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 experts will help guide you throughout the entire process. Ready to get started and learn more about how to obtain a China Crew Visa or Work Visa? Read on for everything you should know:
What is a China Crew Visa?
Crew visas, or 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. Please see below for the checklist of items you’ll 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.
What Documents Do I Need to Get Authenticated?
When applying for a China Work Visa, you may need to authenticate some documents. Some 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 this page 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.
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?
As of July 2021, need to request an appointment with the consulate which can add up to two weeks to the process. Please expect the current processing time to take anywhere from 10-15 business days. You can contact us to learn more about our China Crew Visa processing time options.
How Much Does a China Crew Visa Cost?
If you’re looking to obtain a China Crew Visa, please see below for the cost of our 10-15 business day processing option:
- 10-15 Business Days Option:
- $145 Consulate Fee For US Passports or $95 Consulate Fee For Most Non-US Passports
- $199 Swift Fee
- $10 Processing Fee
Please see the Swift website for more information regarding China Crew Visa costs.
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. You will need to follow the required document checklist, making sure that you check off each item on the list. During the checkout process, please make sure that you select your desired processing time, and pay all of the associated fees.
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!
