Business Visa Application Requirements for a China Visa
Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
- Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- If requesting multiple entries, the passport must contain at least two blank facing visa pages, there can be no stamps or amendment endorsement type on the pages
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact A Briggs at 800-806-0581 for further details.
Photographs
You must provide one color, passport-type photograph that meets the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last six months, against an all white background, and printed on high-quality photo paper
- Be 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide exactly. Note many passport photo vendors provide standard photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression, eyes open, ears visible
- No background light or shadow over your face
- You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes
- You should not wear any garment identical to the photo background
- Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples
Letter of Invitation
You must provide a letter of invitation. Use the included template in this kit as a guide to the content and format of the invitation. All components are of the template are required.
Business Cover Letter
You are required to provide a Business Cover Letter from your U.S.-based company. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a U.S. mailing address. Use the included sample Business Cover Letter to complete your letter.In addition to the language provided in the sample, your Business Cover Letter must:
- The letter must be addressed to: Embassy of China
Proof of State Residency
You must provide a proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front of your driver's license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:
- Display your name as it appears on your passport
- Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application
Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.
A Briggs Order Form
Provide the A Briggs Order Form included in this kit.
Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. The application must:
- Be completed online
- Include answers for all required fields
- List the name of the traveler exactly as it is written in the passport
- Be printed single-sided
- Be dated and signed in blue or black ink
- Be enclosed with all other documents in your visa application kit
- Have your signature on the declaration confirmation page, as well as in section 9.1A
A Briggs provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://abriggs.com/forms?formname=China Application Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.
Former PRC Nationals or Individuals Born in Chinese Territories
If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:
- You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
- You must provide a copy of your most recent China visa and a copy of the passport in which the visa was issued
- If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original China passport and a copy of your Green Card, and a copy of your Naturalization Certificate
- If you were adopted from China you must also include a copy of your adoption papers showing adoptive parents names, name change, and photo with parents (do not include the original papers). If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization certificate and U.S. birth certificate.
Previous Visas
If you have been granted a China visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued China visa. If the visa is not located in your current passport, you must submit the original passport containing the previous China visa.If you no longer have the passport with the previous visa, you must provide a signed statement outlining that you no longer have that passport and what happened to it.
U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries
U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport will need to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. A Briggs will be unable to assist you with your visa request.
NGO/Non-Profit Workers
If applying for a business visa, you must provide an employer letter and personal statement. Processing time varies on a case by case basis. If your employer is an NGO or nonprofit your application will require additional review by the China Visa Section.
Applicants with Criminal Record
Travelers with a criminal record will be required to appear in person at the consulate in order to provide biometrics.
"Where You Stay" Form
You must provide a completed and signed "Where You Stay" form included in this kit.
Military Statement
If you have ever served in the military, are in active military duty, are on the reserves or retired from the military, the Chinese Consulate request a separate personal statement describing your current/past military service. Use the letter template included in the kit to complete this requirement. The letter must include the following information:
- Address your letter to Consulate of the People's Republic of China
- Your Full name
- Job Description in Military/Rank
- Training
- Complete service date (start/end dates)
- Work Frequency, etc.
- Indicate if you are in the military reserves or not.
- If in the military reserves, when you started and when you will finish
- How often you report
- Signed and Dated
The dates on your statement must match the dates on your application form for question #8.8 and #8.12. The military information including dates of service must also be included in the Employment History section (3.2) of your application form.
Tourist Application Requirements for a China Visa
Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
- Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- If requesting multiple entries, the passport must contain at least two blank facing visa pages, there can be no stamps or amendment endorsement type on the pages
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact A Briggs at 800-806-0581 for further details.
Photographs
You must provide one color, passport-type photograph that meets the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last six months, against an all white background, and printed on high-quality photo paper
- Be 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide exactly. Note many passport photo vendors provide standard photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression, eyes open, ears visible
- No background light or shadow over your face
- You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes
- You should not wear any garment identical to the photo background
- Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples
Letter of Invitation
To fulfill the tourist visa invite requirement, you must select one of the following options:
- A copy of your round trip airline ticket, or
- Itinerary and airline confirmation: A copy of your day-by-day cruise itinerary, or if on a tour, your tour itinerary. In addition you must provide a copy of your confirmed airline reservations showing all segments of your flights from state of residence in the U.S. to China and returning to the U.S. to your state of residence. Your itinerary and flight information must include your full name as it appears on your passport, or
- A copy of an official letter of invitation from a governmental agency or individual sponsor. If you obtain a letter of invitation from an individual sponsor in China, the invitation must include the following:
- Your name, gender, date of birth
- Purpose of applicant's visit
- Date of arrival and departure
- Places to visit, specific names of cities required
- Details of your flight itinerary and hotel reservation
- State who will bear the cost of the applicant's lodging while in China
- Information on the sponsor: name of the unit, phone number, address, copy of sponsor's passport or ID
- Have company or organizations seal/stamp
If your invitation is from a non-governmental sponsor your letter must include your job title/occupation, passport number with issue and expiration date. The relationship of the applicant and sponsor must also be stated. If the individual inviting you is in China on a work permit then you must provide a copy of the inviter's residence permit
The invitation may be a copy, fax, or printout but the consular office may request the original.
Proof of State Residency
You must provide a proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front of your driver's license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:
- Display your name as it appears on your passport
- Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application
Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.
A Briggs Order Form
Provide the A Briggs Order Form included in this kit.
Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. The application must:
- Be completed online
- Include answers for all required fields
- List the name of the traveler exactly as it is written in the passport
- Be printed single-sided
- Be dated and signed in blue or black ink
- Be enclosed with all other documents in your visa application kit
- Have your signature on the declaration confirmation page, as well as in section 9.1A
A Briggs provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://abriggs.com/forms?formname=China Application Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.
Travel Record
You must provide a copy of the travel record form included in this kit. The form must:
- Include all countries that you have visited in the last 28 days
- Be signed
- Include entry/exit dates of each travel
Former PRC Nationals or Individuals Born in Chinese Territories
If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:
- You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
- You must provide a copy of your most recent China visa and a copy of the passport in which the visa was issued
- If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original China passport and a copy of your Green Card, and a copy of your Naturalization Certificate
- If you were adopted from China you must also include a copy of your adoption papers showing adoptive parents names, name change, and photo with parents (do not include the original papers). If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization certificate and U.S. birth certificate.
Applicants Under the Age of 18
All minors under the age of 18 traveling to China must:
- Provide a copy of their birth certificate
- Provide a copy of both parents' passports or drivers' licenses
- Provide a copy of the parents' proof of U.S. residency status (if not U.S. citizens)
- Provide a notarized letter of consent from both parents (if the parents are not accompanying the minor on the trip) that states the child has permission to travel. To access a sample consent letter, follow this link: https://abriggs.com/forms?formname=ParentalConsent.pdf or type the address into your browser
- On Page 4 (Part 4) of the application, both parents must sign Part 4 and print the name of the minor
- On Page 4 (Part 5) of the application, one parent's information must be filled in and that parent must sign Part 5
Media Professionals and Religious Professionals
If you are a religious professional, media professional or employed by a media company, even if you are not traveling for business purposes, you must submit both a personal statement and a letter from your employer on company letterhead indicating that you are not traveling on company business and will not be performing any media or religious related work.
Cruise Passengers
Cruise ship passengers: You must list the city where your ship docks in China in the Chinese address section of the application form.
Previous Visas
If you have been granted a China visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued China visa. If the visa is not located in your current passport, you must submit the original passport containing the previous China visa.
U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries
U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport will need to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. A Briggs will be unable to assist you with your visa request.
NGO/Non-Profit Workers
If applying for a tourist visa, you must provide an employer letter and personal statement. Processing time varies on a case by case basis. If your employer is a NGO or nonprofit your application will require additional review by the China Visa Section.
Applicants with Criminal Record
Travelers with a criminal record will be required to appear in person at the consulate in order to provide biometrics.
"Where You Stay" Form
You must provide a completed and signed "Where You Stay" form included in this kit.
Military Statement
If you have ever served in the military, are in active military duty, are on the reserves or retired from the military, the Chinese Consulate request a separate personal statement describing your current/past military service. Use the letter template included in the kit to complete this requirement. The letter must include the following information:
- Address your letter to Consulate of the People's Republic of China
- Your Full name
- Job Description in Military/Rank
- Training
- Complete service date (start/end dates)
- Work Frequency, etc.
- Indicate if you are in the military reserves or not.
- If in the military reserves, when you started and when you will finish
- How often you report
- Signed and Dated
The dates on your statement must match the dates on your application form for question #8.8 and #8.12. The military information including dates of service must also be included in the Employment History section (3.2) of your application form.