Your visa: A brief introduction
All travelers to China are required to hold a valid visa (except for the nationalities of Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Japan, they can stay in China for a maximum of 15 days without a Visa). There are nine categories of Chinese visas. Visitors to the China Sourcing Fair will need to apply for a Business Visa (type F). This type of visa is issued to foreigners who are invited to China for research, lectures, business, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges, short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of less than six months.
Please note: As of March 30, 2004, all U.S. citizens will need to complete their China visa application before departure. Visa applications upon entry to China will no longer be accepted.
Basic requirements
When applying for a visa you will need the following documents:
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| 1. | Invitation letter from an authorized inviting Chinese company. See below how we can help you apply for this letter. |
| 2. | Original passport valid for six months with at least one blank page for the visa. |
| 3. | Completed visa application form with passport photograph attached. Many China consulates and embassies have a downloadable application form on their website. See the application form section below. |
Invitation letter - the first step to apply for a China business visa
Before you apply for your China business visa, you must have a letter of invitation from an authorized inviting Chinese company. If the letter is from a foreign company, such as a joint-venture company, then the letter must have the approval stamp from the local branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A faxed letter is also acceptable.
Apply for the invitation letter
Your passport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the expiry date of your China visa. You'll need at least one blank page in your passport for the visa. Your country's embassy or consulate can usually add additional pages to your passport if need be.
Fees
Upon receipt of your visa invitation letter from Global Sources (see above), you must submit your completed visa application form to your local China consulate or representative office. These fees will be your personal responsibility.
Single-entry visa: US$50
Double-entry visa: US$75
Multiple-entry visa for six months: US$100
Multiple-entry visa for twelve months: US$150
Validity
A business visa is valid for up to six months and can be issued for multiple entries.
Processing time
Regular processing time is four business days. You may request expedited processing. Additional fees of US$30 for one working day and US$20 for three working days will be charged.
For a visa application form and more information, please consult your local China consulate or representative office. Most have a downloadable application form on their website.
China Consulates and Embassies
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