Looking forward to explore the best of China for tourism, visiting, study, business purposes etc,  We have included as much information as possible regarding what you need to know to ensure you are properly prepared to for the application process in this article.

We understand that the whole process of application and getting a visa could be a bit cumbersome. As such, you may need to discuss with a consultant for guidance. Click here to book a free consultation service appointment with us.

TYPES OF VISA

China visa consists of 16 major types, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, M, F, Z, X1, X2, S1, S2, Q1, Q2, C, J-1, J-2, G, D, and R. Diplomatic visa and service visa must be obtained through government channel, which is not covered in this article. However, they are broadly classified into Four(4) types highlighted below:

1. Ordinary Visas
2. Diplomatic Visas
3. Service Visas
4. Courtesy Visas

For the purpose of this article, we would maintain focus on the ordinary visas and it’s categories. Read on!

ORDINARY VISAS (Categories):

There are 16 of them in existence, but only 5 are available to Nigerians, viz:
Visit Visa (F): Issued to those visiting China for exchanges, visits, study tours & other activities

Business Visa (M): Issued to those who intend to go to Chine for business purposes

Long Term Study Visa (X1): Issued to individuals who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days

Short Term Study Visa (X2): Issued to individuals who wants to study in china for less than 180 days

Working Visa (Z): Issued to individuals who intend to work in China.

TOURIST VISA (L): Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist. They include:

• Single-Entry Tourist Visa – You are only granted entry once into China and it is valid for 3-6 months. The duration of stay for a single-entry visa is generally 30 days (based on the Chinese embassy’s discretion).
• Double-Entry Tourist Visa – You can enter China twice and it is valid for 6 months. The duration of your stay in China is 30 days per entry.
• Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa – This tourist visa affords you multiple entries and it is valid for up to 1 year. Each entry is issued for a stay of up to 60 days.

See Also: Germany Visa Guide

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Depending on the category of visa you are applying for, the documents you would need would be grouped as basic and supporting documents. While basic documents are those documents peculiar to all type/category of visa sought, supporting document vary by visa category.

Basic Documents:

• Int’l Passport (with at least 2 blank pages and 6 months validity)
• Photocopy of passport data page. For photo requirements, click here
• Printed & signed online application form

Supporting Documents:

Tourist Visa (L):

• Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship).
• Proof of legal status (applicable for those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
• Flight Reservation
• Hotel Reservation or invitation letter
• A travel plan on a separate paper or an invitation letter for tourism issued by a relevant unit or individual in China.

Visit Visa (F) Visa

• Original copy of an invitation letter of a duly authorized unit or confirmation letter of invitation issued by any of the Chinese government departments, social organizations or companies authorized by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The invitation should give details about planned visit (Purpose, travel arrangement, financing, places to be visited, relationship between applicant and inviting entity) as well as details on the inviting entity (Name, Address, contact, official stamp, signature of his’ or that of his legal rep.)
• Formal introduction letter from applicant’s place of work (and photocopy of Company’s cert. of incorporation, if employed by a company).
• Six Months Bank statement with closing balance not less than ₦4 million
• Hotel Booking (Valid & Verifiable).
• Flight Booking.

Business Visa (M) Visa:

• Original copy of an invitation letter of a duly authorized unit or confirmation letter of invitation issued by any of the Chinese government departments, social organizations or companies authorized by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The invitation should give details about planned visit (Purpose, travel arrangement, financing, places to be visited, relationship between applicant and inviting entity) and the inviting entity (Name, Address, contact, official stamp, signature of his’ or that of his legal representative)
• Invitation letter from a trade partner in China (containing info on applicant and inviting party as well as details of planned visit)
• Formal introduction letter from applicant’s company stating applicant’s identity, purpose of visit & duration of stay.
• Photocopy of applicant’s Company’s Certificate of incorporation.
• Hotel Booking (Valid & verifiable)
• Flight Booking.

Study Visa (X1 & X2) Visa:

Read more on Study visa here

Working Visa (Z) Visa
One of the following docs must be prepared:

• Foreigners Employment Permit of the People’s Republic of China issued by Chinese govt. authorities for Human Resources & Social Security, as well as Invitation letter of duly authorized entity or Confirmation letter issued by relevant Chinese entities.
• Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts as well as Invitation Letter of duly authorized entity or confirmation letter of invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.
• Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.
• An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs or invitation letter of duly authorized entity or confirmation letter of invitation issued by relevant Foreign Affairs Office of provincial governments of China.
• Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation.
• Hotel Booking (Valid & verifiable)
• Flight Booking

Credit: google.com

MODE OF APPLICATION & SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS:

You can submit the application yourself or authorize a third party to do so. But you have to visit the application centre in person for collecting your personal bio-information. However, application cannot be mailed. To ensure a smooth operation and smooth out the flow of applicants over the working day, the Visa Centre strongly encourages you to make an appointment well in advance for submitting a visa application

STEPS TO APPLYING FOR CHINESE VISA

1. Complete the visa application form online through the “Online Form Filling”, print and sign it. Alternatively,  you can download the application form and fill it out manually and sign it
2. Make appointment through the “Online Appointment” module of the new website in advance.
3. Bring Signed application form together with other related visa application documents to China Visa Application Center at the scheduled time to make appointment for interview. (working time: 09:00-16:00 Mon. to Fri.). Please click here to make an appointment for your visit to the Visa Centre. Visiting the Centre without an appointment may cause a longer waiting time.
4. Visit China Embassy in person on appointment date with International passport passport and appointment slip.

Need hassle free visa application? Contact us today for professional consulting services.

REMARKS:

• If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, present the photocopy of the previous passport’s data page and the photo page (if it is separate), as well as the previous Chinese visa page. (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change).
• The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.
• If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials.
• The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

VISA PROCESSING TIME:
The processing time for a China visa is Five working days (subject to the visa officer’s decision), but you are encouraged to apply at least 30 days and at most 3 months before your flight departure.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Visa Fees:

Note that Visa Fees are collected on behalf of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General

Application Service Charges:

Whereas application Service Fees which is inclusive of 5% VAT are charged by the Centre and they are non-refundable, the total amount of the fees to be paid by an applicant are visa fees plus application service fees as per exchange rate fluctuation, service fees will be adjusted accordingly.

WHEN & HOW TO MAKE PAYMENT:
You must pay the appropriate China visa fee at the cashier located at the CVAC. You should pay at the counter after you submit your application and receive a payment notice. The Visa Centre accepts cash, debit cards and credit cards.

CHINESE EMBASSY ADDRESS

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