Guide on the Requirements for Chinese Visa Application
REQUIREMENTS FOR CHINESE VISA – You can check the lists below for the documents you will need in applying for a travel visa to China.
Are you planning to visit China soon? The country which is one of the super powers in the world has a lot to offer from the tasty foods to beautiful sceneries and a unique, a visit to the country can give you several unique experiences.
When you get to China, you’ll surely have wonderful experiences at the Jiuzhaigou National Park, the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, the Hainan Yalong Bay, and the Fengning Bashang Grassland if you are after nature. You will also surely love to take snaps at the famous Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City & the Imperial Palace in Beijing, and cruising the Li River in Guilin.
China is not in the list of visa free countries but an entry to the country is possible. With what awaits you in the country, the efforts and money you may be spending for a Chinese visa application is worth it. You just have to secure the right visa for your visit.
If you are a foreign crew member of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities or an accompanying family member of the crew onboard, you must apply for the Visa Category C with the following requirements for Chinese Visa application:
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
If you are flying to China for a permanent residency in the country, you need to prepare and submit the following requirements for Chinese Visa application for Visa Category D:
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
- original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China
China also opens its borders for visa holders for exchange visits. Here are the requirements for Chinese Visa application for Visa Category F intended for exchange visits, study tours, and other activities:
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
- Invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China
Even if you are just entering China to proceed to another flight, you need to secure a travel visa — the Visa Category G. You need to prepare the following requirements for Chinese Visa application to transit in the country:
- onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
If you are a resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China, you need to be approved of Visa Category J1. Here are the requirements for Chinese Visa application for this type of visa:
- Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
- an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
For foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage, apply for Visa Category J2. Here are the requirements for Chinese Visa application:
- Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China
- an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
If you will visit China for commercial and trade activities, apply for Visa Category M. You need to prepare the following requirements for Chinese Visa application:
- Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China; or
- trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
If you want to go to China for a family visit for family members or foreigners working or studying in the Chinese country, you need to be approved of the Visa Category S2. Here are the requirements for Chinese Visa application you must gather and submit to the Chinese Embassy:
- an invitation letter issued by the inviting individual
- a photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit
- a photocopy of certification showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
If you want to study in China, get the Visa Category X1. There is a different set of documents that you need to submit for application. Here are the requirements for Chinese Visa application for this purpose:
- original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China
- original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China”
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
China allows workers from other nations provided that you present a Visa Category Z. To apply for this type of visa to work in China, here are the requirements for Chinese Visa application for Visa Category Z:
- “Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit” or the original “Foreigner’s Work Permit”
- Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
- Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
- Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
- Passport and a photocopy of the data page
- One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
