Section III: Getting There—Visas

General

Under PRC Law, the standard visa application process for individuals seeking a business/official visit (F) visa requires an official invitation from a Chinese host organization. This invitation can be obtained from your company's China branch, subsidiary, or business partner. The applicant must then submit in person or through an entrusted party the following documents to the appropriate PRC Consular Office or Embassy in the United States:

The invitation letter from Chinese host organization
A passport, valid for more than six months and with at least one blank visa page
A completed application form; please note that an incomplete application form could cause approval delays or a visa denial
One recent passport-size photograph attached on the application form, in either black and white or color
An applicant born in China who applies for a Chinese visa with a new foreign passport is required to submit his/her Chinese passport or last foreign passport with a Chinese visa
Visa fee: Starting August 1, 2007, the visa fee for US citizens will be $100 per person, regardless of the number of entries. The fee for a group visa will be $80 per person. See ( http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/t334452.htm) for details.
Multiple entry (F) visas have further requirements, see ( http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84247.htm) for details.

In case of emergency, business travelers who have difficulty receiving invitation letters in time may instead apply for a tourist visa, which does not require an official invitation but offers the same validity and duration as a business visa.

For links to PRC consulates in the United States, see http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/t84229.htm

It takes at least four business days to process a visa application, although an applicant can request expedited processing for an additional $20 for processing in two-three working days, or $30 for processing in one working day.

More detailed information about the visa application process, including a downloadable visa application, instructions, information on mailed applications, and visas for Hong Kong, is available from the PRC Embassy website www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/default.htm

Travelers entering China through Hong Kong may wish to apply for a PRC visa at the Office of the Commissioner of PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong. You can contact the office at:

Office of the Commissioner of PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong
7/F Lower Block, China Resources Building
26 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel: 852-3413-2300 (24 hour, automatic answering service)
852-3413-2424 (9:00-12:00 am; 2:00-5:00 pm, Monday-Friday)
Fax: 852-3413-2312
Email: fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn
www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/lsfw/default.htm

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Last Updated: 11-Nov-04