applies to people who come to China for commercial and trade activities.
Q Visa
The Q Visa applies to family reunion and short-term visits. China divides the Q Visa into two types:
- Q1 Visa: for family members of Chinese citizens and family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who apply for residence in China for family reunion;
- Q2 Visa: for relatives of Chinese citizens living in China, or relatives of foreigners with permanent residence status in China, who apply for a short-term visit.
R Visa
The R Visa applies to foreign nationals with high-level talent or specialist skills needed by China.
S Visa
The S Visa applies to relatives and family members of foreigners who reside in China for work, study or other purposes. China divides the S Visa into two types:
- S1 Visa: for spouses, parents, children under the age of 18 or parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work, study or other purposes who apply for a long-term visit to China;
- S2 Visa: for family members of foreigners staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes who apply for a short-term visit to China.
Please keep in mind that the S Visa differs from the Q Visa. The S Visa covers family members or relatives of foreigners residing in China, while the Q Visa covers family members or relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence status in China.
X Visa to Study in China
The X Visa applies to applicants who intend to study in China. China divides the X Visa into two types:
- X1 Visa: for long-term study in China;
- X2 Visa: for short-term study in China.
Z Visa to Work in China
The Z Visa applies to foreign nationals who intend to work in China.
How to Apply for a Chinese Entry Visa
Foreign nationals who intend to travel to China for one of the purposes listed above should apply for the appropriate visa at the Chinese diplomatic mission in their country of residence.
The required documents vary depending on the type of visa.
For visa applications at Chinese consular missions abroad, applicants usually need to provide basic documents such as a passport, a visa application form and a passport photo.
Other documents depend on the visa category. For instance, applicants who apply for an M Visa for commercial and business activities usually need an invitation letter from the inviting entity in China. Applicants who apply for an F Visa must submit an invitation letter from the inviting party in China. Applicants who apply for a G Visa must submit a transit ticket, by air, road, rail or sea, to another country or region, showing the date and seat number.
Chinese consulates abroad usually ask applicants to submit visa application documents in advance so that the consular officers can check them before the appointment.
If the applicant has already provided fingerprints at a Chinese consulate, the consulate may not require their presence again.
If the applicant has never provided fingerprints at a Chinese consulate, the consulate may invite them for fingerprinting and an interview.
Single, Double and Multiple Chinese Entry Visas
Through the visa application form, applicants can choose the type of visa they need and the desired number of entries:
- Single entry: allows one entry into China within a given period of time;
- Double entry: allows two entries into China within a given period of time;
- Multiple entry: allows more than two entries into China within a given period of time.
Chinese diplomatic authorities always decide whether to approve the number of entries requested in the visa application form.
Duration of Chinese Entry Visas
After collecting the visa, applicants should check its validity carefully. In addition to the number of entries, the consulate also decides the time frame in which the visa remains valid. Foreign nationals can only use the visa and travel to China within that validity period.
In many cases, a single-entry visa remains valid for 30 days, while a multiple-entry visa remains valid for 180 days. However, this is not a general rule, as the consulate decides the validity period case by case.
In some cases, foreign nationals may extend the validity of the visa from China without returning to their country of origin. Applicants should check this option in advance with the local immigration authorities.
If local authorities do not allow an extension from China, foreign nationals must return to their home country and apply for a new visa.
Violating the rules of stay may lead to high penalties. In the most serious cases, Chinese authorities may expel foreign nationals from China and ban them from returning.
Working in China: Chinese Business Visa vs. Z Visa
Travellers who need to go to China for business and trade negotiations generally need an M Visa.
The M Visa does not allow foreign nationals to carry out work activities in China. It only allows them to travel to China following an invitation from a local entity to:
- attend meetings or audits;
- negotiate with local clients;
- attend trade fairs or events.
Business Travel to China: Visa-Free Entry or M Visa?
China currently allows eligible ordinary passport holders from countries covered by its unilateral visa-free policy to enter the country without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
The visa-free policy covers specific travel purposes, including business, tourism, visits to relatives or friends, exchange visits and transit.
This means that, in some short-term business travel cases, eligible travellers may no longer need to apply for an M Visa before travelling to China.
However, travellers must apply for the appropriate visa before travelling if they do not meet the visa-free requirements, intend to stay in China for more than 30 days, or plan activities that the exemption does not cover.
For business and commercial activities outside the visa-free regime, travellers generally need an M Visa.
Activities in China with a Z Visa
The Z Visa applies to foreign nationals who travel to China for work reasons following employment with a local entity.
Before applying for a China Work Visa, also known as Z Visa, at a Chinese embassy abroad, applicants must first obtain the Notification Letter for Foreigner’s Work Permit. Chinese authorities issue this letter to confirm that the applicant has received approval to work in China.
Applicants can enter China only after obtaining the Z Visa. After entering China, they must complete a medical examination and register their residence at the local police station.
As a final step, applicants must replace the Z Visa with a residence permit for work purposes and complete the work permit process.
The documents required to obtain a Work Permit may vary depending on the case and on the Chinese province where the employer files the application.
How to Get the Chinese Notification Letter
To obtain the Notification Letter, the employer must file the application with the local Labour Bureau and provide the required documentation. The process usually takes around 3 to 4 weeks.
After receiving the Notification Letter, the applicant may apply for a Z Work Visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
Required Documents from the Employee
- Diploma or study title, duly legalised;
- Police Clearance Certificate, duly legalised;
- Work Experience Certificate proving at least 24 months of experience;
- CV;
- Labour Contract;
- Medical Report.
Required Documents from the Employer
- Business Licence and, where applicable, Certificate of Approval;
- Passport of the legal representative.
Types of Chinese Work Permits
Chinese Work Permits fall into three different categories:
- A = high-level experts;
- B = professional workers;
- C = low-skilled workers.
The full process to obtain the Notification Letter, the Z Visa abroad, the Work Permit and the residence permit usually takes around 45 days in total.
Who is exempted from applying for a Chinese Visa
China has made agreements with some countries for the purpose of allowing visa-free entry. Generally speaking, the exemptions are reserved for:
- Diplomatic, service or officer passport holders;
- Citizens of certain nationalities;
- Holders of a Residence Permit (for those who have obtained a Z, J1, X1 or D visa);
- Holders of Business Travel Card.
UPDATE: China has extended its unilateral visa-free policy for eligible ordinary passport holders from several countries, including Italy, until 24:00 on 31 December 2026. During this period, eligible travellers may enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. This applies only for specific travel purposes.
Is the Chinese PU Letter still required?
Chinese authorities commonly required the Chinese PU Letter during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the special entry and visa procedures in force at that time.
The PU Letter should no longer appear as a standard current requirement for Chinese business visa applications.