Visa information for China

 Be warned: the web pages of the embassy and the consulates are difficult to navigate.

Web pages

Web page of Chinese embassy: www.china-embassy.org
Web page for list of consulates, and states associated with each: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/t84229.htm

This map is important, because it tells you which consulate you must visit, based on your state of residence.  If you go to the wrong one (for example, if you’re a resident of Pennsylvania, and you try to apply for a visa at the embassy, in Washington DC, rather than at the consulate in New York City), your application will be rejected.

Visa descriptions

Overview of visa descriptions: www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84248.htm

Highlights of visa types

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

l            X visa: “Issued to an alien who comes to China for study, advanced studies or internship for a period of more than six months.”

Apparently, F and X visas are mutually exclusive. According to web page

www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84243.htm, a person studying in China less than six months MUST apply for the F, rather than the X visa.

l            L visa is for tourists

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

If you read the descriptions, you will find areas of potential (and confusing) overlap. For example, the web pages are unclear about the employee of a company who will be in China for less than six months.  Based on the descriptions, that person might be able to apply either for an F visa or a Z visa.

In-person application

Applications for visa must be done “in person.”  That is, you yourself must apply, or else someone you authorize must go.  That authorized person can be a special visa service, or it can be a travel agent.  If you are a parent, you may apply on behalf of your children.  In the past, one could apply for a visa by mail, but that practice has been discontinued. 

Do not be confused.  You may see references to “applications by mail,” but such applications are for special types of travel documents, apparently other than visas.  For example, the New York consulate web page mentions “1) Travel documents for children of Chinese citizens and born in the U.S.; 2) Living Certificate; 3) Authentications.” www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng/lsqz/yjsqbz/t42215.htm#1 Note: this information is from the New York consulate, but theoretically the policy should apply for all consulates.

Business hours and other matters

Be aware that consulates may have short business hours.  For example, the New York consulate office is open from 9 am until noon, then 1 pm until 2:30 pm.  A few years ago, I arrived at 3, found the consulate closed, and so had to return the next day for my visa.  Don’t inconvenience yourself the same way.  The New York consulate is way over on the West Side, right by 12 Avenue.  If you’re applying for same day service, I recommend you bring something to read or material to work on.  After you apply, find a place to sit and work (there’s a Starbucks about two blocks east of the consulate).

January 19, 2009

Calvin Sun

610-296-3947

csun (at) calvinsun(dot)com