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Before Leaving
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Before Leaving
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Before Leaving
Visa
Visas
As a foreign citizen, you should have applied for and obtained an appropriate visa before entering China unless you are visa-exempt according to certain agreements and regulations. You are advised to ensure that your visa is valid before Iraveling. If your visa has expired or the visa has an insufficient number of entries, you will need to apply for a new visa. Depending on your purpose for visiting China, there are different types of visas.
Tourist Visa (L)
A China tourist visa is normally valid for three months from the date of issue. A single entry tourist visa allows travelers to stay for a duration of 30 days in most parts of China, U.S. citizens may get a multiple-entry tourist visa that is valid for 10 years. The allowed duration of each stay ranges from 30 days to 90 days and is determined by consular officers on the basis of your travel itinerary. It's recommended to apply for a tourist visa six weeks ahead of your planned visit.
If you book a tour through a travel agency, you can ask for an invitation letter from the agency, which will be very helpful in the visa application process. The invitation letter should contain：
A. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
B. lnformation on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
C. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)
If you are traveling independently, round-lrip tickets and hotel reservations are required for a tourist visa application, Submit supporting documents as detailed as you can to justify your travel itinerary. To increase your chance for visa approval, the hotel bookings should cover the whole length of your stay in China and be consistent with the dates of arrival and departure shown on your flight tickets.
这里插入下一行内容
A China tourist visa is normally valid for three months from the date of issue. A single entry tourist visa allows travelers to stay for a duration of 30 days in most parts of China, U.S. citizens may get a multiple-entry tourist visa that is valid for 10 years. The allowed duration of each stay ranges from 30 days to 90 days and is determined by consular officers on the basis of your travel itinerary. It's recommended to apply for a tourist visa six weeks ahead of your planned visit.
If you book a tour through a travel agency, you can ask for an invitation letter from the agency, which will be very helpful in the visa application process. The invitation letter should contain：
A. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
B. lnformation on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
C. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)
If you are traveling independently, round-lrip tickets and hotel reservations are required for a tourist visa application, Submit supporting documents as detailed as you can to justify your travel itinerary. To increase your chance for visa approval, the hotel bookings should cover the whole length of your stay in China and be consistent with the dates of arrival and departure shown on your flight tickets.
这里插入下一行内容
Work Visa (Z)
In April 2017, China streamlined its Foreign Work Permit process to attract more talents from overseas. The classification system considers the candidate1 s education, salary, age, time spent working in China and Chinese language skills. The entire process used to take around three months, but now that the country has moved to a three-tier system, it can be completed in as little as one month for tier-A candidates.
Tier A includes highly qualified professionals in senior management positions who are either internationally recognized, top in their field or successful entrepreneurs. They qualify for paperless application processing, which can reduce the duration by as much as five business days, and are not subject to market demand restrictions.
Tier B comprises professionals with bachelor' s degrees or higher and at least two years' relevant work experience. These talents still must submit all required documents in original paper form and may have shorter permit validity periods compared to their tier-A counterparts.
Tier C is for unskilled, non-technical or service workers hired on a temporary or seasonal basis.
You can get a clearer idea of where you might rank in the new system here: https://www.china- briefing.com/news/china-work-permit-calculator-find-your-tier/.
The process is still completed in two phases: before coming to China and after arriving in China. First you must obtain a Z visa. Your Z visa allows you to enter China for 30 days, during which time you must complete the final steps to obtain a residence permit. Please see the arrival checklist on page 41 for more details.
To apply for a Chinese Z visa you will first need to obtain a work permit through the Chinese company that is hiring you. Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining and blank visa pages. Your employer will need, at a minimum, the documents listed below in order to apply for the work permit. Some companies may ask for additional supplemental materials.
A copy of your passport information page and any pages with previous Chinese visas Non-criminal background check report
Visa format resume
Medical check report
Completed Chinese work visa application
Recent passport photo
This process can take up to 10 working days. When you receive the invite letter from your employer you can submit the application for the Z visa by bringing an envelope containing the documents below to the Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) in your country.
The original Foreigners Work Permit sent by your Chinese employer
A passport with at least six months of validity remaining
A completed visa application form (V.2013)
Recent passport photo
The normal processing time is four working days, including the day you submit the application and the day you collect your passport. Remember to factor in Chinese public holidays as additional non working days. Please refer to page 13 for a list of Chinese Public Holidays.
Remember that overstaying your visa will result in a fine of up to 10,000 RMB and administrative detention.
Address and contact details of the application center for a foreigner' s work permit:
Administrative Services East Hall, Zone B, Civic Center, Fuzhong 3rd Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
Application counters: No. 29-31
Telephone inquiry: 0755-8812 1678
To apply for People's Republic of China Exit and Entry Permit, please book an appointment via the public account of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau.
Work@755 provides a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a work visa application, don' t forget to check it out!
Business Visa (M)
The M Visa is suitable for foreigners who make frequent work-related visits to China but spend less than six months in a given year in the country and are not employed or paid by an entity incorporated in China. The visa is issued for a period ranging from one month to one year. This can be extended under certain conditions. Single-entry, double-entry and multiple-enlry visas are available. Applicants from the U.S. and Canada may obtain M Visas valid for up to 10 years.
The documentation required to apply for an M Visa:
Passport, along with a photocopy of the name page
Completed visa application form
One recent passport photo
Invitation letter from Chinese business based in China
Learn more 
Family Visa (S1)
If you have family members who will be moving to China with you, they should apply for a Private Visit (S1) Visa, They will need an invitation letter from you, a photocopy of your passport information and residence permit pages and proof of relation, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate or other notarized document certifying kinship, along with a completed S Visa application form (V,2013) with a recent passport photo.
Note:
If you plan to renew your contract with the same company, it can arrange to extend your residency. Make sure to decide if you are going to stay well before your current contract expires so that your residence permit can be sorted out, in order to avoid having to make an unnecessary trip to your home country to repeat the entire process.
It is illegal to work in China while visiting on a tourist (L) visa, If someone promises to hire you when you arrive in the country on such a visa, they are most likely ineligible to apply for the work permit necessary to obtain a visa for an employee and are trying to circumvent the law in order to take advantage of foreign talents.
Learn more
Visa
Visas
As a foreign citizen, you should have applied for and obtained an appropriate visa before entering China unless you are visa-exempt according to certain agreements and regulations. You are advised to ensure that your visa is valid before Iraveling. If your visa has expired or the visa has an insufficient number of entries, you will need to apply for a new visa. Depending on your purpose for visiting China, there are different types of visas.
Tourist Visa (L)
A China tourist visa is normally valid for three months from the date of issue. A single entry tourist visa allows travelers to stay for a duration of 30 days in most parts of China, U.S. citizens may get a multiple-entry tourist visa that is valid for 10 years. The allowed duration of each stay ranges from 30 days to 90 days and is determined by consular officers on the basis of your travel itinerary. It's recommended to apply for a tourist visa six weeks ahead of your planned visit.
If you book a tour through a travel agency, you can ask for an invitation letter from the agency, which will be very helpful in the visa application process. The invitation letter should contain：
A. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
B. lnformation on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
C. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)
If you are traveling independently, round-lrip tickets and hotel reservations are required for a tourist visa application, Submit supporting documents as detailed as you can to justify your travel itinerary. To increase your chance for visa approval, the hotel bookings should cover the whole length of your stay in China and be consistent with the dates of arrival and departure shown on your flight tickets.
这里插入下一行内容
A China tourist visa is normally valid for three months from the date of issue. A single entry tourist visa allows travelers to stay for a duration of 30 days in most parts of China, U.S. citizens may get a multiple-entry tourist visa that is valid for 10 years. The allowed duration of each stay ranges from 30 days to 90 days and is determined by consular officers on the basis of your travel itinerary. It's recommended to apply for a tourist visa six weeks ahead of your planned visit.
If you book a tour through a travel agency, you can ask for an invitation letter from the agency, which will be very helpful in the visa application process. The invitation letter should contain：
A. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
B. lnformation on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
C. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)
If you are traveling independently, round-lrip tickets and hotel reservations are required for a tourist visa application, Submit supporting documents as detailed as you can to justify your travel itinerary. To increase your chance for visa approval, the hotel bookings should cover the whole length of your stay in China and be consistent with the dates of arrival and departure shown on your flight tickets.
这里插入下一行内容
Work Visa (Z)
In April 2017, China streamlined its Foreign Work Permit process to attract more talents from overseas. The classification system considers the candidate1 s education, salary, age, time spent working in China and Chinese language skills. The entire process used to take around three months, but now that the country has moved to a three-tier system, it can be completed in as little as one month for tier-A candidates.
Tier A includes highly qualified professionals in senior management positions who are either internationally recognized, top in their field or successful entrepreneurs. They qualify for paperless application processing, which can reduce the duration by as much as five business days, and are not subject to market demand restrictions.
Tier B comprises professionals with bachelor' s degrees or higher and at least two years' relevant work experience. These talents still must submit all required documents in original paper form and may have shorter permit validity periods compared to their tier-A counterparts.
Tier C is for unskilled, non-technical or service workers hired on a temporary or seasonal basis.
You can get a clearer idea of where you might rank in the new system here: https://www.china- briefing.com/news/china-work-permit-calculator-find-your-tier/.
The process is still completed in two phases: before coming to China and after arriving in China. First you must obtain a Z visa. Your Z visa allows you to enter China for 30 days, during which time you must complete the final steps to obtain a residence permit. Please see the arrival checklist on page 41 for more details.
To apply for a Chinese Z visa you will first need to obtain a work permit through the Chinese company that is hiring you. Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining and blank visa pages. Your employer will need, at a minimum, the documents listed below in order to apply for the work permit. Some companies may ask for additional supplemental materials.
A copy of your passport information page and any pages with previous Chinese visas Non-criminal background check report
Visa format resume
Medical check report
Completed Chinese work visa application
Recent passport photo
This process can take up to 10 working days. When you receive the invite letter from your employer you can submit the application for the Z visa by bringing an envelope containing the documents below to the Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) in your country.
The original Foreigners Work Permit sent by your Chinese employer
A passport with at least six months of validity remaining
A completed visa application form (V.2013)
Recent passport photo
The normal processing time is four working days, including the day you submit the application and the day you collect your passport. Remember to factor in Chinese public holidays as additional non working days. Please refer to page 13 for a list of Chinese Public Holidays.
Remember that overstaying your visa will result in a fine of up to 10,000 RMB and administrative detention.
Address and contact details of the application center for a foreigner' s work permit:
Administrative Services East Hall, Zone B, Civic Center, Fuzhong 3rd Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
Application counters: No. 29-31
Telephone inquiry: 0755-8812 1678
To apply for People's Republic of China Exit and Entry Permit, please book an appointment via the public account of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau.
Work@755 provides a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a work visa application, don' t forget to check it out!
Business Visa (M)
The M Visa is suitable for foreigners who make frequent work-related visits to China but spend less than six months in a given year in the country and are not employed or paid by an entity incorporated in China. The visa is issued for a period ranging from one month to one year. This can be extended under certain conditions. Single-entry, double-entry and multiple-enlry visas are available. Applicants from the U.S. and Canada may obtain M Visas valid for up to 10 years.
The documentation required to apply for an M Visa:
Passport, along with a photocopy of the name page
Completed visa application form
One recent passport photo
Invitation letter from Chinese business based in China
Learn more
Family Visa (S1)
If you have family members who will be moving to China with you, they should apply for a Private Visit (S1) Visa, They will need an invitation letter from you, a photocopy of your passport information and residence permit pages and proof of relation, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate or other notarized document certifying kinship, along with a completed S Visa application form (V,2013) with a recent passport photo.
Note:
If you plan to renew your contract with the same company, it can arrange to extend your residency. Make sure to decide if you are going to stay well before your current contract expires so that your residence permit can be sorted out, in order to avoid having to make an unnecessary trip to your home country to repeat the entire process.
It is illegal to work in China while visiting on a tourist (L) visa, If someone promises to hire you when you arrive in the country on such a visa, they are most likely ineligible to apply for the work permit necessary to obtain a visa for an employee and are trying to circumvent the law in order to take advantage of foreign talents.
Learn more
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