Checklist for visa application:

A. All applicants are required to submit the following documents:

(1) A valid original passport. There must be blank visa pages in the passport. Pages for endorsements or amendments can not be used as a visa page. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months;

(2) One completed Chinese Visa Application Form signed by the applicant. Children's application form can be signed by their parents or guardians;If the applicant has a Chinese name, the Chinese name should be filled in. False or incomplete information and illegible characters may lead to refusal of a visa.

(3) One recent passport photograph affixed to the visa application form. Life photos, copied photos and digital photos printed on ordinary paper are not acceptable.

B. Additional documents:

1. L visa (for tourism or visiting relative)

(1)Documents mentioned in part A;

(2)For applicants who are going to Tibet, an entry permit issued by Tibetan Tourist Bureau is required . (Fax number of Tibetan Tourist Bureau: 0086-891-6834632; Telephone number:0086-891-6834313)

(3)An applicant holding a passport other than UK passport should provide the original and a copy of his or her permanent residence or work permit which should be valid for at least half a year (except for those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in the UK);

(4) Applicants applying for special tour to China should provide visa notification issued by China National Tourism Administration or the tourism administration of related province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government. Special tour includes self-driving, hiking, cycling, horse-riding, hot air balloon, or other expeditions.

2. F visa (for business)

(1)Documents mentioned in part A;

(2) Letter of invitation from a company or institution in China or Visa Notification Form issued by an authorized unit in China (Visa notification refers to the form of visa notification issued by the Chinese government departments, companies and social organizations authorized by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. For detailed information, please consult the foreign affairs office of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government where your host is located).

(3) An applicant holding a passport other than UK passport should provide the original and a copy of his or her permanent residence or work permit which should be valid for at least half a year(except for those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in the UK).

(4) Applicants applying for short-term study in China should also provide:

A)Admission Notice (original and copy);

B)Visa Application for Study in China (Form JW-201/JW-202, original and copy, which indicates the period of study being less than 6 months).

3. X visa (for studying more than 6 months in China)

(1)Documents mentioned in part A;

(2)JW-201 or JW-202 form(original and copy) issued by the Ministry of Education of China;

(3)A letter of admission from a Chinese University/College.

4. Z visa (for long-term working)

Employment Approval Documents required in addition to Documents mentioned in part A:

(i) Applicants who come to China to take up employment as experts, scholars, teachers, managerial personnel and as personnel working in related state or local organizations should provide:

A) Confirmation Letter of Retaining Foreign Experts issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts (original);

B) Visa Notification issued by an authorized unit in China (original).

(ii)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);

(iii) 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) Visa notification issued by an authorized unit in China (original).

(iv) Personnel who come to China to implement aid or technical cooperative projects should provide:

A) Bilateral or multilateral agreement between the Chinese Government and foreign government or international organization, for cooperation and exchange;

B) Visa notification issued by an authorized unit in China (original).

(v) Personnel who come to China for commercial performance should provide:

A) Approval document (also copy) issued by the Ministry of Culture or the Cultural Department of related province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government;

B) Visa notification issued by the Ministry of Culture or the foreign affairs office of related province, autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government.

(vi) 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) Visa notification issued by an authorized unit in China (original).

(vii) Accompanying family dependents of personnel working in China should provide related note, letter or visa notification issued by an authorized unit or documents proving their status as dependents.

5. J-1 or J-2 visa (for journalism)

(1)Documents mentioned in part A;

(2) A letter from the employer.

(3) Applicants for J-1 visa (resident journalist) should provide a letter or telex of visa notification issued by the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry (the media employing the journalist should apply for the visa notification from the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry). His or her accompanying family members need to provide certificate(s) to prove their status as dependants of the journalist.

(4) Applicants for a J-2 visa (journalist visiting China for temporary news coverage) should provide visa notification issued by competent Chinese authorities.

6. G visa (for transit through China)

(1)Documents mentioned in part A;

(2)A valid visa for the country of destination.

NOTE 1: For applicants from some specific countries, additional documents other than those mentioned above may be required.

NOTE 2: Applicants should check the issued visa upon collection and if necessary raise any queries at the same time. If there is no immediate query relating to the issued visa, the applicant is held responsible under any circumstances thereafter.