If you plan on visiting China for work, you may need to first obtain a China visa. Depending on what type of work you will be doing while in China, the type of visa you need will vary. For example, you may need a Crew Visa, Work Visa, or another type of China visa. Luckily, obtaining a China visa with Swift Passport and Visa Services is simple, and our team of travel professionals will help guide you throughout the entire process.
Ready to get started and learn more about how to obtain a China Crew Visa or China Work Visa? Read on for everything you should know.
What is a China Crew Visa?
Crew visas (C visas) are issued to crew members (and their family members) who are looking to work onboard airliners, vessels, and international trains entering China. China visa validity begins the day that the visa is issued. You can enter China on the day that your China visa expires and stay for 30-90 days, depending on the maximum number of days you are allowed as indicated on your visa.
What is Required For a China Crew Visa?
There is a list of documents and requirements that you will need to follow when applying for your China Crew Visa. Below is a checklist of items that you may need during the application process:
- Valid Passport
- China Visa Application (please note that there is a new online China Visa application as of January 2021)
- Copy of Passport Information Page
- Passport Photo
- Letter From Your Employer
- Crew ID
- Swift Letter of Authorization
- Copy of Last China Visa (if applicable)
- Jurisdictional Requirements
Please note that there are some additional requirements for former citizens of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, that you can read about here. Documents other than the ones listed above may be needed to apply for a China crew visa, so be sure to review all of the requirements closely so that you know what is required. If you have any questions during the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to assist you!
What Documents Do I Need to Get Authenticated?
When applying for a China Work Visa, you may need to authenticate some documents. Common documents that people often need to get authenticated include their birth certificate and degree. If you find that you need to authenticate a document to obtain your China Work Visa, below are the steps that you’ll need to take:
Step 1. Determine Your Jurisdiction
Which consulate your document will need to be sent to depends on which state your document was generated. For example, if you were born in Wisconsin and have a Wisconsin birth certificate, you would be part of the Chicago jurisdiction. Take a look at the China Consulate Jurisdictions page of our website to determine what jurisdiction you belong to.
Step 2. Get Your Document Notarized in the State That It Originated
You will need to get your document notarized in the state where it originated. The notary can either use the original document or will make a copy of the document. Then, they will notarize the document, write a testimony, and staple it to the copy or original. This is a very important step in the application process, so please make sure that you complete it before moving on to the next step.
Step 3. Obtain an Official State Seal Authenticated by the Secretary of State
If your document is within the Chinese Consulate of Chicago, you must obtain an official state seal authenticated by the Secretary of State. State authentication is sometimes referred to as a “stamp” or a “gold seal,” it is a sealed certificate that confirms the authority of a public official has signed. The notary’s stamp and testimony on the document will verify that the named individual and their position are a matter of record in the Secretary of the State’s Office. The certificate will only be prepared if the official has executed the document properly and can only be attached to a signed original or a sealed certified copy.
How Long Does it Take to Get a China Crew Visa?
Understanding how long it takes to get a China crew visa is essential, as it can give you an idea of when you need to start the application process. The time it takes to obtain this type of visa varies, depending on numerous factors such as how quickly you need your China crew visa. To see our current visa processing options, please visit our website to review all of the up-to-date information regarding China crew visa processing times.
How Much Does a China Crew Visa Cost?
If you’re looking to obtain a China Crew Visa, you will want to know more information about how much it’s going to cost you. Depending on how quickly you’ll need your visa, the cost could vary. To see the current cost of a China crew visa, please visit the Swift website for more information. You will see the complete cost of your visa during the checkout process so that you know exactly how much you’ll need to pay.
How Can I Apply For a China Crew Visa?
If you’re looking to apply for a China Crew Visa, you can begin the process on the Swift website. During the application process, it’s important that you follow the required document checklist, and ensure that you check off each item on the list. Failing to do so may lead to a delay in your application, so please double check that you have all of the required documentation and have completed each step before moving on. Additionally, please make sure that you select your desired processing time and pay all of the associated fees during the checkout process.
Swift Passport Services is the premier China visa expediting service. We’ve located our office on the same floor as the Chinese Consulate in an effort to provide the fastest, most convenient China visa service available. If you have any questions in regards to obtaining a China C Visa, please don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable team. We’d be happy to help! No matter where you’re going, we’ll get you there.
