A Chinese visa is a permit issued to an alien by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. A Chinese visa has single, double or multiple entries. The validity of the visa is the time limit within which the holder may enter into the Chinese territory. The duration of stay is the period when the holder can stay in the Chinese territory from the date of entry within the validity of the visa. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a particular type of visa to an alien according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type.

A. Diplomatic visa: issued to diplomats and consuls of the diplomatic and consular missions, and officials of international organizations accredited to China such as those of the UN; senior foreign officials to pay an official visit to China ; and those considered suitable to hold a diplomatic visa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the relevant Chinese visa authorities. A diplomatic note should be submitted, stating the purpose of visit, the destination and the intended dates of entry and exit.

B. Service visa: issued to staff members of the diplomatic, consular missions and the international organizations accredited to China such as those of the UN.

C. Courtesy visa: issued to former presidents, prime ministers, chairmen of parliaments, chiefs of supreme courts, foreign ministers, ambassadors to China and other senior officials and celebrities.

D. Ordinary visas: consist of eight sub-categories, which are marked with Chinese phonetic letters of D, Z, X, F, L, G, C, J-1 or J-2 respectively.

a. D Visa: issued to an alien who is to reside permanently in China.  A permanent residence confirmation form shall be required for the application of Visa D. 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.

b. Z Visa: issued to an alien who is to take up a post or employment in China, and to his accompanying family members. To apply for a Visa Z, an Employment License of the People's Republic of China for Foreigners (which could be obtained by his employer in China from the provincial or municipal labor authorities), a visa notification letter issued by an authorized organization or company and Physical Examination Record for Foreigners are required. Holder of Z visa should go through the formalities for Residence Permit at the local public security authority within 30 days after entry into China. The period of validity of the residence permit is the holder's duration of stay in China.

c. X Visa: issued to an alien who comes to China for study, training or intern practice for a period of six months or more. To apply for a Visa X, a certificate from the receiving unit or the competent authority concerned is required, i.e., Application Form for Foreign Students to China (JW201 Form or JW202 Form), Admission Notice and Physical Examination Record for Foreigners are required. Holder of X visa should go through the formalities for Residence Permit at the local public security authority within 30 days after entry into China. The period of validity of the residence permit is the holder's duration of stay in China.

d. F Visa: issued to an alien who is invited to China for a business tour, lecture or scientific-technological and cultural exchanges, or a short-term study or an internship for a period less than six months. To apply for a F Visa, an invitation letter from the inviting unit or a visa notification letter from the authorized unit is required.

e. L Visa: issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing, visiting relatives or other personal affairs. Applying for a L visa, hotel reservation, the air, train or ship tickets to the destination country/region after leaving China are usually required. For applicants who come to China to visit relatives, invitation letters from their relatives in China are required

f. G Visa: issued to an alien to transit through China. Applicants are required to show valid visas and on-going tickets to the destination countries/regions.

g. C Visa: issued to foreign train attendants, air crewmembers and seamen operating international services, and to their accompanying family members. To apply for a C visa, relevant documents are required in accordance with bilateral agreements or regulations of the Chinese side.

h. J-1Visa: issued to a foreign resident journalist in China.

i. J-2Visa: issued to a foreign journalist who come to China for a temporary news coverage. Applicants for J-1 and J-2 visas are required to provide a certificate issued by the competent Chinese authorities.