Categories of visas

Tourist visa (Category L) is issued to applicants who plan to visit China for the purpose of tourism, sightseeing and acquaintance with the cultural values of this ancient country.

This visa has several subtypes:

L-3-30 – single-entry tourist visa is issued for 3 months the duration of stay on 30 days.
L-3-30-2 – double-entry tourist visa is issued for 3 months with each entry on 30 days.
L-6-30-2 – double-entry tourist visa is issued for 6 months with each entry on 30 days (this type of visa is issued only with the approval of the consul and it is quite rare)

Business visa (category M) is issued to the applicants with the purpose of the trip of different kind of talks and meetings with business partners, building commercial ties.

This visa has several subtypes:

M-3-30 / 60/90 – single-entry business visa is issued for 3 months and the duration of stay on 30/60/90 days (see more information in the article "List of required documents").
M-3 / 6-30 / 60 / 90-2 - double-entry business visa is issued for 3/6 months and the period of stay on 30/60/90 days (see more information in the article "List of required documents").
M-6 / 12-30 / 60/90 - multiple business visa is issued for 6/12 months and the period of stay on 30/60/90 days (see more information in the article "List of required documents").

Non-business visa (culture) (Category F) is issued to the applicants with the purpose of visit various scientific conferences, lectures, exchange programs.

This visa has several subtypes:

F-3-30 / 60/90 – single-entry visa is issued for 3 months and the duration of stay on 30/60/90 days (see more information in the article "List of required documents").
F-3 / 6-30 / 60 / 90-2 – double-entry visa is issued for 3/6 months and the period of stay on 30/60/90 days (see more information in the article "List of required documents").
F-6 / 12-30 / 60/90 - multiple visa is issued for 6/12 months and the period of stay on 30/60/90 days (see more information in the article "List of required documents").

Student visa (X1 / X2 category) is issued to the applicants with the purpose of the trip of training in Chinese universities or language courses. The visa can be issued for a period of at least 180 days or 180 days, depending on the set of the documents.

This visa can be issued only once and it has several subtypes:

Х1-3-30/60/90/120/150 - single-entry student visa for 3 months with the period of stay on 30/60/90/120/150 days, according to the invitation.
Х2-3-180/000 - single-entry student visa for 3 months with the period of stay on 180 or 000 days (the number of days determined by the Chinese Ministry of Migration).

Work visa (Category Z) issued to the applicants with the purpose of work in China with official registration. This visa can only be issued once and for 3 months with the period of stay on 000 days (the number of days determined by the Chinese Ministry of Migration).

Treatment visa (Category S2) issued to the applicants with the purpose to pass a medical course at the invitation of Chinese institutions. This visa is issued for 3 months with duration of stay on 60 to 180 days depending on the invitation. If the number of days is less than 30, then the Embassy will issue the tourist visa (Category L). If the purpose of trip is disabled child treatment accompanied by 2 person specified in the invitation, all members of trip won't pay the visa fee, as well as the surcharge for the consideration under the urgent tariff.

Friends'/Relatives' Visits visa (Category L) is issued to the applicants with the purpose of visit their friends / relatives who are working / studying in China or citizens of this country or citizens of other countries with legal stay in China. The Embassy of China considers this purpose of trip as tourism and Category L visa. So this visa has the same status and opportunities as well as the usual tourist visa.

Crew member visa (category C) is issued to the applicants who are members of the crews of international transport companies. Sometimes this purpose of trip may consider as Category G (Transit visa), if applicants need to spend only 2-3 days in China. Only Consul can make a choice of visa category.

Transit visa (Category G) is issued to the applicants who will have transit trip through China.