China visa requirements are the core issues that every foreigner who plans to travel, study, work, or do business in China must clarify in advance. Only by accurately mastering the application conditions and processes of different visa types can you successfully start your China trip or development plan. In this paper, the core requirements for visas for different purposes will be broken down, combined with the latest official policies, to help you efficiently prepare for your application.
The core points of China’s visa requirements for Tourism
A tourist visa (L visa) is the mainstream choice for foreigners to visit China. You will need to prepare the following basic materials: a valid passport (with a remaining validity period of more than 6 months), a detailed itinerary, and a hotel reservation certificate.
In 2026, according to the announcement of the Ministry of foreign affairs of China, China implemented a unilateral visa free policy for more than 40 countries, such as France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Spain, and Switzerland, and the validity period was extended to December 31, 2,026. Sweden was also added to the scope of visa-free free. The above countries with ordinary license holders come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, and transit for no more than 30 days, and can be exempted from visa entry. You can apply through the Chinese embassy or the official online platform.
(reference address: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202511/04/content_WS690964b0c6d00ca5f9a0749d.html )
Necessary materials for the China visa requirements for studying abroad
The prerequisite for applying for a study visa (X visa) is to obtain the official admission notice of Chinese universities. You also need to provide proof of funds (covering the expenses during the study period) and an international travel health examination certificate. For talents in the STEM field, it is necessary to focus on the K visa (foreign young scientific and technological talents visa) officially implemented on October 1, 2025, which is a new type of ordinary visa in China, and K stands for “science and technology”. The application conditions are clear: foreign young scientific and technological talents who need to graduate from well-known domestic and foreign universities or scientific research institutions in the field of STEM (Science, technology, engineering, Mathematics) and obtain a bachelor’s degree or above, or engage in relevant professional education and scientific research in the above institutions. The biggest difference between the Z sign (work sign) and the R sign (high-level talents sign) is that the K sign does not need domestic employing units or inviting units, but can be applied for independently. After entering the country, the holder can carry out exchanges in the fields of education, science and technology, culture, entrepreneurship, business, and other activities. The visa validity period and residence period can enjoy the convenience policy. It can also apply for the relevant residence permit for the spouse and children, and enjoy the process simplification benefits when applying for the residence permit.
The QS forecast data shows that in 2026, the number of international students in China will return to the peak before the outbreak. According to the relevant data of the overseas study service center of the Ministry of Education of China, the pass rate of overseas study visa applications in China in 2025 has been steadily increasing, and the pass rate of academic education applicants is particularly prominent (overseas study service center of the Ministry of Education of China, 2,025). Before submission, it is necessary to confirm that the materials are not missing.
(reference address: https://www.cscse.edu.cn/ )
Special notes on visa requirements for work and business in China
For the work visa (Z signature), the employer shall provide the foreign employee’s permit certificate and invitation letter. The business visa (M signature) needs a copy of the invitation letter for business activities or a cooperation agreement. It should be noted that from December 22, 2,025, to December 31, 2,026, China’s visa offices abroad are exempt from fingerprinting for all short-term business visa applicants with a residence period of 180 days. As a visa type that requires applicants to apply for a residence certificate after entering the country, the Z visa still collects fingerprints according to the regulations.
In addition, the Chinese Embassy in Russia and other foreign institutions extended the policy of phasing down the visa fee to China until December 31, 2,026. Other countries and regions can pay attention to the announcement of the local embassy and consulate in China to learn about the details of the fee discount (Ministry of Commerce of China, 2,025). You need to confirm the material details with the employer or partner in advance.
(reference address: https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/ )
Online application facilitation adjustment of China visa requirements
Since March 31, 2,025, China has officially launched the national unified China visa online processing system. In 2026, the system continued to optimize the service process. Applicants covering most countries in the world can fill in forms online and upload application materials online through the official platform. The review time is 1-2 working days shorter than offline applications (Ministry of foreign affairs of China, 2,025). Among them, for countries with a China visa application service center, the system will automatically jump to the corresponding center port for processing. You need to confirm whether the country you are in is covered by the online transaction.
(reference address: https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ )
The common misunderstandings of China’s visa requirements
It’s easy for many applicants to overlook some details. For example:
- The blank page of the passport should be at least 2 pages; otherwise, it will be returned.
- The photo should be a bareheaded color photo taken in the past 6 months, and the size is not approved. More photo requirements can find in China visa photo requirements.
- A false itinerary will directly lead to rejection.
- confused the scope of fingerprint exemption, mistakenly believing that all visa types are fingerprint-free (D, J, Q1, S1, X1, and Z words still need to be collected); It should be noted that if the K visa is applied for a stay period of less than 180 days, it can enjoy the fingerprint-free policy of short-term visa
You need to check the materials one by one to avoid such low-level errors.
Reference of trial time for different visa types
According to the latest feedback from the embassy and consulate in China, there are differences in the processing time of various visas:
- Tourist visa: usually 3-5 working days.
- Student visa: usually 5-7 working days. The K visa audit provides a fast track, and the processing time can be shortened by 1-2 working days. Its single-entry validity period can be up to 1 year, and the residence period can be reasonably determined according to the needs of the activity. The specific visa issuance shall prevail.
- Work and business visa: usually 7-10 working days. You can plan the application node in advance according to the travel or entry time.
The channels of visa refusal and verification required by China
If your application is rejected, you can submit supplementary materials through the verification channel provided by the embassy and consulate in China. According to the data of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2025, the pass rate of the review reached 32% (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 2,025). You need to submit your application for review within 10 days after the notice of refusal.
Tips for the extension of China’s visa requirements for long-term development
If you plan to study or work in China for a long time, you can apply for a residence permit after entering China. The application for residence permit should meet the extension conditions of China visa requirements, such as the overseas students need to provide the University proof; The K visa holder can enjoy the preferential treatment of simplified process for applying for residence permit, without additional domestic employment certificate, only need to submit visa, valid passport, relevant education or work certificate and residence permit application form (relevant policies of the exit and Entry Administration Bureau of the Ministry of public security of China, 2,025).
(reference address: https://ht.china-office.gov.cn/lsfw/zj/lhqz/202505/t20250531_11638147.htm )
Tips for regional differences in China’s visa requirements
Some embassies and consulates in China will adjust the material requirements according to the local situation. For example, the Chinese Embassy in Russia implemented a phased visa fee reduction policy, while some European embassies and consulates paid more attention to the authenticity verification of cooperation agreements on the material verification of business visa applicants (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 2,025). In addition, it is also necessary to pay attention to the differences in regional requirements of different visa types. For example, visa K applicants can enjoy the material pre-trial service in some embassies and consulates in China. You can log in to the official website of the local embassy and consulate in China to confirm the details.
Brief description of other common visa types
Confirm the purpose of travel or development, and select the corresponding visa type (for example, foreign young scientific and technological talents in the field of STEM can give priority to the assessment of K visa adaptability; Select F for exchange visit, G for transit, Q for family visit, etc.)
Visa C: it is issued to the crew of international trains, crew of international aircraft, crew members of international ships, and their accompanying family members, and car drivers engaged in international road transportation who perform the tasks of crew, aviation, and shipping
Visa D: for those who enter the country for permanent residence, they need to provide the permanent residence qualification verification certificate and other materials issued by the Ministry of Public Security
Visa F: It is issued to those who enter the country to engage in exchanges, visits, investigations, and other activities, and the invitation letter of the Chinese invitation unit is required
Visa G: for those who pass through China, they need to provide materials such as connecting tickets to the third country (region)
J1 visa: issued to foreign resident journalists of foreign news agencies in China, and J2 visa issued to foreign journalists entering China for short-term coverage, all of which need to provide relevant supporting materials from their news agencies
Visa Q1: It is issued to Chinese citizens or family members of foreigners with China’s permanent residence qualifications who apply for residence in China due to family reunion, and visa Q2 is issued to the above-mentioned relatives who are short-term visitors to China. They need to provide documents such as proof of kinship.
Visa S1: It is issued to the family members of foreigners staying in China due to work, study, and other reasons, and those who need to stay in China for a long time due to other private affairs. Visa S2 is issued to the above-mentioned persons who visit their families for a short period of time, and those who stay in China for other private affairs.
R visa: it is issued to foreign high-level talents and urgently needed professionals urgently needed by the state. It is necessary to provide the invitation letter of the Chinese unit and the relevant certificates of talent identification.
Practical preparation steps for applying for a Chinese visa
- Confirm the purpose of travel or development, and select the corresponding visa type (for example, foreign young scientific and technological talents in the field of STEM can give priority to the assessment of K visa adaptability)
- Log in to the official platform to query the latest China visa requirements (recommend the online visa system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the official website of the local embassy and consulate in China)
- Prepare and check the application materials one by one, focusing on whether it is necessary to collect fingerprints and whether it meets the conditions of visa-free entry
- Submit the application online or offline and pay the fee (pay attention to the local visa fee preferential policy)
- wait for the result of the audit, get the visa in time, and submit the materials within the specified time limit if it is necessary to review
You can make a list of this step and gradually promote the application work.
Reference
- relevant policies of the Exit-Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security of China (2025). China visa types and residence permit application guidelines. Official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China https://ht.china-office.gov.cn/lsfw/zj/lhqz/202505/t20250531_11638147.htm
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (2,025). China to extend unilateral visa-free policy for over 40 countries, with Sweden newly added. official website of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202511/04/content_WS690964b0c6d00ca5f9a0749d.html
- overseas study service center of the Ministry of education of China (2025). Service guide and data bulletin for studying in China. Official website of the Overseas Study Service Center, Ministry of Education of China https://www.cscse.edu.cn/
- Ministry of Commerce of China (2,025). Visa policy and service guidelines for business in China. Official website of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/
- relevant policies of the Exit-Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security of China (2,025). China visa types and residence permit application guidelines. Official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China https://ht.china-office.gov.cn/lsfw/zj/lhqz/202505/t20250531_11638147.htm
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (2,025). Notice on opening China visa online processing NetEase news client https://c.m.163.com/news/a/JSK6MEBR0524A1J0.html
- Chinese Consulate General in Lagos (2,025). Notice on Exemption of fingerprints for some types of visas. Official website of the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos https://lagos.china-consulate.gov.cn/chn/zlsggg/202512/t20251222_11777708.htm.
- the State Council (2,025). Decision on the revision of the regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the administration of the entry and exit of foreigners. National Party media information public platform http://m.toutiao.com/group/7538629705470083647/?upstream_biz=doubao
