A Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry, exit or transit through Chinese territory.

The authorities of the Chinese Government abroad for handling foreigners¡¯ application for entry or transit visas are Chinese diplomatic missions abroad, consular offices and other overseas agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MFA)of China. The authorities of the Chinese Government in Beijing for handling foreigners¡¯ application for entry, transit, residence and travel visas are: Division of Visas for Foreigners of the Department of Consular Affairs. MFA:division of Certificates of the Protocol Department, MFA; the Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal Government;Division of Entry and Exit Administration of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Public Security.

The Chinese visa authorities may issue a diplomatic, courtesy, service or ordinary visa to a foreigner according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type. Following is an introduction to the ordinary visa categories and application procedures:

The ordinary visas consist of the following sub-categories, which are marked D.Z, X, F, L, G, C, j-1 or J-2 respectively.

D Visa: issued to aliens who are to reside permanently in China?

Z Visa: issued to aliens who are to take up employment and/or conduct academic exchanges in China, and to their accompanying family members

X Visa: issued to aliens who come to China for study, advanced studies or job-training for a period of six months or more

F Visa: issued to an applicant who Is invited to China on a visit, on a study, lecture or business tour, for scientific-technological and cultural exchange for a short-term refresher course or for job-training, for a period of no more than six months.

L Visa: issued to aliens who come to China for sightseeing, visiting relatives or other private purposes.

G Visa: issued to aliens who transit through China

C Visa: issued to train attendants, air crew and sailors operating international services, and to their accompanying family members

J-1 Visa: issued to foreign resident correspondents in China, and to their accompanying family members

J-2 Visa: issued to foreign correspondents who make a short trip to China for the purpose of reporting