Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a diplomatic, courtesy, service or ordinary visa to a foreigner according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type. Hereunder is an introduction to the ordinary visa and its application procedure:

The ordinary visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are marked with Chinese phonetic letters (D, Z, X, F, L, G, C, J-1 and J-2 respectively).

D Visa: issued to an applicant who is to reside permanently in China. A permanent residence confirmation form shall be required for the application of D Visa. The applicant shall apply to obtain this form himself or through his designated relatives in China from the exit-and-entry department of the public security bureau in the city or county where he applies to reside.

Z Visa: Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members. To apply for Z Visa, an Employment License of the People's Republic of China for Foreigners (which could be obtained by the employer in China from the provincial or municipal labor authorities) and a visa notification letter/telegram issued by an authorized unit are required.

X Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for the purpose of study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of six months or above. To apply for X Visa, certificates from the receiving unit or the competent authority concerned are required, i.e., Application Form for Overseas Students to China (JW201 Form or JW202 Form), Admission Notice and Physical Examination Record for Foreigners.

F Visa: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months. To apply for F Visa, the invitation letter from the inviting unit or the visa notification letter/telegram from the authorized unit is required.

L Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for tourist purposes, family-visiting or other personal affairs. For a tourist applicant, in principle he shall evidence his financial capability of covering the travelling expenses to China, and when necessary, provide the air, train or ship tickets to other country/region after leaving China. For the applicants who come to China to visit relatives, some are required to show invitation letters from their relatives in China.

G Visa: Issued to those who transit through China. The applicants are required to show valid visas and through tickets to the heading countries/regions.

C Visa: Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them. To apply for C visa, relevant documents are required to be provided in accordance with bilateral agreements or regulations of the Chinese side.

J-1Visa: Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.

J-2 Visa: Issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview mission in China. The applicants for J-1 and J-2 visas are required to provide a certificate issued by the competent authorities in China.

In addition to providing the above-mentioned documents, an applicant is also required to answer relevant questions and go through the following formalities (with the exception of those stipulated otherwise by agreements):

Providing valid passport or a certificate that can take the place of the passport

Filling out a visa application form, and providing a recent 2-cun, half-length, bareheaded and full-faced photo.

Paying the visa charge.

The Chinese visa authorities overseas include Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, the consular department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR, and other agencies abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory, he shall apply to the above-mentioned Chinese visa authorities for a Chinese visa.