Documents for a China visa in 2021

Before traveling to China, you should decide whether a visa to China is needed for Russians in 2021 and how you can get it. According to the current immigration legislation of the PRC, obtaining a visa to China is a mandatory procedure for all Russians who intend to visit this state. Exceptions are the cities of Hong Kong and Macau, where you can enter for 14 and 30 days, respectively, without prior permission.

Almost all types of visas to China are issued independently through the Visa Center or the Consulate General (Consular Section in Moscow) of the Chinese Embassy. They are located in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Khabarovsk, Irkutsk. For those who decide to apply for a visa without refusals, quickly and inexpensively, we recommend the Online Visa Center.

China is a developing tourist destination, the flow of Russian tourists is growing every year

Visa-free entry

There are situations when you can enter China without a visa. There are territories where you can stay without a permit for some time under certain conditions, while in other places you are allowed to obtain a so-called visa to the PRC on arrival.

Stamp upon arrival

You can get to China without a pre-obtained visa in a group that is pre-compiled of several people (the rule does not apply to individual visits). In this case, group lists of citizens who have the right to such a procedure are first submitted to the border service; the lists are sent by a Chinese travel company. Such entry documents are given for groups of more than two people, they can be obtained by arriving at Beijing airport or on the island. Hainan. With this permit, you are allowed to stay on the territory of the state for no more than 21 days.

You can get such a stamp in China without purchasing a tour package; many companies, for some money, simply include additional people on tourist lists so that the latter have the opportunity not to issue an entry document in advance.

For residents of border areas

A special regime for obtaining a Chinese visa has been established for those Russians who live in regions bordering China. If you have an invitation from the Chinese side, then permission to cross the border is issued directly at the border checkpoint (not all checkpoints fall under the rule; information must be clarified at the Consulates).

Visa-free transit

If the traveler arrives at the international airports of Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Dalian, Chongqing, Shenyang, Kunming, Xi'an, Guilin, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Xiamen and plans to fly within 72 hours to other countries through the same air hubs, then he does not need to first obtain a transit visa to China. In such situations, certain rules must be followed:

• If a passenger has arrived in the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou or Chongqing, then he is allowed to enter the city, but is prohibited from leaving its boundaries;
• You cannot transfer to another type of transport (bus, train).

Sometimes there are flights in which the arrival is at one airport and the departure is from another. In such situations, you can also do without a transit visa, but there are mandatory requirements:

• The flight is served by one air carrier;
• The flight is operated by different airlines, but all parts of the flight go under a single booking code and are entered on one form;
• The airline is scheduled to arrive at one airport for refueling and depart from another.

In this case, a 24-hour transit corridor (exit from the international airport area) may be allowed if the appropriate boarding passes are presented, but the final decision will be made by the visa officer.

Visa-free transit rules also apply to residents of Ukraine (the rule does not apply to Kazakhstan).

Types of entry documents

Any Chinese visa for Russians is issued depending on the purpose of their stay in the state. Documents are divided into several types, each assigned a specific category.

Tourist (L)

This is a tourist visa to China for Russians; it is requested if the purpose of the trip is to visit attractions in which the PRC is very rich. A very large number of compatriots receive a tourist visa, as this direction is gaining popularity.

China can offer not only a beach holiday on the island. Hainan, but also interesting excursions and scenic walking routes. Those travelers who want to visit the country's national parks or admire the largest panda nursery in the world must apply for a Chinese tourist visa for Russians.

Business visa (M)

This is a business visa to China, which is suitable for all possible types of business activity that the applicant intends to develop in the PRC. Due to the growth of business and trade relations between countries, the number of people wishing to open a business in China has also increased. Traders, entrepreneurs, and any people who intend to make a profit must have a business visa to China. Such activities can only be carried out with a business visa; using other categories of documents can result in a fine and a lifelong ban on entry into China.

Working (Z)

A work visa to China for Russians will be required if the applicant plans to come to China and work under a contract with a Chinese employer (or in a Chinese branch of a foreign company). There is also a special subtype of work visa, which is assigned category R. It is issued to highly valuable specialists who, according to the Chinese authorities, have unique and valuable skills and knowledge. Absolutely all categories of employees need to obtain a work visa to China for Russians .

Transit visa (G)

This is a transit visa to China, which is obtained in advance in Russia if the conditions for visa-free transit are not met.

Student visa (X1/X2)

A student visa to China will be required if you plan to study in China. The X1 student visa allows you to come for a short study/course/training, and the X2 allows you to stay in the country for a longer period and already study at a university/school.

Visitor visa (F)

A Chinese visitor visa is required to be issued by those persons who enter the PRC for the purposes of study visits, study tours, exchange, business trips, and so on.

For journalists (J1/J2)

According to this document, foreign journalists, as well as other employees of foreign media, are allowed to enter the state.

For relatives (Q1/Q2)

This entry permit to China is issued for those who want to come to visit their relatives. Also suitable for the purpose of family reunification (if the family member is a Chinese citizen or a person with permanent residence status).

The concept of “family member” includes: parents, spouses, children, grandparents, spouses of sons and daughters, grandchildren, parents of wives and husbands.

For foreign guests (S1/S2)

A visa to China of this type gives the right to visit foreigners who legally reside/work/study in China, as well as for other private purposes. Considered a guest entry permit.

For airline employees (C)

Issued only to team members of international aircraft crews.

Permanent Residence (D)

According to such a document, a foreigner has the right to reside in China. Another name is permanent residence.

Latest updates

China will ease entry restrictions on foreigners vaccinated with a Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccine, some Chinese embassies say. This visa facilitation applies only to applicants who have been vaccinated with Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines (either received two doses of Chinese-made vaccines with an agreed interval between them, or received a single dose of a Chinese-made vaccine at least 14 days before submitting the application) and received a vaccination certificate. Proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result and a health and travel declaration form are no longer required to apply for a visa. The new rules have already come into force in some places on March 15, 2021. In addition, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the country plans to issue international electronic medical certificates and implement mutual recognition of other countries' nucleic acid tests and vaccinations to ensure a "healthy, safe and regulated new order of cross-border people exchange."

• China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry of non-Chinese citizens again from a number of countries, according to announcements on the official website of their Chinese embassies, including Bangladesh, Belgium, Ethiopia, France, India, Italy, the Philippines, Russia, the UK and Ukraine. Those who will not be allowed to enter China include holders of Chinese visas and/or residence permits (for work, personal affairs and reunion), even if they were still valid at the time of the announcement by Chinese embassies. Relevant Chinese embassies and consulates will no longer issue certified medical declaration forms to such travelers. However, the latest ban on entry of non-Chinese citizens with visas issued after November 3, 2021 will not be affected.

• Earlier in September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration announced that foreign nationals holding a valid Chinese residence permit for work, personal affairs and reunion can enter China without applying for new visas - starting from 0 am on September 28, 2021 of the year. If these 3 categories of residence permits held by foreign nationals have expired (during the period from the introduction of the travel ban on March 28, 2021). Holders may apply for relevant visas by submitting expired residence permits and related materials to Chinese embassies or consulates, provided that the purpose of the holder's visit to China remains unchanged. All other measures are outlined in the March 26 announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration to temporarily suspend the entry of foreign nationals holding valid Chinese visas or residence permits.
• On August 10, 2021, the Chinese Embassy in Denmark announced that China is now allowing foreign citizens from 36 European countries to directly apply for new Chinese visas if they meet certain eligibility criteria.

Read more CHINA NEWS China's labor market picks up, demand for study abroad remains high
(China Briefing) - On March 26, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (MFA) announced that it will suspend the entry of most foreign citizens into the country from March 28, 2020 . Many foreigners who have residence permits and work in China are now unable to return. Naturally, the most frequently asked questions concern how they will be able to return to China and how to manage the status of their visas, work permits and residence permits.

Required documents

There is a general list of documents for a visa to China, as well as an additional one depending on the type of permit. The requirements for the papers are not very strict; collecting them usually does not present any difficulties. The main list is below.

1. International passport. You need the original, valid for six months after leaving China ;
2. A photocopy of those pages of the passport where personal data is recorded and there is a photo;
3. A properly completed application form (can be downloaded in .doc format directly from the Embassy’s website from the “Download Forms” section);
4. One photo 3 by 4 or 3.5 by 4.5 cm;
5. Photocopies of previously issued Chinese visa stamps.

Further, depending on the category, additional documents will be required for a visa to China.

For L (tourism)

1. Confirmation of airline tickets and hotel reservations, or a written invitation from the Chinese host with information: name, surname and other personal details of the invitee, dates of visit, place of visit, and so on;
2. In the case of an invitation - a letter with information about the inviting party with address, telephone number, and other data on official letterhead with an original seal.

For M (business)

1. Documents with information about the visit: purpose, dates, places of visit, sources of covering expenses;
2. An invitation from a Chinese partner or another type of invitation with full information about the invitee;
3. A letter containing all information about the inviters;
4. A copy of the inviter's Chinese ID card, or permanent residence permit, or foreign passport (if it is a private person).

For Z (work)

1. Provide a work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources;
2. Another work permit issued by the State Administration for Foreigners;
3. An invitation from a Chinese employer;
4. If the company is foreign (Chinese branch), then a Certificate of Registration of the Representative Office will be required;
5. A document giving the right to commercial activity from the inviting party;
6. For oil companies - an invitation to conduct offshore operations related to oil.

For G (transit)

For a transit visa, you will need a ticket for any transport confirming departure to a third country.

For X1/X2 (student)

1. Original and copy of the document confirming admission to the educational institution;
2. Original and copy of student visa application (Form JW201 or JW202).

For F (guest)

1. An invitation from an authorized organization with comprehensive information about the invitee;
2. Information about the inviting Chinese party;
3. Information about the details of the visit: purpose, dates, financial support, description of connections between the parties, and so on.

For J1/J2 (journalists)

1. Notification letter from the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
2. A letter from the employer who employs the journalist.

For Q1/Q2 (by invitation)

1. Invitation with information about the invitee;
2. Information about the person who is inviting (including a copy of his current ID);
3. Evidence of family ties between the parties.

For S1/S2 (by invitation of foreigners)

Similar to category Q1/Q2 with appropriate adjustments for specifics.

For C (airline employees)

1. Letter of guarantee from the air carrier company.

For D (for permanent residence)

For D, you will need one special document for a visa - the original, as well as one photocopy of a document confirming the right to permanent residence, which is issued by the relevant Ministry.

For all foreigners who enter the PRC with documents of types D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, Z, a mandatory rule applies: within thirty days from the moment of crossing the border, they must contact the local (territorial) departments of the public security authorities that are in charge of entry affairs / check out, and check in. Ignoring the rule is considered a violation and may result in permanent expulsion from the state.

Filling out the China visa application form

The China visa application form is also available in English. You need to answer all questions, carefully indicate your personal data, sign in the required places and attach to the collected package of documents. It is necessary to pay special attention to the correct filling out of the form. It is very convenient that the China visa application form can be filled out in Russian .

Visa to China for residents of the Far East

Residents of regions bordering China - Primorsky, Khabarovsk, Trans-Baikal Territories and the Amur and Chita regions - have separate bonuses. If they have an invitation from Chinese or Russian travel agencies, they can apply for a visa directly at the ground checkpoint in Manzhouli, Heihe, Suifenhe and Hongchun. It will also be necessary to present a passport and documents confirming the fact of residence in the regions. At these checkpoints single-entry visas are issued for 15 days and multiple-entry visas for up to 180 days.

Do-it-yourself registration process

You can learn how to apply for a visa to China yourself from the numerous experiences of tourists who have visited the Celestial Empire. Entry documents are made by many agencies (intermediaries) who have a service for issuing visas to the PRC of any type, even without providing a full package of papers. This route will be convenient for those citizens who want to obtain a type of visa of a certain category, but they, for example, do not have the full package of necessary documents.

If the task is to obtain a visa to China on your own, then this is quite possible. You can learn how to get a visa to China on your own and without resorting to the services of intermediaries from the algorithm described below:

1. Determine the type of entry visa requested;
2. Collect all documents: first obtain the necessary permits, invitations, certificates, and so on;
3. Download and fill out the application form;
4. Hand over the entire package to the Consular Section of the Embassy or the Visa Center (reception is only available on weekdays, from Monday to Friday);
5. Get a passport with a stamp.

There is nothing difficult in obtaining a visa to China on your own; the percentage of approvals for applications is very high.

How to get a business visa to China on your own: step-by-step instructions

An application for a business visa should be submitted to the consular department of the Embassy only after receiving a letter of invitation.

Having received the required document and collected the required papers, the applicant goes to the consular department at the diplomatic mission. The addresses and telephone numbers of offices involved in issuing visas in Russia can be found here.

Step-by-step instructions for applying for a visa:

1. Submission of biometric data (if a visa is issued for the first time).
2. Payment of the consular fee. The receipt must be attached to the steel documents.
3. Passing the paper and having a short interview. There is no pre-registration for receiving documents, so you will have to stand in line.
4. The reply is in process. Notification of visa readiness is sent by email or sent via SMS to the phone number specified in the application form.

You must pick up the document in person.

Chinese diplomatic missions are not located throughout Russia, so it is more convenient for residents of certain regions to apply for a document through the Visa Center - Pony Express.

The website https://pony-visa.com/ contains all the information on the location of visa centers in all cities and regions of the country.

China visa for a child

The procedure for obtaining a China visa for children is almost the same as for their parents. Additionally you will need:

1. Visa application form, which is filled out by parents;
2. A copy of the birth certificate;
3. The original permission to travel outside the Russian Federation, timely certified by a notary, signed by one/both parents (copies of the parent/parents’ passports will be required);
4. A copy of the entry permit of the person accompanying the child (if the child is traveling without parents).

Do I need a visa to travel to China?

Do Russians need a visa to China? Citizens of the Russian Federation are required to register it. However, there are exceptions to this requirement.

Using the visa-free regime, Russians have the right to:

1. In Hong Kong (no more than 14 days), Macau (no more than 30 days), Suifenhe (no more than 15 days). Traveling outside of administrative units is prohibited.
2. In Hainan (up to 21 days). A prerequisite is to come as part of a group of tourists. You also cannot move to other cities.
3. In the transit zone. The rule only applies to people traveling by plane. Such passengers can stay in China for no longer than 72 hours.

Residents of regions bordering China have visa-free privileges. Among them: Amur, Irkutsk, Chita regions, as well as Transbaikal, Primorsky and Khabarovsk territories. At the customs checkpoint, you must show a passport with registration in the specified regions and an invitation from a citizen of the People's Republic of China.

In all other cases, it is necessary to prepare documents for obtaining a visa in the usual manner.

Price

To obtain the document, all applicants pay a visa fee. The current cost of a visa to China is determined by two factors: the urgency of processing and the number of permitted entries.

Information on how much a visa to China costs can be found in the table.

Document type	Single entry	Double entry	Multiple entry
PRICE
Regular review times	1500 rubles	3000 rubles	4500 rubles
Expedited processing times (urgent visa)	2400 rubles	3900 rubles	5400 rubles
Express review	3600 rubles	5100 rubles	6600 rubles

Along with the cost of a visa to China, a bank commission of at least 2.5% is charged for each person.

Visa cost

The cost of obtaining a document to enter China depends on several conditions - the type of visa, its validity period and how urgently it needs to be issued.

• a tourist visa can be obtained from 4,400 rubles;
• annual from 15,500 rubles;
• business visa from 4900 rubles;
• reusable from 13,500 rubles.

It takes 5-10 business days to review documents. It is possible to speed up the process for an additional fee:

• 2000 rubles for an urgent visa (valid up to 48 hours);
• 4600 rubles for an express visa (up to 24 hours).

In addition, during the visa application process, a person pays a consular fee:

• single-entry visa – 3300 rubles;
• double entry – 6600 rubles;
• multiple 9900 rubles.

Please note that a bank commission is deducted from the visa fee. Its size is 2.5% of the amount. It is best to always check the latest information on how much a particular visa to China costs on the embassy’s website.

conclusions

Before planning a trip to China, you need to know that Russians need a visa to China in all situations except air transit through the country .

• In China, you can only stay in certain cities for 72 hours without a visa if you are transiting through the state;
• The cost of a China visa depends on the number of entries allowed;
• The entry document can be issued independently quickly and without any special difficulties;
• It is better not to violate the immigration regime, this may be followed by forced deportation, and in the future such a violator will no longer enter the country;
• For purposes other than tourism, it is better to issue an entry visa of the appropriate purpose (type), if all the documents are available.

How to get a visa for a child

A China visa for children is issued for persons under the age of 18, and according to the same rules as for adults. For those traveling with children, the main package of documents must include:

• A photocopy of the child's birth certificate;
• A photocopy of the general passports of both parents (legal representatives);
• A photocopy of the accompanying person's visa (if it has already been issued);
• Notarized consent from both parents or legal representatives when the child travels as part of a group or with one of the relatives.

Contacts of Chinese Embassies and Consulates in Russia

Chinese Embassy in Moscow

• Address: Moscow, Druzhby street, building 6;
• Telephone (consular section);
• Acceptance of visa documents: Monday-Friday from 09:00 to 12:00.

Consulate of China in St. Petersburg

• Address: St. Petersburg, Griboyedov Canal embankment, building 134;
• Phones: +7 (812) 713-80-09;
• Acceptance of visa documents: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 09:30 to 11:30.

Consulate of China in Yekaterinburg

• Address: Ekaterinburg, Tchaikovsky street, building 45;
• Telephone;
• Acceptance of visa documents: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 09:30 to 12:00.

How to apply for a visa to China yourself

You can independently resolve the issue of obtaining a visa to China by contacting the Embassy in Moscow or one of the consulates in the cities:

• Ekaterinburg, at the address: Tchaikovsky St., 45;
• St. Petersburg, at the address: Griboyedov Canal Embankment, building 134;
• Khabarovsk, at the address: Sovetskaya st., 1 building 5;
• Irkutsk, at the address: Karla Marksa, no. 40;
• Vladivostok, at the address: Krygina st., 3.

Reception is carried out on a first-come, first-served basis without prior registration.

You must submit documents to the consulate that serves your registration address. If you belong to another consular district, you will be refused to submit documents.

The applicant receives the completed visa personally. Although you can submit documents through the popular courier service PONY EXPRESS. When submitting through them, it is possible to track the status of your visa application. Service employees will check all submitted documents before sending.

Cost and processing time

How much you have to pay for a visa is a standard question when planning a trip.

The processing time and price for issuing a visa depend on how the citizen submits documents through whom and whether a visa to China is urgently needed. If you independently submit a package of documents to the Embassy or Consulate, a visa will be issued after 10 days, less often - after 5 days.

Urgent submission provides for the visa to be processed within two to three days. With express processing, the visa will be ready within 24 hours.

When contacting intermediary agencies or visa centers, a Russian will receive a visa within 3 to 7 working days.

Consulate fees for transit, commercial or tourist visas:

• Single-entry visa – 3300 rubles;
• Double entry visa – 6600 rubles;
• Multiple visa – 9900 rubles.

The additional fee for urgency in 2-3 days is 2000 rubles, for express consideration - 4600 rubles.

A visa to Hong Kong will cost a Russian citizen 2,000 rubles.

When applying for a visa to China for a child, the consular fee is paid in full.

Payment is made using a bank card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro) through a terminal in the building of the Moscow Embassy. At other consulates, payment is only in cash. In addition to all fees, the applicant must pay a 2.5% fee.