China - Apply for Business Visa (F Visa)

ProcedureEdit

How to Apply

You can submit your application to the consular office of Chinese embassies or consulates by yourself, or ask someone else (such as your friends, relatives) or entrust an agency to do so on your behalf. The power of attorney is not required.

Submit your application to the Visa Office of Chinese Embassy/ Consulate General based on your State of residence Pay the visa application fee at the Visa Office and pick up your visa

Required DocumentsEdit

Applicant's passport with blank pages and at least 6 months validity left before expiration.
One truly completed Application Form.
One recent passport-size color photo stuck on the application form.
To obtain an F, you must have one of the following documents: Invitation Letter, Confirmation Letter of Invitation (with the invitation letter attached) or conference notice issued by relevant entity, individual or duly authorized Chinese institute. The invitation letter should include following information:
- Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
- Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
- Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative of the entity or the inviting individual)
For a multiple entry F, copies of previous Chinese visas (on one A4 paper) are required.

Note: Under some circumstances, the applicants may be required to submit a copy of Chinese hotel reservation, return air ticket booking and financial proof.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

People's Republic of China Ministry of Public Security
Address: No. 14 East Chang An Avenue,
Beijing Zip: 100741
http://www.mps.gov.cn/
Contacts for Municipal Public Security Bureaus of China

Chinese Missions Overseas

EligibilityEdit

F Visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.

FeesEdit

The fees vary according to your nationality and number of entries. Generally speaking, the fee is higher if the number of entries is more.

ValidityEdit

F visa (for non-trade or non-commerce) is normally issued for single or double entry only. The duration of stay (each visit) is normally 30-90 days.

Documents to UseEdit

Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

It regularly takes 4 working days for processing the application. However, the express service and rush service are also available if you want to pick up your visa earlier.

InstructionsEdit

F visa had been used as business visa before M visa was introduced. F visa is now changed for noncommercial visit. F visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for research, scientific, cultural exchange and study tour. F visa (for non-trade or non-commerce) is normally issued for single or double entry only. The duration of stay (each visit) is normally 30-90 days.

Methods of Payment

You must pay your visa fee upon collection of your visa. (Some HKSAR or Macao SAR visa applicants need to pay a Communication fee prior to submission.)
Acceptable methods of payment are: credit card (Visa or Mastercard only), money order, cashier's check or company check.
Please make your check or money order payable to "Chinese Embassy" (for applications submitted to the Embassy), or to "Chinese Consulate in XXX"(for applications submitted to the Consulate General in XXX city)
Please make sure you have the exact and correct amount written on your check/money order. No erroneous check will be accepted.
Cash, personal check or online payment is NOT accepted. NO credit card other than a Visa or Mastercard is accepted.

Required InformationEdit

Personal Information
Travel Information
Other Information
Declaration & Signature
If the application form is completed by another person on the applicant's behalf, please fill out the information of the one who completes the form
The invitation letter should include following information:
- Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
- Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
- Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative of the entity or the inviting individual)

Need for the DocumentEdit

F Visa is issued to foreigners invited to China on a noncommercial exchange, investigation or visits for scientific-technological, education, cultural exchanges, health or sports activities. In some situations overseas businessmen with a need to travel frequently in and out of China over a longer period may be granted a 12 month multiple entry F.

Information which might helpEdit

Chinas Visa Authorities are:

Chinese diplomatic missions, consular posts, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and other resident organizations abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for handling visa applications by foreign citizens for entry into and transit through mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local foreign affairs offices authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for issuance, change and extension of diplomatic and service visas and for issuance of residence permit to holders of diplomatic and service visas.
The Ministry of Public Security and the local public security authorities authorized by the Ministry of Public Security are responsible for inspection on entry and exit of foreigners, issuance of visas at the port of entry, extension and change of ordinary visas, and issuance of residence permit to holders of ordinary visas, who are already in China.
The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is responsible for matters relating to foreigners entry into and exit from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Its Website address: http://www.immd.gov.hk
Macao Public Security Police Force Immigration Service. Unless visa exempted according to bilateral agreements, a foreigner may apply for a visa to enter Macao upon arrival at the Port of Entry. Website address of the Macao public security police force: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/cht/main.html

External LinksEdit

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

Chinese Ministry of Public Security

The State Council of the People's Republic of China

OthersEdit

Special Reminder

The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.
If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.
The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.
According to China-U.S. Agreement on Mutual Granting of Multiple-Entry Visas Valid for One Year to Business and Tourist Travelers, the U.S. citizens may apply for a single-entry or double-entry, or a multiple-entry "F"/"L"/"M" visa valid for half a year or one year.
If you are a U.S.-born child with one or two Chinese parents, and apply for a Chinese visa for the first time, please read Documentations Required for U.S.-Born Children with Chinese Descent.