| The china visa application process can be a confusing | | | | to six months. A holder of this type can enter China |
| one. Failure to apply for the right category may result | | | | only one time and stay for the time specified on the |
| in a delay or cancellation of a trip. | | | | visa. |
| The China visa application process can be a confusing | | | | Applicants who plan to enter the country on more than |
| one. Failure to apply for the right category may result | | | | one occasion can apply for the second or third type of |
| in a delay or cancellation of a trip. Understanding the | | | | Chinese business visa. A Double-entry visa allows a |
| difference between a Chinese tourist visa and a | | | | holder to enter China twice during the specified time. |
| Chinese business visa can save applicants time and | | | | They are typically valid for six months. Holders who |
| trouble. | | | | intend to enter the country three or more times can |
| All travelers to China must fill out a china visa | | | | request a Multiple-entry visa. The Multiple-entry visa is |
| application prior to their trip. This rule applies to all U.S. | | | | usually valid for six to twelve months. Under special |
| citizens and residents across the board, regardless of | | | | circumstances a 24 month Multiple-entry visa may be |
| the nature of the trip. China visa applications can be | | | | granted. Applicants requesting this extension must |
| obtained from several sources, including: | | | | meet specified criteria and are subject to the discretion |
| * U.S. Post Offices. | | | | of the Chinese consulate. |
| * Online passport processing centers. | | | | No business of any type can be conducted by a |
| * Private passport processing outlets. | | | | person holding a Chinese tourist visa. This type of |
| * Your local Chinese embassy office. | | | | visa is granted strictly for pleasure and for the |
| The Embassy of the People's Republic of China | | | | purposes of visiting family/friends. Any person caught |
| differentiates between a "business" trip and a | | | | conducting business while visiting China with a Chinese |
| "pleasure" or "tourist" trip to China. It defines | | | | tourist visa may be subject to fines, prosecution and/or |
| "business" as a visit to conduct "an investigation, a | | | | deportation. |
| lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and | | | | Like the F-class visa, a Chinese tourist visa can be |
| culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or | | | | granted as a Single-entry, Double-entry or |
| internship for a period of no more than six months." | | | | Multiple-entry permit. The times of validity are the |
| Any visitor who falls into one of these categories must | | | | same for both the L-class and the F-class. |
| apply for a Chinese business visa. A Chinese | | | | China visa application forms are the same for both |
| business visa is also known as an "F" class visa. | | | | Chinese business visas and Chinese tourist visas. |
| The Chinese embassy defines a "pleasure" trip as | | | | The form has a section dedicated to the nature of a |
| coming to China "for sightseeing or visiting family | | | | particular trip or entry/entries. Several categories are |
| members or friends or for other personal affairs." | | | | listed for "nature of visit" to China. Applicants must |
| U.S. citizens/residents in this category must obtain a | | | | check off which category/categories apply to a |
| Chinese tourist visa. This classification is known as | | | | particular trip/trips. An applicant who is unsure what |
| an "L" visa. | | | | type of China visa he/she requires need only check |
| Chinese business visas ("F" visas) are granted in three | | | | off the appropriate box(es). The Chinese consulate |
| types. Single-entry visas are typically valid for three | | | | will issue the appropriate visa in response. |