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A Brief Introduction to Chinese Visas

How to apply for a visa

Tourist visa

Business visa

Working visa

Student visa

Transit visa

Multi visa

Apply by mail

Pay the fee

Tips

A Brief Introduction to Chinese Visas

Chinese visas are classified into Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa. The Ordinary Visa consists of several sub-categories, which are respectively marked with letters F, G, L, Z, X and so on.

L Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing, family visiting or other private purposes.

F Visa: Issued to an alien who is invited to China for a visit, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.

Z Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to China for a post or employment, and his or her accompanying family members.

X Visa:  Issued to an alien who comes to China for study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of more than six months.

G Visa: Issued to an alien who transits through China.

How to apply for a visa

You may submit the application to the Consulate;
If you cannot come in person, you may entrust someone else or a travel agent to drop off your application at our visa office, or you may send your application by mail (see “A Quick Guide to Application by Mail”).
No appointment is required.
To apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa), you shall provide the following documents:

(1) One duly completed and signed Visa Application Form with a passport photograph attached;

(2) Your valid passport with at least 6-month validity and at least 2 blank visa pages.

(3) An applicant born in China who applies for a Chinese visa with a new foreign passport is required to submit his/her Chinese passport or last foreign passport with a Chinese visa.

(4) Japanese, Singapore and Brunei passport holders are exempted from visa provided they are going to China as tourists and stay for less than 15 days.

To apply for a multiple L visa

If you are a regular visitor to China for visiting relatives, please consult the visa officer for the documents you should provide for your multiple entry visa.

To apply for a Business Visa (F Visa), you should provide the following documents:

(1) One completed Visa Application Form with a passport photograph attached;

(2) Your passport with at least 6-month validity and at least 2 blank visa pages;

(3) One of the following documents (original or photocopy):

a. Invitation letter from the competent office of the Chinese government.

b. Invitation letter from the host company in China.

c. Reference letter from the sending company in Australia.

d. Other documents that may help the visa application.

To apply for a multiple F visa

If you are a regular visitor to China for doing business, please consult the visa officer for the documents you should provide for your multiple entry visa.

 

To apply for an Employment Visa (Z Visa), you should provide the following documents:

(1) One completed Visa Application Form with a passport photograph attached;

(2) Your passport with at least 6-month validity and at least 2 blank visa pages;

(3) Employment Permit for Aliens (the original one and a photocopy are needed) issued by the Chinese Labor Ministry or by the Chinese Foreign Expert Bureau, and "Visa Notification" letter (the original one and a photocopy are needed) issued by the competent office of the Chinese government.

(4) Physical Examination Record for Foreigners completed by local public hospital.

 Please note: Z Visa is valid for one entry, three months. The holder of a Z Visa shall  apply for residence permit in the local Public Security Office within 30 days after arriving China. If needed, the holder may also apply for a multiple re-entry visa in the same Public Security Office.

Please ask for the return of the original Employment Permit and the "Visa Notification"　  letter after presenting to the consul. The original ones are needed when you go through procedures inside China.

 

To apply for a Student Visa (X Visa), you should provide the following documents:

(1) One completed Visa Application Form with a passport photograph attached;

(2) Your passport with at least 6-month validity and at least 2 blank visa pages;

(3) Original JW201or JW202 Form (the original one and a photocopy are needed) and admission letter from the school.

(4)Physical Examination Record For Foreigners completed by local public hospital( in case to stay in China for more than 6 months).

If your study in China lasts not more than 6 months, a Business Visa (F Visa) will be issued instead of an X visa. With F type visa you do not need to apply for the residence permit in China.

Please note:　Your college (or school) in China should send the JW201or JW202 Form and admission letter to you in order to support your application of visa.

The Student Visa (X Visa) is valid for　one entry，3 months. The holder of a Z Visa  should apply for residence permit in the local Public Security Office within 30 days after arriving China. If needed, the holder may also apply for a re-entry visa in the same Public Security Office.

After presenting the original JW201or JW202 Form to the consul, please ask for the return of it and leave the photocopy to the consul together with the application. The original one is needed when you go through procedures inside China.

 

To apply for a Transit Visa (G Visa), you should provide the following documents:

(1) One completed Visa Application Form with a passport photograph attached;

(2) Your passport with at least 6-month validity and at least 2 blank visa pages;

(3) Visa of the destination country.

(4) You do not need a Transit Visa (G Visa) if your transit in China is less than 24 hours and during which time you will stay within the airport.

(5) if you transit via SHANGHAI and stay for less than 48 hours (going out of the airport is allowed), you do not need a visa when holding passport of the following country:

Australian, New Zealand, American, Canadian, South Korean, German, French, Dutch, Luxemburg, Belgian, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Austrian, Greek, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish.

Visa Validity and Duration of Stay

 Usually the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry "L" visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of lodging. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of lodging, otherwise the visa will be expired and is null and void. So please make sure you are going to use it before it expires.

Normally the duration of stay of a "L" visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. If your estimated stay in China is longer than 30 days, please make it clear in the application form and ask for the Visa Officer's approval when you submit your application.

Mailing service

Mailing service is available for lodging application and collection. You are kindly requested to provide with a return envelop duly self-addressed and stamped. An additional 10 Australian dollars are charged. The postal address is VISA OFFICE, CHINESE CONSULATE GENERAL, PO BOX 6831,EAST PERTH,WA 6892.

Pay the fees

Payment is made on collection. You may pay by credit card, bank card, bank cheque, company cheque, or money order. In case of cheque, the "payee" should be CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN PERTH.

Cash and personal cheque are not acceptable.

Please note:

(1) Please apply for the visa only 1 to 2 months before your planned date to enter China.

(2) Please fill in every column of the Visa Application Form, using "N/A" if not applicable.

(3) Please sign your name on the application form, no other person can sign your name for you.

(4) If you need to keep any documents for reference, please make copy beforehand. No supporting documents will be returned once lodged with the application.

(5) The “PICK UP FORM” you get when you lodge the application is the only proof for collection; when lost, only the passport holder himself with proper photo ID can retrieve his passport.

(6) Change of application details is not possible after lodging.

(7) The Working Visa (Z Visa) or Student Visa (X Visa) is valid for 3 months. Bearer of the visa should enter China before the expiring date, and apply for residence permit to the local Public Security Office within 30 days after arriving China. If need be, the bearer may also apply for a re-entry visa to the same Public Security Office.