L-visa

Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist

Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record   (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation letter   issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter   should contain:

(1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth,   etc.)

(2) Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s)   to be visited, etc.)

(3) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact   telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal   representative or the inviting individual)

M-visa

Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade   activities

Invitation letter issued by   a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual,   which includes:

(1) Personal information of the invitee: name, gender, date of birth,   passport number, etc.

(2) Information about the invitee’s visit to China: reason for coming to   China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the   inviting unit or inviter, who will pay for the travel, etc.

(3) Inviting party information: inviting party name, address, telephone   number, official seal, legal representative or inviter’s signature, date,   etc. (the information must be included in the text of the invitation letter)

F-visa

Issued to those who intend to travel to China for exchanges, visits,   investigations, etc.

Z-visa

Issued to those who intend to work in China

A valid Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in the PRC

S1-visa

S2-visa

Issued to the spouse, parents, minor children and parents-in-law of the   holder of a Z visa or work-category residence permit

1. Original proof of kinship between the applicant and the inviting   individual (like certification of kinship, certification of marriage,   marriage certificate or birth certificate)

2. An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner   who lives in China for work)

3. The inviting individual’s passport and residence permit

*In addition to these documents, an adult son or daughter or his or her   spouse has to submit an explanatory statement as required by the consular   officer, if he or she apples for a Family Visit (S2) visa.

Q1-visa

Q2-visa

1. Issued to the foreign family member of a Chinese citizen

2. Issued to the foreign family member of a foreigner with Permanent Residence   Card in China

* Family members include: spouse, parents, parents-in-law, children and   their spouses, sibling, grandparents and grandchildren

1. Original proof of kinship between the applicant and the inviting   individual (like marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certification of   kinship issued by the public security bureau, or notarized certification of   kinship)

2. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen   with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China

3. Proof of the inviting individual’s Chinese nationality (like Chinese   ID card or household register) or a foreigner’s passport and his or her   Chinese permanent residence permit

R-visa

Issued to High-level foreign talents

A confirmation Letter for High-level Foreign Talents

*R visa holder’s spouse or minor child may apply for S2 visa by   providing a proof of kinship like marriage certificate and birth certificate

C-visa

Issued to Crew members

A guarantee letter from a foreign carrier or an invitation letter from a   relevant Chinese entity

X1-visa

Issued to those who intend to study in China for more than 180 days.

1.Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or   other entities in China.

2. Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in   China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

X2-visa

Issued to those who intend to study in China for no more than 180 days.

Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other   entities in China.

D-visa

Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. 

The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s   Permanent Residence Status

G

Issued to those who intend to transit  through China. 

An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the   destination country or region.

J1/J2 visa should refer to the   requirements of the competent authority