Guidelines for Visa Application
NOTICE
I. Basic Documents Required for Application
II. Supplementary Documents Required for Application
III. Processing Time
IV. Fees and Payment
V. Other Important Information
Guidelines for Visa Application
NOTICE
Holders of diplomatic, service (official) passport, applicants applying for Hong Kong/Macao visa/entry permit and those ordinary passport holders on basis of an online appointment with the embassy still submit their applications directly to the Chinese Embassy. Online appointment website: http:// ca.china-embassy.org/chn/. Visa applications other than those mentioned above should be submitted to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). Please check the relevant information on www.visaforchina.org.
I. Basic Documents Required for Application
1. Original passport valid for at least 6 months and having 2 or more blank visa pages.
2. One fully completed Visa Application Form. If you are applying to work or study in China, or if someone else travelling with you shares the same passport, or if you are applying for a visa in a country or territory other than the country of your current nationality, you should fill out the Supplementary Visa Application Form.
3. With a color passport photo taken within last 6 months (full face, front view, unamounted and against a white background) affixed on it.
4. Applicant holding a nationality other than Canadian should submit the original and a photocopy of the permanent resident card, study permit or work permit.
5. Former Chinese citizens applying for Chinese visas for the first time with a newly issued foreign passport should provide the original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the data page and extension page of the passport.
6. Former Chinese citizens who obtained Chinese visas before and are going to apply for Chinese visas with a renewed foreign passport, are required to provide the copy of the data page of their previous foreign passports and the issued Chinese visas on it.
7. Should the applicant's name shown in the above documents are not identical, please provide official certificates to prove the change of name.
II. Supplementary Documents Required for Application
1.Tourist and family visit visa (L visa)
One of the following documents is required:
(1) An Invitation Letter for Tourist or for Tourist Group by a Duly Authorized Tourism Unit;
(2) An Invitation Letter issued by companies, corporations, institutions or individuals in China. If the invitation letter is issued by an individual in China, the photocopy of the ID of the individual is required.
The invitation letter issued by companies, corporations, institutions or individuals in China, shall include the following items:
A. Personal information of the applicant: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
B. Information concerning the applicant's visit to China: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the inviter, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.
C. Information of the inviter: name of the unit or individual, phone number, address, and if applicable, the legal representative or the inviter's seal and signature.
(3)Travel Itinerary in China, photocopy of the roundtrip airline ticket and hotel reservation.
Note :(1)Generally, the invitation letter may be submitted as a fax, copy or printout. If necessary, the consular officer will ask the applicant to submit the original invitation letter, or to provide some supporting and supplementary documents, or schedule an interview.
(2) The application with any fake invitation letter or other fraud will be rejected.
(3) In accordance with the specific application, the consular officer decides to issue visas with different validity, number of entries and duration of stay in China.
2.Business visa (F visa)
The applicants who apply Chinese visas with single/double entry should provide one of the following documents:
(1) An Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit(referring to the form of visa notification issued by the Chinese governmental departments, companies and social organizations authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs); or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency;
(2) Invitation cards of various kinds of trade fairs;
(3) An invitation Letter issued by a state-owned enterprise, collectively-owned enterprise, joint venture, solely-owned or private enterprise and educational, cultural and scientific institutions, and conference sponsors or hosts (original or copies).
The invitation letter issued by companies, enterprises, corporations, institutions or individuals (i.e. sponsors or hosts as mentioned above) in China shall include the following items:
A. Personal information of the applicant: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
B. Information concerning the applicant's visit to China: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the inviter, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.
C. Information of the inviter: name of the unit or individual, phone number, address, and if applicable, the legal representative or the inviter's seal and signature.
Note:(1)Generally, the invitation letter may be submitted as a fax, copy or printout. If necessary, the consular officer will ask the applicant to submit the original invitation letter, or to provide some supporting and supplementary documents, or schedule an interview.
(2) The application with any fake invitation letter or other fraud will be rejected.
(3) In accordance with the specific application, the consular officer decides to issue visas with different validity, number of entries and duration of stay in China.
The following people could apply for a F visa with multiple entries:
A. applicants holding An Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit issued by an authorized unit requesting for F visa with multiple entries;
B. business license or enterprise approval certificate under applicant's own name (The original one will be returned after checking);
C. Records indicating that applicants had previous visas for more than two entries into China. (An invitation letter and a copy of the previous visa are required.)
applicants applying for short-term (no more than 6 months) student visa in China should also provide:
A. Admission Notice (original and copy);
B. Visa Application for Study in China provided by the schools (Form JW-201 or Form JW-202, original and copy, which indicates the period of study being no more than six months).
3.Student visa (X visa)
(1) Students admitted by ordinary school should provide Visa Application for Study in China (Form JW-201 or Form JW-202, original and copy) and Admission Notice (original and copy).
(2)Students admitted by Jinan University (or school of Chinese Language and Culture), Huaqiao University (or Jimei School of Chinese Language and Literature) and 3 schools of Chinese language and literature in Beijing, Kunming and Nanning shall provide Admission notice.
(3) The applicant who attends medical internship shall provide:
A. Application Form for Medical Internship; B. Admission Notice issued by school of internship placement.
(4) Accompanying family dependents can apply for a L visa. In order to apply for a L visa, he or she needs to provide proof of kinship, e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate and the invitation letter.
Note: (1) The applicant who will study in China for more than 6 months shall also provide a Physical Examination Record for Foreigner.
(2) Holders of student visa should go through the formalities for a residence permit at a local public security authority within 30 days after entry into China.
4. Work Visa (Z visa)
(1)Foreigners who are engaged by the Chinese government, state agencies or public institutions to come to China to take up employment as professional or managerial personnel should provide:
A. Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts (original and copy);
B. Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese unit (original and copy).
(2) Foreign technical personnel who come to China for Offshore petroleum operations should provide Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (original and copy);
(3) Chief representative or representative of foreign offices resident in China should provide : A. the registration certificate of resident representative office of foreign (regional) enterprises issued by related administrative department of industry and commerce; or the approval document for the resident representative offices of foreign enterprises issued by related commercial departments;
B. Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese unit.
(4) Personnel who come to China to implement aid or cooperative projects should provide:
A. bilateral or multilateral agreement between the Chinese Government and foreign government or international organization for cooperation and exchange;
B. Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese unit.
(5) Foreigners who come to China to work as experts, volunteers, charity staff, etc without payment or with payment provided by foreign organizations should provide an Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese unit.
(6) Personnel who come to China for commercial performance should provide:
A. Approval document (also copy) issued by the Ministry of Culture;
B. Invitation Letter issued by the Ministry of Culture or the foreign affairs office of related province, autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government (original).
(7) Foreign working personnel of foreign cultural centers in China should provide a Confirmation Letter on the Working Personnel Appointed by the government of the sending state and an Invitation Letter issued by the Foreign Cultural Liaison Office of the Chinese Cultural ministry.
(8) Personnel other than those mentioned above should provide:
A. The Employment Permit for Foreigners issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security;
B. Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese unit.
(9) Accompanying family dependents of personnel working in China should provide an Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese unit and the proof of kinship, e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. The working permit is not needed.
Note: (1) Applicant who will work in China for more than 6 months should provide a Physical Examination Record for Foreigner.
(2) Holders of work visa should go through the formalities for a residence permit at a local public security authority within 30 days after entry into China.
5. Crew Visa (C visa)
(1) Related document(s) should be provided as stated in the bilateral agreement. For a multiple-entry C visa, an official visa notification issued by the relevant authorities of the Chinese government should be provided if there is no bilateral agreement or it is beyond bilateral agreement.
(2) Crew members of scheduled special flights, chartered flights or vessels should provide the application letters from the companies that own the above-mentioned flights or vessels. The C visas are not valid until the flights or vessels have obtained landing permits in the Chinese territory.
(3) Crew members of foreign companies who perform duties on international flight operated by Chinese carriers under an exchange program should provide visa notification issued by an authorized unit in China.
Note: C visa holders who come to China for the purposes other than performing such a duty or those who intend to continue to stay in China for personal reasons after completion of their duties have to apply for an appropriate visa.
6. Resident Journalist Visa (J-1visa)
(1)Applicants for J-1 visa (resident journalist & related staff) should provided a visa notification issued by the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (hereafter referred to as the Information Department) and an application letter signed by relevant management personnel of the media organization head office (should have set up a permanent bureau in China) and should include:
A. a profile of the media organization concerned; B. a written introduction of the journalist, including his/her name, age, gender, nationality, capacity, resume, contact number and address, and the city to be posted, etc. C. credentials or documents identifying the journalist as a professional journalist.
(2) The accompanying family members of the resident journalist (only for spouse and minor children) need to provide the visa notification from the Information Department to apply for J-1 visa. The other foreign employees working in the permanent branch of the media organization and their accompanying family members should provide the relevant documents and apply for a Z visa.
(3) If two or more foreign media organizations want to appoint the same journalist as their resident journalist in China, they should go through the above-mentioned application procedures separately and indicate in their respective applications the posts the journalist will concurrently hold.
(4) To set up a permanent branch in China, foreign media organizations shall first submit an application to the Information Department, directly or through a Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. The application should include:
A. an application letter signed by relevant management personnel of the media organization head office should confirm the name, location and capacity of the branch to be established, the head, resident journalist and other staff members to be posted, including his/her copy of passport, Professional credential, name, resume, contact number, etc.
B. a profile of the media organization concerned;
C. a copy of registration documents of the media organization.
Note: J-1 visa holders should go through formalities for a residence permit at a local public security authority within 30 days after entry into China.
7. Temporary Journalist Visa (J-2 visa)
Applicants for a J-2 visa (journalists visiting China for temporary news coverage & related staff) should provide:
A. a visa notification issued by the Information Department or the relevant duly authorized unit of China;
B. an application/ authorization letter from the applicant's media organization confirming his/ her assignment to China signed by relevant management personnel and a specific itinerary (including name list, arrival and departure date, places to be visited, purpose and program of coverage) shall be attached;
C. photocopy of passport and journalist professional credentials (i.e. a press card etc.);
D. If the journalist would like to bring their own equipment for interviews, he or she should fill out the Equipment Declaration Form.
8. Transit Visa (G visa)
Applicants for a G visa should provide a valid visa to and an onward air ticket on international flight to the destination country or region.
Note: Unless specifically requested by the applicant and approved by Consular Officers, G visa is usually valid for three months with 7-day duration of stay. G-visa is only issued with single or double entries.
9. Permanent Residence Visa (D visa)
Applicants for a D visa should provide the original of the approval document of his or her permanent residence (Confirmation Form for Alien Permanent Residence Status in China) in China issued by the public security authority in the place where the applicant intends to reside.
Note: D visa holder should go through formalities for a permanent residence permit within 30 days after entry into China at a local public security authority.
10. The applicant should provide other necessary documents as required by the visa officers.
III. Processing Time
1. Regular service: 4 working days.
2. Express service: 2 working days. Visa can be picked up on the 3rd business day.
3. Same-day rush service: 1 working day. Visa can be picked up on the 2nd working day.
VI. Fees and Payment
1. Regular Service
Single Entry: $50
Double Entry: $75
6-month Multiple Entry: $100
12-Month Multiple Entry: $150
Group Visa: $40 per visa
Note: US passport holders will be charged $140 if applied individually and $120 per visa if applied as a group.
2. Express service: an additional fee of $35 per visa will be charged.
3. Same-day rush service: an additional fee of $50 per visa will be charged.
4. Please pay by Money Order, Company's Check or Debit Card. Cash, Credit Card or Personal Check will not be accepted. If the visa is issued by the Embassy, please make Company's Check or Money Order payable to "Chinese Embassy". If the visa is issued by the Consulate General, please make Company's Check or Money Order payable to "Chinese Consulate General".
V. Other important information
1. The visa application form should be filled out truly, clearly and completely on a computer, and should be printed out for submission. Any false or incomplete information given in the application form may result in delayed processing or even the refusal of a visa.
2. Visa officers decide the period of validity, number of entries and duration of each stay according to the relevant Chinese laws and regulations.
3. Since June 22, 2012, holders of diplomatic, service (official) passport, applicants applying for Hong Kong/Macao visa/entry permit and those ordinary passport holders on basis of an online appointment with the embassy still submit their applications directly to the Chinese Embassy. Online appointment website: http:// ca.china-embassy.org/chn/. Visa applications other than those mentioned above should be submitted to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). Please check the relevant information onwww.visaforchina.org.
Chinese Visa Application Service Center
Office address:
Suite 1450, 220 Laurier Avenue W, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Business hours:
Monday-Friday (except Chinese and Canadian public holidays)
Application Submission: 9:00AM to 3:00PM
Payment and Passport Collection: 9:00AM-4:00PM
The Center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact information:
Phone: 613-5638 472
Fax: 613-5638 473
E-mail: ottawacenter@visaforchina.org
Please take note that those who wish to apply for Chinese visa or document authentication by mail or courier might send the applications to travel agencies in Ottawa, such as "Golden Mile 2000 Travel Consultant", which will submit the applications on their behalf. The address, phone and fax number of the "Golden Mile 2000 Travel Consultant" are as follows: 203-1390 Prince of Wales Dr. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2C 3K6;
Tel: 613-224 6863 Fax: 613-224 7863.
4. The above information is subject to change and explain by the consular officials of the Chinese Embassy or the Consulate General.