HOLIDAY CLOSURE ADVISORY: OFFICES IN BEIJING WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9-17 FEBRUARY 2013.

Do I need a visa? | What type of visa do I apply for? | How do I get an invitation or local host letter? | Chinese Embassies by region

Do I need a China Visa?    

All travelers are strongly encouraged to visit the embassy or consular website in their region to read the specific requirements to obtain a visa. A list of Chinese embassies by region is included below for your reference.

Passport

A valid passport is mandatory to enter Beijing. Your passport must be current and valid at least 6 months from the date of entry into Beijing. Also, all visitors must have an entry and exit ticket.

Visa Exempt Countries and Individuals

Citizens of the countries below can enter Beijing without a visa for up to 15 days without a visa for tourism, including visiting family or friends, or minor business purposes provided they enter through nominated international ports:

• Singapore
• Brunei Darussalam
• Japan

For nationals of these three countries, a visa is required under following circumstance:

(1) Ordinary passport holder visits China for tourism, business, visiting friends and relatives and stay for no more than 15 days.
(2) Ordinary passport holder visits China for the purposes of study, work, official visit, settling down and interview.
(3) Diplomatic and Official passport holder.

Also,

Visa Exemption for Diplomatic, Service or Official Passport Holders

China has mutual visa-free agreements with some foreign countries, but they are mainly for diplomatic, service or official passport holders and only allow the duration of stay less than 30 days.

Visa Exemption for Direct Transit

Transit passengers by international flight who hold onward tickets do not require a visa provided that they stay in the airport transit area and depart within 24 hours.

What countries will need a visa for Beijing Entry?

What type of visa do I need to apply for?

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Business Visa (F-visa)

A Chinese Business visa is needed to enter China if you are attending various kinds of trade fairs, exhibitions, or meetings for a period of no more than 6 months.

What do I need to apply for a Business Visa (F-visa)?

(i) Original passport which has more than 6 months left before it expires from the date of application and sufficient blank visa pages.

(ii) One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken passport photo stuck on it; all the items on the application form should be completed neatly with genuine information; if the applicant has a Chinese name, the Chinese name should be filled in; false or incomplete information and illegible characters may lead to refusal of a visa.

(iii) A Letter of invitation from a company or institution in China (The letter of invitation can not be email, and should include full name and passport number of the invitee as well as the purpose and duration of the visit) or an Invitation letter of Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation letter of Invitation issued by an authorized unit in China (AnInvitation letter of Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation letter of Invitation refers to the letter issued by the Chinese government departments, companies and social organizations authorized by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. For detailed information, please consult the foreign affairs office of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government where your host is located. An Invitation letter of Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation letter of Invitation can not be email, should include full name and passport number of the invitee as well as the purpose and duration of the visit, and should be used within 6 months since its issuing date)

(iv) An applicant holding a passport other than UK passport should provide the original and a copy of his or her permanent residence or work permit which should be valid for at least half a year (except for those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in the UK).

Where can I get a visa invitation letter and a local host letter?

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All applicants will require a formal letter of invitation to apply for a Chinese visa. In most cases, applicants will also require an invitation from the local host.

Invitation letters can be obtained from ICANN's website: http://www.icann.org/en/contact/invite-beijing46

Once your request is submitted, you will receive an ICANN invitation in 3-5 business days.

Your details will also be sent to the local host to obtain your local host letter. Local host letters of invitation will be processed within 2 WEEKS. Should you have any questions regarding your local host letter, please send an email to VISA@cnnic.cn.

Attendees will need to provide the following information when requesting visa invitation letters:

• Name (First, Middle, Last) on Passport
• Passport Number
• Nationality
• Gender
• Date of Birth
• Country of Residence
• Work Organization
• Work Job Title/Profession
• Contact Number +
• Email
• Mailing Address (Please include if your visa application requires an original invitation letter)
• Local Embassy (where you are applying for your Chinese visa)

Chinese Embassies by Region