China - Obtain a Ctype Crew Visa

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Procedure

An applicant may submit his or her visa application to the embassy in person or entrusts someone or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf. You may book in advance via the embassy's website for submission. You may be required to go to the Chinese Consulate-General for an interview if the Chinese Consulate-General deems it necessary. Applicants can apply visa by postal service as well.

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Required Documents

• Original passport with at least two blank visa pages and a photocopy of their current passport (photo page only). For single entry visa, the passport should be valid for at least 6 months; For double-entry visa, the passport should be valid at least 9 months;
• One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken colored passport photo (no hat, no veiling) affixed on it. The application form should be fully filled in with genuine information; if the applicant has a Chinese name, the Chinese name should be filled in; false or incomplete information and illegible handwriting may lead to refusal of visa.
• Applicants who have not been to mainland China, should provide copies of photo page of current passport as well as other ID, e.g. previous passport, driver license, etc. Applicants under 16 can be exempted.
• Applicants who have been granted Chinese visa(s) before, should provide copies of recent Chinese visa with entry record. In case they are not on the current passport, copies of the previous passport with the above data are required.
• Foreign nationals who once held Chinese nationality,
  • who apply for Chinese visa for the first time, should submit the former Chinese passport (the Consulate General will cancel its validity), HK/Macau SAR passport, Taiwan travel document.
  • who have been granted Chinese visa(s) before , should do as point "(iv)" requires.
• Official visa application letter from their company or visa notification issued by an authorized unit in China.

Office Locations & Contacts

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

Eligibility

Crew Visa (C-visa) is issued to a crew member performing his/her duties on board of an international train, airliner, ocean-liner or freighter.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

C-visa is valid for a period of three months with single entry or double entries. Duration of stay is decided by Consular Officers in the light of actual need.

Documents to Use

China Visa Application Form V.2013

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Regular pick-up time is on the fourth working day.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

• Persons arriving as crew on international planes, ships or trains and their family members should apply for it. Clearly they should obtain information and complete formalities via their employers.
• Please apply for a visa about one month in advance of your intended date of entry into China, and do not apply three months earlier. You should take upon yourself any consequences resulting from your failure to submit visa application at an appropriate time, which may lead to either your already-issued visa becoming expired or it would be too late to get a visa before your planned departure date.
• The visa application form should be fully filled in and signed by the applicant upon completion. Items which are not applicable should be filled in with N/A. No visa application documents will be returned, therefore, please copy it yourself in advance if necessary. The service fee will be charged by the CVASC regardless of the outcome of the visa application.
• Consular Officers may request an applicant to provide additional supporting documents when needed. The applicant should submit them as soon as possible. Consular Officers decide on whether a visa is to be issued or not, what type of visa is to be issued, the visa's period of validity, duration of stay and number of entry in the light of China's laws and regulations. The service fee will be charged by the CVASC no matter your visa application is approved or rejected.
• C-Visa is used only for the purpose of performing duties as a crew member. C-visa holders who come to China for the purposes other than performing such a duty or those who intend to continue to stay in China for personal reasons after completion of their duties have to apply for an appropriate visa.
• A C-Visa holder must enter into or exit from China with the aircraft (train and ship) he or she works for, otherwise, he or she should apply for another type of visa.

Required Information

• 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

Need for the Document

China Crew visa (C Visa) is Issued to foreign crew members utilizing means of international transportation including: aircraft, trains, ships, and motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities. Also issued to accompanying family members of crew members.

Information which might help

Supporting Documents C Visa

• A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China
• Crew members of the following 11 airline companies may apply for multiple-entry C Visa valid for two years: United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, UPS, Federal Express, Polar Air Cargo, Evergreen Air Cargo, Kalitta Air Inc., Southern Air Inc. and World Airways Inc.
• The Chinese Consulates General will issue single-entry or double-entry visas or multiple-entry visas valid for 6 months for crew members of other airline companies on a case-by-case basis.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

It is issued to foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships.

External Links

Chinese Visas

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

Others

Many countries require crew to obtain specific crew visas. Flight crew members continue to encounter visa issues here and there around the world on a fairly regular basis. Its important to always verify the correct visa type needed to enter your intended destinations worldwide. Crew visa issues can be avoided with adequate advanced planning. Multiple entry visas are usually a preferred option, particularly for those countries you intend to travel to frequently. Additionally, many crew members take the precaution of carrying a second passport. This allows one to be submitted for visas while having a backup ready in case of a short-notice trip.