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Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application
2024-03-04 19:01

From 1st  March,2024,holders of valid ordinary passports of the Kingdom of Thailand shall be exempted from visa requirement for entry into,exit from or transit through the territory of China, for each single stay not exceeding thirty (30) days and for a cumulative period of stays not exceeding ninety (90) days in any one hundred and eighty (180)-day-period.The above mentioned passport holders who intend to stay in China for a period of more than thirty (30) days or to reside or engage in employment, study, media activities, or other activities which require prior approval from the competent authorities, shall apply for an appropriate visa before entering China.

1.The application procedures for ordinary visa to China:

(1) Pleasecomplete an online application form via the website https://visaforchina.org(click“Asia”→“Chiangmai”).Please print out the full set of “Visa Application Form” and sign in its Section 9 “Signature & Declaration”, and print out “Confirmation of Online Visa Application” and sign on it.

(2) Please submit the application in person and have your fingerprints collected at Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Chiangmai .

The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprints collection:

1) Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70;

2) Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for diplomatic, official and courtesy visas;

3) Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past five years with the same passport at the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiangmaior Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Chiangmai.

4) Applicants all/some fingerprints of whom are uncollectible.

The four kinds of applicants mentioned above can entrust an agent or agency with application submission.

5) Applicants who apply for single-or double-entry business, tourist, family visit, transit, or crew visas.(The measure will expire on 31 December 2024)

2.Documents Required for Ordinary Visa Application

(1) Visa Application Form and Photo: Printed form filled in online, and hard copy of the photo uploaded;

(2) Original and photocopy of the applicant’s passport (with enough blank visa pages and a validity period of no less than six months from the day of submitting the application);

(3) Original and photocopy of the applicant’s proof of legal stay or residence status in Thailand (applicable to foreign citizens who stay in Thailand other than Thai or Chinese people);

(4) Original of applicant’s previous Chinese passport(s) or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens who used to have Chinese citizenship).If this is your first time applying for a Chinese visa, the original Chinese passport and photocopy of Chinese passport information page is required.If you have been granted a Chinese visa and hold a new issued foreign passport, photocopies of previous foreign passport information page and previous Chinese visa is required.

(5)Other essential documents required according to visa types

Visa Types

 Visa Description

Required Documents

L

For individual tourists

Please provide one of the following documents
 ◎ A reservation of hotel room and a round-trip flight ticket.
 ◎ An Invitation Letter issued by an authorized unit or Invitation letter from an individual in China and the photocopy of the inviter’s Chinese ID.
 An Invitation Letter must contain the following information
-- Information of the applicant: full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

-- Information of the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departur-e dates, place(s) to visit, relations between the applicant and the invitin-g entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.;

--Information of the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telephon-e number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual.

 Please provide one of the following documents
 ◎ A reservation of hotel room and a round-trip flight ticket.
 ◎ An Invitation Letter issued by an authorized unit or Invitation letter from an individual in China and the photocopy of the inviter’s Chinese ID.
 An Invitation Letter must contain the following information
-- Information of the applicant: full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

-- Information of the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departur-e dates, place(s) to visit, relations between the applicant and the invitin-g entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.;

-- Information of the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telepho-ne number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal  representative or the  inviting individual.

M

For commercial/business activities

An Invitation Letter issued by the commercial business partner in China (The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or comput-er printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of   the invitation letter.)
The Invitation Letter must contain the following information
-- Information of the invitee: full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
-- Information of the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departur-e dates, place(s) to visit, relation between the applicant and the invi-ting entity or individual, financial source for expenses, etc.;
-- Information of the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telepho-ne number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual.

F

For a visit for academic, cultural, scientific and other  non-commercial activities

Please provide one of the following documents
◎ An Invitation Letter issued by relevant units in China;
(The Invitation Letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or compute-r printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.)
The invitation letter must contain the following information
-- Information of the invitee: full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
-- Information of the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departur-e    dates, place(s) to visit, relation between the applicant and the invi-ting entity  or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.;
-- Information of the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telepho-ne number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual.
◎ Personnel engaged in geographic surveying and mapping activities in China: An Invitation Letter issued by the Science and Technology and Cooperation Department of the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping of China;
◎ Exchange performers: An Invitation Letter issued by the event organiz-er and a photocopy of the non-commercial approval document for the performance issued by the cultural authorities;
◎ Experts who stay in China for no more than 90 days: An“Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts to China issued by the competent department of foreign experts at the city level (including) with districts;
◎ Volunteers who stay in China for no more than 90 days: an invitatio-n letter issued by a unit in China.

X1

For studying in China for more than180 days

The original or photocopy of Admission Letter/ Admission Notice issued by  the school or other entities in China for new students and the pro-of of returning to school for returning students;
2. The original or photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China  Form  JW-201”or “Form JW-202”

*For applicants who are primary or secondary students, the original or   photocopy of Confirmation Form for Elementary Stage Students Study in China.

X2

For studying in China for less than 180 days

The original or photocopy of Admission Letter/ Admission Notice issued by  the school or other entities in China.

Z

Forworking in China

Please provide one of the following documents
◎ Photocopy of “Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit”;
◎ Photocopy of the“Invitation Letter for Foreigners to Engage in Offsho-re Oil Operations”issued by CNOOC;

◎ Photocopy of the“Registration Certificate of Permanent  Representative Office of Foreign (Regional) Enterprises” issued by the market supervision and management department;

◎ Original and photocopy of the“Confirmation Letter for Employment ofStaff in Foreign Cultural Centers issued by the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism;

◎ Photocopy of the“Representative Qualification Confirmation  Letter” issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; 

◎ For commercial entertainment performance or shows for less than 90 days: The original and photocopy of “Approval of Short-Term Employm-ent for Foreigners Working in P. R. China”and “Approval for Performa-nce issued by a competent Cultural Department/Bureau.

Q1

00001. For familymembers of Chinese citizens, who apply for a stay in China (more than 180 days) for family reunion;
        
2. For  family  members of foreigners  with “Chinese  permanent  residence status”,  who apply  for a stay in China (more than 180   days) for family reunion;
    
3. For people who apply for  entry andstay forreasons like fostercare.
    

00002. *Family members include spouses, parents,spouse’s parents,  children, children’s  spouses, grandparents, siblings,  grandchildren, and maternal grandchildren.)

For the purpose of family reunion, please provide:
    
1. An Invitation Letters from the relatives in China with a photocopy of his/her Chinese ID or“Chinese Permanent Resident Permit”, and origina-l and photocopy of kinship proof.      
(The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computerprintout, but the consularofficer may require the applicant to submit theoriginal of the invitation letter.
    
The invitation letter must contain the following information
    
-- Information of the invitee: full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
    
-- Information of the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departur-e dates, place(s) to visit, relations between the applicant and the invitin-g entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.;

-- Information of the inviter: full name, contact telephone number, address, signature.

2. The original and photocopy of the proof of family relationship betwe-enthe applicant and the inviter (marriage certificate, birth certificate, pr-oof of kinship issued by the Local Security Bureau or the notarial certi-ficate of kinship, etc.)

3. Photocopy of the inviter’s Chinese identity certificate (such as      ChineseID card or household registration booklet, overseas Chinese and HongKong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan compatriots can provide pa-ssport, Home Visit    Permit, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Resid-ents, and proof of work or  residence in China for more than 6 month-s), or photocopy of passport of the foreigner and his/her “Chinese Per-manent Residence Permit”.

    
    
In case of foster care, the following must be provided:
1. The original and photocopy of the foster care power of attorney nota-rial issued by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad, or the foster care power of attorney notarized by the host country or China;
2. The original and photocopy of the client’s passport;
3. A Letter of Consent to accept foster care issued by the trustee accep-ting  foster care and a photocopy of his/her ID card;
4. If both or one of the parents of the foster child is a Chinese citizen,a photocopy of the Overseas Settlement Certificate of Chinese parents at the time of the child’s birth must also be provided.
    

Q2

1. For relatives of Chinese citizens  residing in China, who intend to go to China for a short-term visit (not exceeding 180 days);
    
    
    
2. For relatives of  foreigners with  Chinese permanent  residence status, who intend to go to China for a short-term family visit (not  exceeding  180days).
    

1. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen living in China or a      foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residence status.
(The invitation letter may be in the form of fax,photocopy or computer      printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to sub-mit the original of the invitation letter.)
The invitation letter must contain the following:
-- Personal information of the invitee: full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
-- Visit information of the invitee: reason for coming to China, dates of     arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship with the inviter, financial source of expenditures, etc.;
 -- Inviter’s information: name, contact number, address, inviter’s signatu-re, etc.
-- Photocopy of the inviters Chinese identity certificate (such as Chinese ID  card or household registration booklet, overseas Chinese and Hong-Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan compatriots can provide  passport, Home Visit Permit, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, and proof of work or  residence in China for more than 6 months), or phot-ocopy of passport of foreigner and Chinese permanent residence permit.

S1

For spouses, parents, sons ordaughters under the age of 18years,parents of spouses of foreigners residing in China for work, study, etc.,who intend to go to China for a long-term visit (more than 180 days),  and those  who need to residein China

Forother  personal  affairs.

If the inviter has been working or long-term studying in China:
1. An Invitation Letter issued by the foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or long-term study;
(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.)
The invitation letter must contain the following information
-- Information of the invitee: full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
-- Information of the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departur-e dates, place(s) to visit, relations between the applicant and the invitin-g entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.
-- Information of the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telepho-ne number, address, official
2. A photocopy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit;
3. Original and a photocopy of certification of family relationship betwe-en the applicant and inviter (such as marriage certificate, birth certificat-e, certificate of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or the notaria-l certificate of kinship).

If an applicant who applies at the same time with the foreigner who is going to China for work or long-term study:
1. Photocopy of work or long-term study visa application documents;
2. The original certificate of relationship between the applicant and the      applicant who applies for working visa or long-term study visa (su-ch as marriage certificate, birth certificate, notarialcertificate of kinship,etc.);
3. A statement issued by the relevant unit. 
For accompanying family members of foreign journalists: a “visa notific-ation  letter” issued by the Department of Information of Ministry of  Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China.

S2

1.Family Visitor Visa of less  than180 days for family members of foreign nationals who work or study in China;
    
*Family members include spouses, parents,spouse’s parents, children, children’s spouses,grandparents, siblings, grandchildren, andmaternal grandchildren.)
      
    
2. Visitor Visa for personal affairs to stay in Chinafor less than 180 days. 

For a short-term family visit

1. A photocopy of the passport and residence permit of the inviter (a       foreigner who stays and resides in China for work, study, etc.);

The invitation letter must contain the following:

-- Personal information of the invitee: full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;

2. An invitation letter issued by the inviter;(The invitation letter may be in   the form of fax, photocopy or computerprintout, but the consular officer   may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitat-ion letter.)

-- Visit information of the invitee: reason for coming to China, dates of     arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship with the inviter, financial source of expenditures, etc.;
-- Inviter’s information: full name, contact telephone number, address,sig-nature, etc.
3. Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, a c-opy  of the certificate of kinship, etc.) between the applicant and the  i-nviter issued by the police station or a notarial certificate of kinship, (spouse, parents, children, spouses of children, brothers and sisters, gran-dparents, maternal  grandparents, grandchildren, maternal  grandchildr-en, and parents of the spouse).
For personal affairs, the consular officer may require to provide relevant proof documents.

J1

For resident foreign journalists in China

Visa notifications issued by the Information Department of the Chinese      Foreign Ministry and official letters from the applicant’s employer.

J2

For foreign  journalists whovisit China for temporary  news coverage.

Visa notifications issued by the Information Department of the Chinese     Foreign Ministry or other competent Chinese authorities and official letters   from the applicant’s employer.

C

For foreign crew  members ofinternational transportation international aircraft, trains, ships, or motor vehicle driversengaged in cross-border transport activities, or for the accompanying family  members of the crew onboard the above-mentioned ships

A guarantee letter issued by a foreign transportation company, or an inv-itation letter issued by a relevant unit in China.

G

For people who transit  through China

A connecting flight (vehicle/train/ship) ticket with a confirmed date and seat  to the destination country or region.

R

For foreigner of high talent or specialists

A photocopy of the“Confirmation Letter for Foreigners of High Talent  or Specialist”.

D

For permanent residence

The original and photocopy of  the“Confirmation Form for Foreigners       Permanent Residence Status”issued by the Ministry of Public Secur-ity of China.

3.Processing Time for Ordinary Visas

(1)Regular Service: If you have submitted all documents required, it normally takes 4 business days (it may vary case by case).

(2)Express Service: If you have a special or emergent situation, you may request an express service (2 or 3 business days) with an additional fee.Approval for such services may or may not be provided by the Chinese Consulate General.

4. Other Reminders

(1) For those who intend to visit China for humanitarian reasons, such as visiting an immediate family member who is in critical medical condition, arranging funeral matters of an immediate family member in China, or for other emergencies, please email chiangmai@csm.mfa.gov.cnin advance for enquiry.

(2) 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.

(3) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

(4)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.

(5)Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for Diplomatic, official and Courtesy visas please submit visa application directly to the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Chiang Mai, and for enquiry please email chiangmai@csm.mfa.gov.cn.


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