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Updated:
08/01/2003
A Chinese visa is a permit issued by
the Chinese visa authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from
or transit through China. The Chinese visa authorities may issue
a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to an alien according
to his status, purpose of visit to China or passport type. The Ordinary
Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked
with Chinese phonetic letters C, D, F, G, J-1, J-2, L, X and Z.
C Visa: Issued to crewmembers to perform
duties on board an international train, airliner or other vessel,
and their accompanying family members.
D Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to reside
permanently in China.
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 intern practice for a
period of no more than six months.
G Visa:
Issued to an alien who transits through China.
J-1
Visa: Issued to foreign resident correspondents
in China.
J-2
Visa: Issued to foreign correspondents who
make short trips to China on reporting tasks.
L Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to China
for sightseeing, family visiting or other private purposes.
X Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to China
for study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of more
than six months.
Z Visa: Issued to an alien who comes to China
for a post or employment, and his or her accompanying family members.
The overseas Chinese visa authorities
are Chinese embassies, consulates, and other offices authorized
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If
a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through
Chinese territory, he/she shall apply to the above-mentioned Chinese
visa authorities for a Chinese visa.
- Visas are not required of aliens (except
citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom), who hold
final destination tickets 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 Citizens 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£º
Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain,
Italy, Austria, Greece.
- 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.
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