Guide on the Requirements for Visa to China — What You Need To Prepare
REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA TO CHINA – You can check the documents needed in applying for a travel visa to the Chinese country.
China is one of the most unique countries across the globe. One of the super powers, it does not only boast the famous Great Wall of China but as well as the Forbidden City, the Cruising the Li River in Guilin, the Summer Palace in Beijing, and the the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan.
Also, if you happen to visit China, don’t forget to spend some time at the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, Jiangsu. It is one of the beautiful places you can see. Although China is not one of the visa free countries 2023, it is possible to get to the country provided that you get an approval for a travel visa.
The Chinese authorities have set different types of travel visa for visitors based on the purpose of visit to China. Below, here are the different types of Chinese visa and the specific categories of their issuance:
Visa Category C — This travel visa is issued to the foreign crew members of international transportation such as trains, aircraft, ships, and even land-based transportation. This is also the visa type for accompanying family members of the crew onboard. Here are the requirements:
- 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
Visa Category D — If you are flying to China for a permanent residency there, you must secure the Visa Category D. Here are the documents that you will need in applying for it:
- 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
Visa Category F — There is another set of requirements for visa to China for individuals who will be visiting the Chinese country for exchanges, visits, study tours, and other related 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
Visa Category G — If you are doing a transit in China, you need to secure a travel visa. Here are the requirements in applying for the specific type of travel document:
- 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
Visa Category J1 — If you are resident foreign journalist of a news company stationed in China, here are the requirements for visa application to China:
- 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
Visa Category J2 — Foreign journalists who want to visit the Chinese nation for a short-term coverage for news or other media outputs may do so provided that you secure the Visa Category J2. Here are the documents needed for 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
Visa Category M — If you are visiting China for commercial or trade activities, here are the requirements for visa to China:
- 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
Visa Category Q1 — Family members of a Chinese citizen or foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and travel for family reunion or foster care may apply for a travel visa by gathering and submitting these documents:
- invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China
- Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit
- Original and a photocopy of certification
- 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
Visa Category Q2 — If you intend to visit your relatives who are Chinese citizens living in China or foreigners with permanent residence in the Chinese country, here are the requirements for visa application:
- an invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China
- a photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the 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
Visa Category R — The Chinese government also issues a different type of visa for high-level talents or whose skills that are urgently needed in China. Prepare the following documents:
- submit relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations
- 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
Visa Category S1 — If you want to go to China to visit your foreigner spouse, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law working or studying in the country, prepare the following documents for visa application:
- an invitation letter from the inviting individual
- a photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit
- original and 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
Visa Category X1 — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days, here are the requirements:
- 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
Visa Category Z — If you intend to go to China for employment, you need to prepare and submit the following documents for visa application:
- “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