Major Purpose of Visit

Visa Categories

Description of Visa

Exchange,visits,study tours or other relevant activities

F

(F)Academic exchanges,(F)Cultural exchanges (e.g. a non-profit performance),(F)Religious exchanges,(F)NGO activities,(F)Volunteering (90 days or less),(F)Foreign expert with pre-approved letters of invitation(90 days or less),(F)Geographic surveying and mapping activities,etc.

Commercial trade activities

M

(M)Trade,(M)Participation in Competition(s),(M) Other commercial activities

As a tourist

L

(L) Independent tourist,(L)Group member

Family reunion or foster care or visiting relatives with permanent residence in China

Q1

(Q1) Family member of Chinese citizen applying for residence in China for family reunion,(Q1)Family member of foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China who is applying for residence in China for a family reunion,(Q1)Residence visa for child to be fostered in China

Q2

(Q2)Relative of Chinese citizen(s) living in China applying for a visa for visit less than 180 days,(Q2)Relative of foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China applying for a visa for visit less than 180 days

Visiting relatives working or studying in China or other private affairs

S1

(S1)Spouse, parent, child under the age of 18 or parent-in-law of foreigner(s) residing in China for work, study or other purposes who visit China for 180 days or more,(S1)Person who needs to reside in China for other personal matters

“Relatives” refer to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 years and parents-in-law.

S2

(S2)Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes who visit China for less than 180 days,(S2)Applying for a visa to stay in China for other personal matters, such as handling litigation, inheritance, real estate or medical treatment

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

Work

Z

(Z)Foreign expert working in China,(Z)For commercial performance,(Z)Chief representative or representative of a foreign company,(Z)Offshore oil operations,(Z)Volunteering (more than 90 days),(Z) Foreigner working in China with a Work Permit issued by the Chinese government

Transit

G

(G)Transit through China

As a crew member or a motor vehicle driver

C

(C)Crew member performing duties on board an international train,(C)Crew member performing duties on board an international aircraft,(C)Crew member performing duties on board an international vessel or accompanying family member,(C) Vehicle driver engaged in international transportation services

As a student

X1

(X1)Long term study (more than 180 days)

X2

(X2)Short term study (no more than 180 days)

Foreigner of high talent or specialist

R

Foreigner of high talent or specialist needed by the State

As a journalist

J1

(J1)Resident foreign journalist of permanent office of a foreign news agency in China

J2

Permanent Residence

D

(D)Person coming to China to take up permanent residence