Chinese Visa includes four major types, they are Chinese Diplomatic Visa, Service Visa, Courtesy Visa and Ordinary Visa. Most of the time we talk about Chinese Visa, we refer to the Ordinary Visa types of mainland China, which consist of 12 sub-types - total 16 categories .
How many types of Chinese Visas are there?
It’s very important to undertsand and find out which type of Chinese Visa you shall apply for before preparing materials, beacuse though basid requirements are the same, there are corresponding supporting documents separately. Chinese Visa includes four major types, they are Chinese Diplomatic Visa, Service Visa, Courtesy Visa and Ordinary Visa. Most of the time we talk about Chinese Visa, we refer to the Ordinary Visa types of mainland China, which consist of 12 sub-types - total 16 categories.
Follow us, read the brief introduction to each type of Chinese Visas below to determine and choose the one matching with your purpose of visiting China, and what kinds of documents you should prepare for application, except required passport, application form and photo.
12 Main Types of China Visa
There are 12 major visa types, which are denoted by letters (see below):
L (tourist visa): Issued to an applicant who goes to China for sightseeing purposes, to visit family members or friends, or for other personal affairs.
M (business visa): Issued to an applicant who goes to China for commercial and trade activities.
F (visa for exchanges and visits): Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for an exchange, visit, study tour, and other activities.
Z (work visa): Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China.
X (student visa): Issued to an applicant who intends to study in China.
G (transit visa):Issued to those who transit through China.
C (crew visa): Issued to crew members on international aviation, navigation, and land transportation missions, and to family members accompanying them.
D (resident visa): Issued to an applicant who is to reside permanently in China.
J (journalist visa): J-1 is issued to foreign resident correspondents in China; J-2 is issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview missions in China.
R (talent visa): Issued to high-level talents or those whose skills are urgently needed in China.
S (visa for private visits): Issued to family members of foreigners residing in China for work, study, etc.
Q (family reunion visa): Issued to relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence permits residing in China.
