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CHINA VISA TYPES


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This is a comprehensive guide to Mainland China's visa types, updated for 2025.

Critical First Step: Do You Even Need a Visa?

Before applying, check if you are exempt. China has aggressively expanded its visa-free policies in late 2024 and 2025.


  • 15-Day or 30-Day Visa-Free: Citizens of many countries (including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and others) can now enter China for business, tourism, or visiting relatives for up to 15 or 30 days (depending on the specific agreement) without applying for any visa.


  • 144-Hour (6-Day) Visa-Free Transit: If you are from one of 54+ eligible countries (including USA, UK, EU, Canada) and are transiting through China to a third country/region (e.g., USA -> Shanghai -> Japan), you can enter for 144 hours without a visa.


    • Note: You must stay within the specific region (e.g., Shanghai/Jiangsu/Zhejiang area) and have a confirmed connecting ticket.


1. The "Big Four" Visa Types (Most Common)

L Visa (Tourism)

  • For: Sightseeing, touring, or visiting friends who are not family members.

  • Validity: Usually 30 to 60 days per entry. Can be Single, Double, or Multiple entry (10-year L visas are common for US/Canadian citizens).

  • Key Requirement: Flight tickets and hotel bookings OR an invitation letter from a travel agency/individual in China.


M Visa (Business)

  • For: Commercial trade activities (meetings, trade fairs, client visits). You cannot be employed or paid by a Chinese company.


  • Validity: Typically 60 or 90 days per entry.

  • Key Requirement: A Commercial Invitation Letter from a Chinese business partner. This letter is crucial and must have the official red company stamp.


Z Visa (Work)

  • For: Anyone intending to work for a Chinese employer.

  • Process:

    1. Chinese employer gets a "Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit."

    2. You apply for the Z Visa at the consulate.

    3. Crucial: The Z visa is only valid for entry (usually 30 days). Once you arrive in China, you must convert it into a Residence Permit within 30 days.

  • Digital Nomads: China does not have a specific Digital Nomad visa yet. Most nomads use an L or M visa, but strictly speaking, working remotely on these is a grey area.

X Visa (Student)

  • X1 (Long-term): For studies >180 days (e.g., University degrees). Like the Z visa, you must convert this into a Residence Permit after arrival.


  • X2 (Short-term): For studies <180 days (e.g., a semester exchange or language course). No Residence Permit needed; the visa itself is sufficient.

  • Key Requirement: JW201 or JW202 form (issued by the school/ministry).


2. Family & Private Visit Visas (The Confusing Q vs. S)

People often mix these up. The difference lies in who you are visiting.

Q Series (Visiting Chinese Citizens)

  • Who it's for: Visiting family members who are Chinese citizens or Foreigners with Permanent Residency (Green Card).


  • Q1 (Long-term): For family reunion (>180 days). Must be converted to a Residence Permit.


  • Q2 (Short-term): For visiting relatives (<180 days). No Residence Permit needed.

S Series (Visiting Foreigners)

  • Who it's for: Visiting family members who are Foreigners working/studying in China (e.g., your spouse has a Z visa).


  • S1 (Long-term): "Trailing spouse/child." Intended for those moving to China to live with the worker. Must be converted to a Residence Permit.


  • S2 (Short-term): For visiting family members for a short stay (<180 days).


3. Specialized & New Visas (2025 Updates)

K Visa (High-Tech Talent - NEW)

  • Launched: Introduced/Piloted around late 2024/2025.

  • For: Young professionals and talent in Science, Technology, and Innovation.


  • Benefit: Often does not require a specific employer sponsor initially; designed to attract top-tier global talent to look for opportunities.


R Visa (High-Level Talent)

  • For: "Tier A" talent—Nobel prize winners, senior executives, top scientists.

  • Benefits: 5 or 10-year validity, multiple entry, stays up to 180 days, and crucially: fast-track processing and no visa fees.

C Visa (Crew)

  • For: Flight attendants, pilots, and ship crew members.


J Visa (Journalist)

  • J1: Resident foreign journalists (posted in China >180 days).


  • J2: Foreign journalists on short-term assignments (<180 days).


  • Note: Requires heavy documentation and approval from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

D Visa (Permanent Residence)

  • The "Chinese Green Card". Very difficult to obtain. Usually requires 4+ years of high-level employment in China, significant direct investment, or marriage to a Chinese citizen for 5+ years. Countries that do not need a tourist visa to visit China: 🇪🇺 Europe (Most EU/Schengen nations)

    • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic*, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Serbia Sweden (Added Nov 2025), Switzerland. (Note: Most sources list the "Schengen+" block. Check specifically for UK/Canada/USA—they are NOT on this list).

    🌏 Asia & Pacific

    • Georgia (Mutual visa-free)

    • Japan (Reinstated late 2024)

    • South Korea

    • Malaysia

    • Singapore (Mutual visa-free)

    • Thailand (Mutual visa-free)

    • Brunei

    • Australia

    • New Zealand

    • Kazakhstan (Mutual visa-free)

    • Maldives

    🌎 Americas (New for 2025)

    • Argentina

    • Brazil

    • Chile

    • Peru

    • Uruguay

    • Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada

    🌍 Middle East & Others

    • United Arab Emirates (UAE)

    • Qatar

    • Saudi Arabia

    • Kuwait

    • Oman

    • Bahrain

    • Russia (Added Sept 2025)

    • Mauritius (60 Days)


 
 
 

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