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15 July 2015

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[Life] What is a Chinese Visa?

Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a diplomatic, courtesy, service or ordinary visa to a foreigner according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type. Citizens of most countries are required to obtain Chinese visas before entering China mainland.
There are 12 categories of ordinary China visas, which are marked with the letters C (crew visa), D (permanent residence visa), F (for persons engaged in exchanges, visits, inspections), G (transit visa), J (journalist visa), L (tourist visa), M (business visa), Q (Chinese family reunion), R (for high-level talents), S (foreign family visit), X (student visa) and Z (work visa). J, Q, S, X respectively have two subcategories, such as J1, J2, X1, X2. X1 will be issued to people for long-term study. X2 will be issued to people for short-term study. The same is true with J, Q and S visas.

Source: China Internet Information Center