China Visa Services & Processing

Please note visa validity begins the day the visa is issued for all visas. The China consulate does not accept mail in applications, you either need to appear in person at the consulate, or have Swift Passport appear at the consulate on your behalf.

China Tourist Visa (L Visa)

Issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing, family visiting or other private purposes.

China Business Visa (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.

China Crew Visa (C Visa)

Issued to crewmembers to perform duties on board an international train, airliner or other vessel, and their accompanying family members. The Chinese Consulate only issues a two year multiple entry "C" type visa to crew members of large commercial airlines such as United/Continental, American, FedEx, UPS, Polar Air Cargo and Delta. Crew members of other airlines may be issued a 6 months single/double entry Chinese crew visa or a 6 months/1 year multiple entry Chinese crew visa at the discretion of the Chinese Consulate.

China Student Visa (X Visa)

Issued to an alien who comes to China for study, advanced studies or internship for a period of more than six months.

China Employment Visa (Z Visa)

Issued to an alien who comes to China for a post or employment, and his or her accompanying family members.

No Visa Required

• No visa is required for ordinary passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan to visit China for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends or transit.
• Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.
• Visas are not required of passport holders of the following countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas for the onward countries, final destination tickets and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours : Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland.

Other China Visas

Swift Passport also offers the China visas listed below. Please contact us at 877.917.9438 for detailed instructions to obtain these visas.

• Resident Visa (D Visa): Issued to an alien who comes to reside permanently in China.
• Transit Visa (G Visa): Issued to an alien who transits through China.
• Journalism Visa (J-2 Visa): Issued to foreign journalists who make short trips to China on reporting tasks.

Tips for China Travelers

• Travel in China has a lot to offer. Do some research on what you'd like to do before you go.