| Getting a Chinese visa is necessary for any U.S citizen | | | | Residence Permit. The Residence Permit is issued by |
| resident intending to travel to China. The type of | | | | the public security bureau in the town where you will |
| Chinese travel visa that you will need depends upon | | | | be living/studying. Your allowable length of stay in the |
| the nature of your trip. It's important that all travelers | | | | country will be determined at that time. Usually the |
| bear the correct documentation, including the proper | | | | Residence Permit is issued for the length of the |
| class of visa, in order to enter the country. | | | | program of study. Students with an X-visa must |
| Six different types of Chinese travel visas are | | | | supply proof that they are registered as students and |
| available. Different types of travel to the country | | | | proof of the length of the program of study. |
| require different classes of visas. Anyone getting a | | | | Sometimes students can study in China with an F-visa. |
| Chinese visa must apply for the correct type. The | | | | Stipulations apply and must be clarified with the |
| following is a list of those classes which apply to | | | | Chinese consulate. Students are only allowed to study |
| American tourists and what they mean for you and | | | | up to six months with an F-visa. |
| your trip: | | | | 5) Crew Visa (C-visa): This is a special type of permit |
| 1) Tourist visa (L-visa): This is the most commonly | | | | issued only to workers such as airline crews, pilots and |
| applied for type of Chinese travel visa. Tourist visas | | | | stewards who enter and exit the country periodically |
| are issued to American citizen/residents who are | | | | for work purposes. Extended stays are not usually |
| traveling to the country for the purposes of | | | | permitted with C-visas other than those required for |
| sightseeing, visiting friends or family or for other | | | | work. |
| personal reasons. Tourists possessing an L-visa | | | | 6) J-1/J-2 Visa: This type of visitor's permit is issued to |
| cannot conduct business or work while in the country. | | | | news crews and correspondents who come to China |
| 2) Business visa (F-visa): The F-visa is the second | | | | for short term stays for the purposes of news |
| most commonly-issued Chinese travel visa. Any | | | | coverage/reporting. These visas are also issued to |
| person intending to conduct business in the country | | | | dependents of news reporters and crews working in |
| must carry a valid F-visa. "Business" refers to | | | | China. Allowable length of stay is usually determined on |
| conducting "an investigation, a lecture, to do business, | | | | a case-by-case basis and generally. J-1 and J-2 visas |
| [participate in] scientific-technological and culture | | | | generally cannot be used for long-term stays (more |
| exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internship." | | | | than a few months.) |
| Stay in China on a business visa is limited to six | | | | Anyone getting a Chinese visa must fill out the proper |
| months or less. The F-visa does not allow a visitor to | | | | application form. Chinese travel visa applications are |
| obtain employment within the country. | | | | available at passport processing outlets, online |
| 3) Employment/Work visa (Z-visa): This type of permit | | | | passport agencies and U.S. Post offices. Those who |
| allows a foreigner to work in China. The foreigner's | | | | are unsure of what type of visa they require should |
| family members would also be issued a Z-visa. | | | | contact the nearest Chinese consulate office. Citizens |
| 4) Student visa (X-visa): Foreigners who want to study | | | | getting a Chinese visa- must first hold a valid U.S. |
| in China can obtain an X-visa. This permit must be | | | | passport. |
| transferred within thirty days of arrival in China to a | | | | |