Here are the documents you shall prepare before submission of visa application:
1. Basic Documents
(1) Passport
Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and with blank visa pages, a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.

(2) Visa Application Form and Photo
One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken color passport photo(bare-head, full face) against a white background (size: 48mm x 33mm) attached. (Click here to check the specific requirements of photo)

(3) Proof of legal status (applicable for those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
If you are not applying for a visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates of residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal stay provided by the relevant authorities of the country where the Visa Center is located.

(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship).
If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide the last Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.
If you have obtained Chinese visas before and apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change).

2. Supporting Documents
C-Visa
A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China

D-Visa
The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for permanent residence status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China  
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of D Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

F-Visa
An invitation letter issued by a relevant unit in China . The invitation should contain:
(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc. )
(2) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
(3) Information on the inviting entity (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative)

J1-Visa
Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.
Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete relevant formalities.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of J1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

J2-Visa
Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.
Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete the required formalities.

M-Visa
Invitation letter issued byrelevant entity.The invitation letter should contain:
(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
(2) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity, financial source for expenditures)
(3) Information on the inviting entity (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative)

Q1-Visa
For family reunion, the following documents are required:
1. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:
(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
(2) Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
(3) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)
2. Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit.
3. Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

For foster care, the following documents are required:
(1) Original and photocopy of the natural parents’ or guardians’ passports, as well as the notarized and authenticated certification showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children.
(2) Foster entrusted notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China;
(3) A letter agreeing to foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and photocopy of the ID of the trustee.
(4) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the parent(s) resided abroad when the child was born, providing that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.

We kindly remind you that:
Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

Q2-Visa
1. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain：
(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
(2) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)
(3) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.)
2. Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual

R-Visa
The applicant should submit relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations, and meet the relevant requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high-level talents and individuals with special skills urgently needed by China.

S1-Visa
The following documents are required:
1. An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:
(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
(2) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)
(3) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)
2. A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and residence permit
3. Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual. "Immediate family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law.

For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer.

We kindly remind you that:
Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

S2-Visa
For visiting family members for a short period, the following documents are required:
1. A photocopy of the inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or lives in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit
2. An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:
(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
(2) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)
(3) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)
3. Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual.
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer.

X1-Visa
(1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.
(2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of X1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

X2-Visa
Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.

Z-Visa
One of the following documents:
(1) Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China issued by Chinese government authorities for Human Resources and Social Security, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.
(2) Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.
(3) Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.
(4) An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs or Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Foreign Affairs Office of provincial governments of China .
(5) Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of Z Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

3. Special Notes
(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.
(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials.
(3) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.
(4) Please check the official website for relevant Chinese diplomatic embassies or consulates general if you need further information.