A visa is a type of entry permit issued by a country’s authorized government agencies in accordance with its laws and regulations for foreigners entering, exiting or transiting through the country. According to international law and practices, any sovereign state has the right to independently decide whether to allow a foreigner to enter or exit from its borders, and whether to issue a visa, reject a visa application or revoke an issued visa according to its national laws.

In accordance with the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners and other relevant regulations, Chinese visa offices abroad are entitled to make the decision on visa type, number of entries, period of validity, and duration of stay, and to decide whether to reject a visa application or revoke an issued visa. Except for cases where visas are exempted according to relevant agreements and regulations, foreigners are required to apply for and obtain Chinese visas before entering China.

Foreigners traveling to the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, and the Macao SAR of China are required to apply for corresponding visas separately. 

Basic concept of visa

1. Validity

The entry validity period of a visa ("ENTER BEFORE") refers to the valid time range for the visa holder to enter the country. Unless certified by the issuing agency, the visa will take effect from the date of issuance and will expire at 24:00 Beijing time on the date of expiration. If there are still unused entry times, the holder can enter before the expiration date (including the day).

2. Entries

The number of entries of a visa ("ENTRIES") refers to the times that the holder can enter the country within the validity period of the visa. A visa whose entries has been exhausted or entries has not been exhausted but the validity has expired is considered an invalid visa. In that case, if you want to go to China, you must apply for a new visa. Otherwise, you will be refused entry.

3. Duration of Stay

The duration of each stay of a visa ("DURATION OF EACH STAY") refers to the time limit for which the visa holder is allowed to stay each time he/she enters the country, and is counted from the next day of entry.

4. Residence Procedures

Holders of D, J1, Q1, S1, or X1 Visas shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organizations at/above the county level in the proposed places of residence for residence permits.

Holders of W-series diplomatic, courtesy, official or ordinary visas shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, go through the residence formalities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Foreign Affairs Office of the local government.