Business Visa Application Requirements for a China Visa
Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
- Have at least one blank visa page (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- If requesting multiple entries, the passport must contain at least two blank facing visa pages, there can be no stamps or amendment endorsement type on the pages
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact AmericanPassport.com at 800-455-5166 for further details.
Photographs
You must provide one color, passport-type photograph. The photograph must:
- Be printed on photo paper
- Be two inches by two inches
- Have a white background
- Have been taken within the last six months
- Must be taped onto application. Only two sides of the photo should be taped on the edges
Business Introduction Letter
A letter of introduction from your US-based company is required. Your completed introduction letter must:
- Be printed on your company’s official letterhead
- Display your full name, nationality, and job title
- Display your company’s US address
- Specify the exact purpose of your trip
- Specify the number of entries requested and the length of each stay
- Include your specific entry and exit dates
- Include the validity of your requested visa
- Be signed by your supervisor or your company’s Human Resources department
Invitation Letter
You must obtain a letter of invitation. The governmental agency or company to be visited in China is responsible for providing the invitation. A copy is acceptable. The Consulate may require the original invitation if they deem it necessary. The invitation must include:
- Name, gender, date of birth of the visa applicant
- Purpose of visit
- Dates of arrival and departure
- Specific names of the cities to be visited
- Name of the financially responsible party for the applicant's lodging expenses
- Department/Unit name, the direct phone number and extension, fax and cell number and address of the individual signing the letter. The Consulate will be making random phone calls to verify that this information is correct
- Seal and signature of the legal representative
If your invitation is from a non-governmental sponsor, your invitation letter must include your job title/occupation, passport number, issue and expiration date. The invite must also clearly state the relationship between the US company and company being visited in China.
AmericanPassport.com Order Form
You must provide one completed AmericanPassport.com Order Form. The form must:
- Include a valid email address and payment information, if applicable
- Include your signature in blue or black ink
Visa Application Form
The Consulate of China requires a single-sided printed visa application. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. Two options exist for completing this form:
- AmericanPassport.com strongly recommends our tool to save preparation time and ensure an error-free visa application form. Follow this link to get started: http://americanpassport.com/china-form. Remember to save this form to your computer and keep it for your records. Then include a print out of the form with the rest of your documents
- It is possible, but not recommended, to complete the Visa Application without using our tool. Follow the guide in our kit to complete the fillable forms. Follow the instructions exactly to avoid making mistakes that increase processing times.
Chinese Born Citizens
If you were born in China:
- You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.3 on the visa application form
- If you have been previously issued a China visa in your current or expired passport you must submit a copy of that visa
- If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original Chinese passport and birth certificate showing your name in Chinese characters
- If you are a minor who was adopted from China you must also include your original adoption papers and a copy of them as well
- If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization papers and U.S. birth certificate.
Hong Kong or Macau Travel
Visiting Hong Kong or Macau is considered leaving China. You must obtain a multiple entry visa if you leave Mainland China to visit Hong Kong and Macau with the intention to re-enter the mainland before finally departing from China.
Multiple Entry Visa Applicants
If you are applying for a multiple entry visa, you must provide copies of previous China visas in your current or old passport and a copy of the personal information page of the passport/s containing the previous visas.
Expedited Processing
The Chinese Embassy requires you to submit a travel itinerary if you choose to expedite your visa. Your itinerary must show proof of direct departure to mainland China within 3 business days if you choose "2-3" day processing on your China visa application.
Urgent Applications
For urgent visa applications which carry a tight deadline, we offer a Pre-Check service to save applicants valuable time. Once you have collected the required documents for your visa application and completed the visa application form, simply scan these items and email them over to our team. One of our experienced Visa Consultants will check the documents and contact you to advise of any potential problems within 3 hours of receipt of the email, preventing unnecessary delays to your application. For more information on this service visit http://americanpassport.com/visa-pre-check-service.php
Tourist Application Requirements for a China Visa
Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
- Have at least one blank visa page (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- If requesting multiple entries, the passport must contain at least two blank facing visa pages, there can be no stamps or amendment endorsement type on the pages
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact AmericanPassport.com at 800-455-5166 for further details.
Photographs
You must provide one color, passport-type photograph. The photograph must:
- Be printed on photo paper
- Be two inches by two inches
- Have a white background
- Have been taken within the last six months
- Must be taped onto application. Only two sides of the photo should be taped on the edges
Invitation Letter
To fulfill the Tourist visa invite requirement, you must select one of the following options:
- A copy of your round trip airline ticket and hotel reservation, or
- A copy of your computer generated tour itinerary displaying your personal data as well as confirmed and paid flight and hotel information, or
- A copy of an official letter of invitation from a governmental agency or individual sponsor. If you obtain a letter of invitation from an individual sponsor in China, the invitation must include the following:
- Your name, gender, date of birth
- Purpose of applicant's visit
- Date of arrival and departure
- Places to visit, specific names of cities required
- Details of your flight itinerary and hotel reservation
- State who will bear the cost of the applicant's lodging while in China
- Information on the sponsor: name of the unit, phone number, address, copy of sponsor's passport or ID
If your invitation is from a non-governmental sponsor your letter must include your job title/occupation, passport number with issue and expiration date. The relationship of the applicant and sponsor must also be stated.
The invitation may be a copy, fax, or printout but the Consular office may request the original.AmericanPassport.com Order Form
You must provide one completed AmericanPassport.com Order Form. The form must:
- Include a valid email address and payment information, if applicable
- Include your signature in blue or black ink
Visa Application Form
The Consulate of China requires a single-sided printed visa application. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. Two options exist for completing this form:
- AmericanPassport.com strongly recommends our tool to save preparation time and ensure an error-free visa application form. Follow this link to get started: http://americanpassport.com/china-form. Remember to save this form to your computer and keep it for your records. Then include a print out of the form with the rest of your documents
- It is possible, but not recommended, to complete the Visa Application without using our tool. Follow the guide in our kit to complete the fillable forms. Follow the instructions exactly to avoid making mistakes that increase processing times.
Chinese Born Citizens
If you were born in China:
- You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.3 on the visa application form
- If you have been previously issued a China visa in your current or expired passport you must submit a copy of that visa
- If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original Chinese passport and birth certificate showing your name in Chinese characters
- If you are a minor who was adopted from China you must also include your original adoption papers and a copy of them as well
- If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization papers and U.S. birth certificate.
Hong Kong or Macau Travel
Visiting Hong Kong or Macau is considered leaving China. You must obtain a multiple entry visa if you leave Mainland China to visit Hong Kong and Macau with the intention to re-enter the mainland before finally departing from China.
Expedited Processing
The Chinese Embassy requires you to submit a travel itinerary if you choose to expedite your visa. Your itinerary must show proof of direct departure to mainland China within 3 business days if you choose "2-3" day processing on your China visa application.
Children Under 18 Years Old
All minors traveling to China must provide a copy of their birth certificate in addition to the other visa requirements specified in these instructions. Other conditions apply:
- The parents of the minor must provide a copy of each parent’s US Passport
- If the parents are not U.S. citizens, they must provide a copy of their U.S. Status
- If the parents are not accompanying the minor on the trip, both parents must provide a notarized authorization letter that states the child has permission to travel
- On page 4 of the application, both parents must complete and sign sections 6 and 7. Above the signature at section 6 the parents must write the minor’s name as it appears on the passport.
Urgent Applications
For urgent visa applications which carry a tight deadline, we offer a Pre-Check service to save applicants valuable time. Once you have collected the required documents for your visa application and completed the visa application form, simply scan these items and email them over to our team. One of our experienced Visa Consultants will check the documents and contact you to advise of any potential problems within 3 hours of receipt of the email, preventing unnecessary delays to your application. For more information on this service visit http://americanpassport.com/visa-pre-check-service.php
Cruise Passengers
Cruise ship passengers: You must list the city where your ship docks in China in the Chinese address section of the application form.
