Getting clear and accurate information on obtaining a Chinese visa is not always straightforward. We'll attempt to clarify the procedures to provide you with all the answers to your questions about this entry requirement.

Updated September 28, 2014: Since these guidelines were first published, the Embassy of Chine has reassessed certain aspects of visa acquisition. This article has been updated to provide you with accurate information and assist you in obtaining your China visa.

Table of Contents

• Obtaining Your China Visa
• Types of Chinese Visas
• Visa Validity, Length of Stay and Number of Entries
• Visa for Hong Kong and Macao
• Visa for Tibet
• Useful Addresses and Opening Hours

How to Obtain Your China Visa?

To enter Chinese territory, obtaining a visa is mandatory. The Chinese visa is an authorization issued by the Embassy of Chine to any foreigner or Chinese national wishing to travel to the People's Republic of Chine.

Chinese Authorities Competent for Visa Issuance

Visas are not issued by just anyone. For Chine, there are several competent authorities you can approach for your visa request.

• Chinese Embassies and Consulates (Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon and Marseille)
• Commissariats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chine based in Hong Kong and Macao
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Public Security
• Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)
• Identification Department of the Macao Special Administrative Region

Using an Agency for Visa Acquisition

Please note that neither embassies nor consulates general accept postal applications.

In this case, you can use the services of one of the many agencies specializing in visa acquisition. We particularly recommend Action Visas, with whom we have a partnership offering preferential rates.

The agency acts as a bridge between you and the embassy, guiding you through the procedures, advising you on the type of visa to obtain, and informing you about required documents in exchange for additional fees.

The competent authorities responsible for issuing visas may grant different types according to the applicant's status, the purpose of the stay, or the type of passport.

For each visa type, you must download the visa application form.

It is recommended to carefully complete all requested information and attach all necessary supporting documents for visa acquisition. A single omission can result in outright rejection and you'll need to start all over again!

The processing time for a visa is generally 5 business days (from the date of submission to the Embassy of Chine) or 1 to 2 days for expedited processing. Chinese visa prices vary depending on the type of visa requested.

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Types of Chinese Visas

To obtain a China visa, you must provide numerous administrative documents. Each visa requires different information, so you must be very attentive to what is requested and not hesitate to contact visa acquisition agencies for clarification.

For any type of visa:

For any type of visa, you are required to provide:

• Your valid passport (it must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date and have at least 2 consecutive blank pages)
• The correctly completed and signed visa application form accompanied by a recent identity photo in 4.5 x 3.5 cm format
• A photocopy of your round-trip airline ticket
• A photocopy of the information page of your passport.

There are four types of Chinese visas: the diplomatic visa, the courtesy visa, the service visa, and the ordinary visa. The latter is obviously the most sought-after. It is itself divided into eight distinct categories:

Tourist Visa L:

It is issued to foreign tourists wishing to visit Chinese territory, visit friends or family residing in Chine.

In addition to the elements listed above, the following are required for the tourist visa:

• A photocopy of hotel reservations during your stay or a certificate of accommodation in Chine mentioning the name and address of the establishment.
• An international insurance certificate: medical care/repatriation valid during your stay in Chine (you have the option to purchase medical care/repatriation insurance when booking your airline tickets)
• A work certificate or proof of income (bank statement for the last 3 months) or a school certificate (for students over 18 years old)
• If you wish to visit a family member in Chine, you must provide an invitation letter, a family certificate (family record book) and an identity document of this family member (residence permit in Chine for foreigners, Chinese identity card for Chinese nationals)
• If you wish to travel to Chine to visit a friend, you must provide an invitation letter from your friend in Chine along with an identity document (residence permit in Chine for foreigners, Chinese identity card for Chinese nationals). This invitation letter must contain the following information: 1 - Personal information about the invitee: name, gender, date of birth, etc.; 2 - Information about the invitee's visit schedule: arrival and departure dates, places to visit, etc.; 3 - Information about the unit or individual making the invitation: name, telephone number, address, official seal of the unit and signature of its legal representative or the person concerned.
• For non-French passports, a residence permit in France is required or an employer's certificate in France and a French school certificate if a student
• A financial certificate is required in certain visa application cases
• If you are traveling on an organized tour or through a tour operator (individual or group), you must attach a certificate from the agency or tour operator indicating that you have booked or purchased a tour from one date to another: in this case, you no longer need to provide proof of flight and hotel.

For minor children:

• A territory exit authorization signed by both parents or legal guardians.
• A photocopy of the family record book.
• A photocopy of the parents' or legal guardians' identity documents.

Business Visa F:

This visa is issued to foreigners making a professional visit (business meeting, trade fair or exhibition, internship, etc.). It is issued upon invitation and the validity period must not exceed 6 months.

For the business visa, complete your visa application file by also providing:

• A photocopy of hotel reservations during your stay in Chine mentioning the name and address of the establishment or an accommodation certificate from the inviter mentioning the inviter's name, address and telephone number with a copy of the inviter's passport and copy of their Chinese visa or identity card if they are a Chinese national.
• An invitation letter from a competent unit or individual in Chine containing the following information: 1 - Personal information about the invitee: name, gender, date of birth, etc.; 2 - Information about the visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, places to visit, relationship with the unit or individual inviting them, source of funding for the trip, etc.; 3 - Information about the unit or individual making the invitation: name, telephone number, address, official seal of the unit and signature of its legal representative or the person concerned.

If the visa applicant is bearing their own travel costs, they must provide a proof of funds (for example a bank deposit certificate, income statement, etc.); if the costs are covered by a French company that is the applicant's employer, that company must provide a mission letter indicating that it will cover the applicant's travel expenses.

Multiple entry business visa 6 months:

• A photocopy of the last two Chinese visas used.
• The invitation letter must mention "Multiple for a period of 6 months" and indicate the dates of at least 3 planned stays.

Multiple entry business visa 12 months:

• A photocopy of the last two Chinese visas used.
• An original invitation letter from Chinese government ministries.

Study Visa X:

Study Visa X1 for more than 180 days

The study visa application for 180 days must be accompanied by the following documents:

• The JW201 or JW202 form issued by Chinese education authorities.
• The original admission certificate and a color copy from the Chinese educational establishment.
• A school certificate or a copy of the student card or a work certificate attesting to employment for more than 3 months.

Study Visa X2 for less than 180 days

• The original admission certificate and a color photocopy from the Chinese educational establishment.
• Proof of round-trip airline ticket reservation.
• A hotel reservation for at least the first 7 days, mentioning the name and address of the establishment or an accommodation certificate.
• A school certificate or student card copy or a work certificate attesting to employment for more than 3 months.

Work Visa Z:

The work visa is recommended for foreigners coming to work in Chine.

The following are required:

• The visa notification issued by a competent Chinese authority
• An original medical certificate
• An employment license issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the People's Republic of Chine; - OR an approval issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts of the People's Republic of Chine; - OR a ratification for the representative office of foreign enterprises in Chine issued by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of Chine (for representatives working permanently in said office); - OR a teaching certificate for the representative office of foreign enterprises in Chine issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the People's Republic of Chine (for the head of the representative office) - OR a work card for representatives of the representative office of foreign enterprises issued by the Provincial Administration of Commerce; - OR an employment permit issued by the Provincial Employment Service Bureau; - OR a residence permit for foreigners issued by the Municipal Public Security Bureau
• Family civil status record or a photocopy of the family record book (for spouses, children and other accompanying family members listed on the visa notification)
• Certificate or statutory declaration of common-law cohabitation legalized by the Town Hall for unmarried partners listed on the visa notification
• A medical certificate (certificate to download from the Embassy website)

Transit Visa G:

This visa is issued to foreigners passing through Chine to travel to another country. To obtain this type of visa you must provide:

• The airline (train or boat) ticket to your destination country or region with confirmed date and seat.
• Hotel reservation or accommodation certificate.
• Members of aircraft and boat crews planning to board in Chine must present the official letter from the airline or shipping company (including Ocean shipping Agencies).

New Regulations for Transit Through Chine

Since January 1, 2013, nationals of 45 countries, including France, can benefit from a 72-hour visa-free transit in Beijing (capital airport), Shanghai (Pudong and Hongqiao airports), Guangzhou (Baiyun airport) since August 1, 2013, Chengdu (Shuangliu airport) since September 1, 2013, and Shenyang and Dalian (Liaoning province, Taoxian and Zhoushuizi airports) since January 1, 2014.
To benefit from this facility, passengers must be in possession of a confirmed ticket for a third country and, where applicable, a visa for that country. They are not permitted to leave the municipality of Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangdong province or the cities of Shenyang and Dalian and must depart within 72 hours to the third country for which they have a reservation. This facility is reserved for passengers in transit to a third country: a round trip between France (or any other country) and Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenyang or Dalian, even for a duration of less than 72 hours, is subject to the visa requirement. Travelers should request this transit from their airline and are advised to verify with them whether the proposed itinerary is compatible with a 72-hour visa-free transit.

Residence Visa D:

The D visa is granted to foreigners who have obtained authorization to reside in Chine. The application procedures may result in an interview if the Embassy deems it necessary.

You must provide, in addition to the form and passport, the original "Confirmation Form of Permanent Residence in Chine for Foreigners". The visa applicant themselves or their parents residing in Chine must request this certificate from the immigration and emigration authorities of the Public Security Bureau of the city or district of their residence.

The visa holder must, within 30 days of their arrival on Chinese territory, apply to the local public security administration office responsible for entry and exit from Chinese territory in their planned place of residence (at least at district administrative level) to file a residence application.

Visa for minor children:

It is specifically issued to minor children. The following are required:

• Birth certificate
• Parental authorization
• A copy of parents' identity documents
• In case of divorce, the notarized divorce deed legalized with mentions concerning the child's custody
• A copy of the school certificate

Journalist Visa J:

This visa is exclusively reserved for foreign media professionals, journalists on temporary assignment or permanent correspondents in Chine. For this type of visa, you must provide:

• A visa application signed by the head of the media company's headquarters where the journalist works specifying the journalist's position, the nature of their work, their city of residence, etc.
• A presentation of the journalist's situation, a photocopy of the journalist's press card, a curriculum vitae, the journalist's contact information, etc.
• An invitation letter from the entities or persons being interviewed, or a document attesting to agreement for an interview

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Visa Validity, Length of Stay and Number of Entries

Visa validity refers to the number of days your visa is valid from the date of issuance. Beyond this validity, entry to Chinese territory will be refused (see our misadventure in Macao). Do not confuse validity with authorized length of stay.

Validity varies depending on the visa requested. Today, the Embassy has shortened the validity period and only offers 30 days from the date of visa application. It is therefore advisable to submit your application two to three weeks before your departure.

The length of stay and number of entries vary depending on visa types and are evaluated based on the invitation letter for business visas.

Depending on your visa, you may obtain a double or multiple entry visa. This allows you to leave Chine and return without getting a new visa.

(1) Visa Category (here Tourist Visa L) (2) Validity (this visa is valid until May 18, beyond which entry will be refused) (3) Date of issuance (4) First and last name (5) Date of birth (6) Number of entries (here 2 entries authorized) (7) Duration of each stay (here 90 days) (8) Place of visa issuance in Chinese (9) Passport number

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Visa for Hong Kong and Macao

Hong Kong and Macao have the particularity of being Special Administrative Regions (SAR). Colonized by Great Britain and Portugal, these two regions have maintained Chinese sovereignty but remain independent and autonomous. Holders of an ordinary French passport or European nationals are not required to obtain a visa for Hong Kong if their stay does not exceed 90 days. However, a visa may be required if the visit to Hong Kong and Macao is for educational purposes (studies or internship) or professional purposes (work, exhibition, artistic performance, etc.). An application for a Hong Kong visa can be submitted to the Embassy of Chine or Consulates in France.

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Visa for Tibet

Foreign tourists wishing to travel to Tibet must be equipped with a passport and Chinese visa, but also with an entry permit (TTB Permit) and a foreign travel permit (PSD Permit). The formalities do not end there since a foreigner is not permitted to enter Tibetan territory alone.

Indeed, to travel to Tibet, it is essential to go through a French or Chinese travel agency that holds a special license, allowing them to obtain your right of entry. Furthermore, a minimum number of 5 visitors per tour operator is required to travel to this territory.

Any permit request is governed by tour operators and must be submitted at least ten days before the entry date.

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Useful Addresses and Opening Hours

Embassy of Chine

11 avenue George V 75008 Paris

Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Tel: 01 49 52 19 50

Fax: 01 47 20 24 22

Email:

Website: http://www.amb-chine.fr/fra/

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Consulate General of the People's Republic of Chine in Lyon

26 rue Louis Blanc 69006 Lyon

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Email:

Tel: 04 37 24 83 05

Website: http://lyon.consulatchine.org

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Consulate General of the People's Republic of Chine in Strasbourg

4 rue Eugène Carrière 67000 Strasbourg

Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (except French public holidays and major Chinese holidays)

Tel : 03 88 35 32 34

Email:

Website: http://www.consulatchine-strasbourg.org/fra/

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Consulate General of the People's Republic of Chine in Marseille

16 Boulevard Carmagnole 13008 Marseille

Opening hours : Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:15 AM to 12:00 PM

Email:

Tel : 04 91 32 02 60

Website: http://marseille.china-consulate.org/fra/

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Consulate General of the People's Republic of Chine in Reunion

50, Rue Général de Gaulle Saint-Denis Reunion Island, France

Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Email:

Tel : 00262-(262)98 92 98

Website: http://reunion-sdn.china-consulate.org/fra/

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Action Visa

10/12 rue du Moulin des Près 75013 Paris

Open 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM Monday to Friday. 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday Tel : 01.45.88.56.70 Fax : 01.45.88.59.84

Website: Action-visa.com

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RapideVisa

20 rue Godot de Mauroy 75009 Paris-Madeleine

Reception hours : Monday to Friday 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:45 PM. Tel : 01 84 17 88 88 Fax : 09 72 45 90 75

Website: http://www.rapidevisa.fr

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For any questions regarding your visa application, please feel free to contact us through the blog.