Introduction

     A visa is a travel document issued by authorized government agencies to foreign citizens applying to enter, exit from or transit through the host country's territory based on the host country's laws and regulations.

     In accordance with international law and practice, any sovereign state is entitled to decide on whether or not to allow a foreign citizen to enter or exit from its territory, and whether to issue a visa, decline a visa application or to cancel an issued visa in accordance with its national laws.

     Chinese consular officials are entitled to decide on the type, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay of a visa to be issued based on Chinese laws and regulations. Consular officials reserve the right to decline a visa application or revoke an issued visa.

Application Documents

1.  Basic Documents

1)  Passport– You should submit your original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page and  a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page.

2)  Visa Application Form– You should submit the Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China (V2011A) which is truthfully completed and signed. You should submit the truthfully completed and signed Supplementary Visa Application Form (V2011B) if you are seeking to work (Z Visa) OR study (X Visa) in China, if you are a citizen of a third country, OR if someone else traveling with you shares the same passport with you.

3)  Photo– Please affix one color photo on the Application Form. The photo should be recent, front view, in 48mm x33mm size without head covering.

4)  Proof of Liberia Residency Status– Third country citizens need to provide the original and a photocopy of proof of Liberia residency

5) The photocopy of the naturalization Certificate – Liberian citizen needs to provide the photocopy of the naturalization Certificate if he has a former nationality.

6)  Original Chinese Passport– First-time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, or who were born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), need to submit the original Chinese passport and a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page, and extension page (if applicable).

7)  Certificate of Name Change– If the name in the new passport is different from that in the original one, the official document issued by authorities for name change should be submitted.

8) Previous Chinese Visa– Foreign citizens who were born in China and had obtained a Chinese visa before, when applying for visa with a new passport, should submit a photocopy of the original passport's information/photo page and the page containing the previous Chinese visa.

2.  Additional Documents

1) Business Visa ("F" Visa)

- An Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency or an invitation Letter issued by the Chinese local governments, companies, corporations and institutions other than above-mentioned Chinese agency.

- Bank Statement. At least 8000USD is needed in the closing balance.

- The original and the photocopy of the Certificate of Business Registration and Treasury Receipt.

* The invitation letter shall include the following items:

(A) Personal information of the invitee: name, gender, date of birth, etc.

(B) Information concerning the invitee's visit to China: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and leaving, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the inviter, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.

(C) Information of the inviter: name of the unit, phone number, address, seal and signature of the legal representative.

* Generally, the invitation letter may be submitted as a fax, copy or printout. If necessary, the consular officer will ask the applicant to submit the original invitation letter, or to provide some supporting and supplementary documents, or schedule an interview.

* The application with any fake invitation letter or other fraud will be rejected.

* In accordance with the specific application, the consular officer decides to issue visas with different validity, number of entries and duration of stay in China.

2) Tourist Visa (L Visa)

- An Invitation Letter for Tourist Group of Invitation Letter for Tourist by a Duly Authorized Tourism Unit or an Invitation Letter issued by companies, corporations, institutions and individuals in China. If the invitation letter is issued by an individual in China, the photocopy of the ID of the individual is required.

- Bank Statement. At least 8000USD is needed in the closing balance.

- Photocopy of the roundtrip airline ticket and hotel reservation.

*The invitation letter issued by companies, corporations, institutions and individuals in China, shall include the following items:

(A) Personal information of the application: name, gender, date of birth, etc.

(B) Information concerning the applicant's visit to China: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and leaving, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the inviter, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.

(C) Information of the inviter: name of the unit or individual, phone number, address, and if applicable, seal and signature of the legal representative.

* Generally, the invitation letter may be submitted as a fax, copy or printout. If necessary, the consular officer will ask the applicant to submit the original invitation letter, or to provide some supporting and supplementary documents, or schedule an interview.

* The application with any fake invitation letter or other fraud will be rejected.

* In accordance with the specific application, the consular officer decides to issue visas with different validity, number of entries and duration of stay in China.

3)  Student Visa (X Visa)

- The original and a photocopy of the school admission letter, and Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW201 or JW202) issued by the Chinese authorities are required. (These two documents are also required for applicants who visit China for short-term studies/advanced studies, and stay for no more than six months.)

- Bank Statement. At least 8000USD is needed in the closing balance.

- Physical Examination Record for Foreigner. The applicant should go to JFK hospital to take physical examination, and the record should be signed by Chinese doctor.

*X Visa holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

4)  Work Visa (Z Visa)

- The original and a photocopy of an Invitation Letter by a Duly Authorized Unit, or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency, and one of the following documents:

A.  Foreigner Employment Permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China;

B.  Foreign Expert Confirmation Document issued by State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of China;

C.  Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in the People's Republic of China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;

D.  Registration Certificate of Foreign Enterprises' Permanent Representative Offices in China issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the approval document for the permanent representative offices of foreign enterprises issued by related commercial departments;

E.  Approval document issued by the Ministry of Culture for those who come to China for commercial performances.

F. Invitation Letter by a Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by the Foreign Affairs Office of a province (autonomous region, city).

Accompanying family members of foreigners working in China should submit an Invitation Letter by a Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency, and proof of kinship, e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. There is no need for them to submit documents of employment permit.

* Z Visa holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

5) Crew Visa (C Visa)

- Formal introduction letter issued by the airline or shipping company.

* The Chinese Embassy will issue single-entry or double-entry visas or multiple-entry visas valid for 6 months for crew members of other airline companies on a case-by-case basis.

6)  Permanent Journalist Visa (J-1 Visa)

- Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

- An official letter issued by the applicant's media company.

* J-1 Visa applicants should contact the Information Section of the Chinese Embassy in advance for relevant procedures.

* J-1 Visa holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

7)  Temporary Journalist Visa (J-2 Visa)

- Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant authorized agencies.

- An official letter issued by the applicant's media company.

* J-2 Visa applicants should contact the Information Section of the Chinese Embassy in advance for relevant procedures.

8) Transit Visa (G Visa)

- A valid visa of the country/region of destination, and a connecting airline ticket for the destination.

* A transit visa is generally a single-entry visa valid for 3 months with a stay of up to 7 days, unless otherwise specified on the visa application form and approved by visa officers. No multiple-entry transit visas are issued as a rule.

9) Permanent Resident Visa (D Visa)

- Foreigner's Permanent Resident Status Confirmation Form issued by the Chinese public security authorities. (Applicants may entrust their friends or relatives in China to apply for the permanent resident certificate from the entry-exit administration department of the local public security bureau.)

* D Visa holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

10) Additional documents if deemed necessary by visa officers.

How to Apply

1) Take a number first and wait for your number to be called.

2) When you are called, you can approach the window to submit your application or make inquires.

3) On the date as stated on the Pick-Up Slip, Come to the Visa Office.

4) Take a deposit slip from the pickup window,and then pay the visa fee to the teller assigned to the Embassy from Ecobank.

5) Pick up the passport from the pickup window with the visa fee invoice. Check your visa, passport and document before you leave.

 Processing Time

►Regular Service (To Pick up on the Fourth Working Day)

►Express Service (To Pick up on the Second or Third Working Day)

►Same Day Rush Service (to Pick up on the Same Day)

Fees

1) Regular Service

Visas can be obtained on the fourth business day.

  

Number of Entry	Liberia Citizens	Citizens of Third Countries
Single Entry	$90	$40
Double Entries	$135	$60
Multiple Entries for 6 Months	$180	$80
Multiple Entries for 12 Months	$270	$120

Note: Visa fees for certain third countries may vary from the list above based on reciprocal agreements.

2) Express service: Visas can be obtained on the second or third business day. An additional fee of $20 per person will be charged.

3) Same-day rush service: Visas can be obtained in the same day.

Please be aware that:

►No need for an appointment.

► An interview may be requested.