Complete Steps to Obtain a Chinese Visa
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With the adjustment of China’s foreign policy, it has become more convenient than before to purchase products in person in China. However, although some restrictions have been relaxed, people who do not meet the visa exemption requirements still need to pay attention to the process and requirements for applying for a Chinese visa. This article will introduce in detail how to apply for a Chinese visa to ensure that you can successfully travel to China for business or tourism activities.
1. No Visa Required
When planning a trip to China, you first need to carefully check the following special circumstances:
(1) 24 hours direct service
If you directly transit through mainland China by plane, ship or train and the stay does not exceed 24 hours, you do not need to apply for a Chinese visa. However, if you plan to leave the airport for city sightseeing during this time, you may need to apply for a temporary residence permit.
(2) 72-hour transit visa exemption
Citizens of 53 countries who hold valid international travel documents and air tickets and stay at China’s port of entry for no more than 72 hours are exempt from visa application. For a detailed list of countries, please refer to the relevant information:
(Albania/Argentina/Austria/Belgium/Bosnia and Herzegovina/Brazil/Bulgaria/Canada/Chile/Denmark/Estonia/Finland/France/Germany/Greece/Hungary/Iceland/Ireland/Italy/Latvia/Lithuania/Luxembourg/Macedonia/Malta /Mexico/Montenegro/Netherlands/New Zealand/Norway/Poland/Portugal/Qatar//Romania/Russia/Serbia/Singapore/Slovakia/Slovenia/South Korea/Spain/Sweden/Switzerland/South Africa/United Kingdom/United States/Ukraine/Australia/Singapore/ Japan/Burundi/Mauritius/Kiribati/Nauru)
(3) 144-hour transit visa exemption
If you are from one of the above 53 countries, you can stay in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Liaoning for up to 144 hours (6 days) without applying for a visa.
If your situation meets the above visa exemption conditions, congratulations, you can travel to China without applying for a Chinese visa. If you do not meet the above conditions and still want to go to China to purchase products, don’t worry, continue reading below. If you plan to hire a Chinese sourcing agent, you can also ask them to help with invitation letters and visas. In addition, they can also help you arrange everything in China.
2. Business or Tourist Visa Application Process
Step 1. Determine visa type
Before starting the application process, you first need to clarify the purpose of your visit to China and determine the applicable visa type. For wholesale products from Yiwu market, business visa or tourist visa are the most common options.
Step 2: Gather documents required for visa application
To ensure your application goes smoothly, you need to prepare the following documents:
Passport: Provide an original passport that is valid for at least 3 months and has at least 1 blank visa page.
Visa form and photo: Fill in the personal information in the visa application form online, print and sign. Also, prepare a recent photo that meets the requirements.
Proof of Residency: Provide documentation such as a driver’s license, utility bill, or bank statement to prove your legal residence.
Place of Accommodation Form: Download and complete the Place of Accommodation form, making sure the information is true and matches the name on your passport.
Proof of travel arrangements or invitation letter:
For tourist visa: Provide round-trip air ticket booking record and hotel booking proof, or invitation letter and copy of the inviter’s Chinese ID card.
For business visas: Provide a visa invitation letter from your Chinese trading partner, including your personal information, reason for coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit and other details. Ask your partner and they will send you an invitation.
Step 3. Submit application
Submit all the prepared materials to your local Chinese Embassy or Consulate General and make sure to make an appointment in advance. This step is critical to the entire application process, so all documents should be carefully checked for completeness and accuracy.
Step 4: Pay the visa fee and collect your visa
Typically, you can collect your visa within 4 working days of submitting your application. When collecting your visa, you need to pay the corresponding visa application fee. Please note that visa processing times may be reduced in emergencies, so plan your trip in advance. Here are the Chinese visa costs for the US, Canada, UK and Australia:
USA:
Single-entry visa (L visa): USD 140
Multiple entry visa (M visa): USD 140
Long-term multiple entry visa (Q1/Q2 visa): USD 140
Emergency service fee: USD 30
Canada:
Single-entry visa (L visa): 100 Canadian dollars
Multiple entry visa (M visa): CAD 150
Long-term multiple entry visa (Q1/Q2 visa): CAD$150
Emergency service fee: $30 CAD
U.K:
Single entry visa (L visa): £151
Multiple entry visa (M visa): £151
Long-term multiple entry visa (Q1/Q2 visa): £151
Emergency service fee: £27.50
Australia:
Single entry visa (L visa): AUD 109
Multiple entry visa (M visa): AUD 109
Long-term multiple entry visa (Q1/Q2 visa): AUD 109
Emergency service fee: AUD 28
As an experienced Yiwu sourcing agent, we have provided many customers with the best one-stop export services, including sending invitation letters, arranging visas and accommodation, etc. If you have needs, you can contact us!
3. Some Suggestions and Answers about China Visa Application
Q1. Are there emergency services for applying for a Chinese visa?
Yes, visa offices often offer emergency services, but processing times and fees may vary.
Q2. Can I change a submitted visa application?
Once an application is submitted, it generally cannot be modified. It is recommended to carefully check all information before submitting.
Q3. Can I apply for a visa in advance?
Yes, you can apply for a visa in advance, but you need to make sure it is used within the validity period.
Q4. How to process visa application in an emergency?
In the event of an emergency, ask the visa office if they offer expedited services to ensure that all necessary documents are prepared in advance to expedite your application. Consider the help of a professional visa agent and also use the visa office’s online tracking system to track the status of your application. If the situation is particularly urgent, you can also directly contact the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad to obtain detailed information on emergency visa processing, and they may provide additional support.
Q5. Does the visa application fee include service fees and taxes?
Visa fees usually do not include service fees and taxes, which may vary by service center and nationality.
Q6. Can I know the reasons for rejection of my visa application in advance?
Yes, you can consult the visa office about the reasons for rejection to better prepare your next application.
Common reasons for application rejection include:
Incomplete application materials: If the application materials you submit are incomplete or the forms are not filled in as required, your visa may be rejected.
Unable to prove financial resources and sufficient funds: If you are unable to provide sufficient proof of finances or have insufficient funds to support your stay in China, your visa application may be rejected.
Unclear purpose of travel: If the purpose of your trip is unclear or does not meet the visa type, the visa officer may be worried about your true intentions and deny the visa.
Not in compliance with China’s visa exemption policy: If your nationality is in compliance with China’s visa exemption policy but you still choose to apply for a visa, it may result in visa rejection.
Poor entry-exit record: If you have had entry-exit problems such as illegal records, overstays or overstays, it may affect the outcome of your visa application.
False information or misleading: Providing false information or deliberately misleading the visa officer may result in the application being rejected.
Security and legal issues: If you have security or legal issues, such as being on the Interpol list, this may result in a visa denial.
No appropriate invitation letter: Especially in business visa applications, if the invitation letter is unclear, incomplete or does not meet the requirements, it may result in a visa rejection.
Q7. How long before the end of the period of stay in China should I apply for an extension of stay?
It is recommended to apply for an extension to the local public security agency as early as possible before the end of the stay period to ensure timely processing.
Q8. Do I need to provide specific dates for the itinerary?
Yes, the visa application may require specific itinerary arrangements, including round-trip air ticket booking records, proof of hotel reservations, and specific plans for your stay in China. Providing an itinerary with specific dates will help the visa officer better understand the purpose and plans of your visit to ensure the legality and compliance of the visa.
END
Through this article, you learned about the key steps to apply for a Chinese visa, including determining the visa type, gathering required documents, submitting the application, paying the visa fee, and collecting the visa. Along the way, answers to frequently asked questions are provided to help you better understand and successfully complete your visa application. Whether you are a wholesaler, retailer or otherwise, we are happy to serve you! Welcome to contact us!