It is very easy to get confused when applying for a China visa. If you do not get the right type of visa, you may be forced to delay or cancel a trip to visit China. There are specific rules governing whether a person needs a tourist visa or a business visa. Then, there are different classifications within each type.
Tourist visas are issued for the express purpose of making a pleasure trip to visit China on vacation or to visit family and friends. Being caught conducting any sort of business while in China on a tourist visa can result in some stiff fines and immediate deportation. A tourist visa is defined as a class “L” visa.
Within the definitions of a class “L” China visa are different terms of admission for single entry, double entry, and multiple entry using the same visa. A single entry visa allows a person to enter the country one time and stay for a specified amount of time. Typical lengths are 3 6 months. Double entry visas allow for a person to enter the country for a time, leave, then return one time within the specified amount of time. Length of time covered by double entry visas is also normally in the three to six month range.
It is also possible to get a class “L” China visa to visit for pleasure with multiple entries allowed. This type of tourist visa allows a person to visit China multiple times within the allotted time, normally six to twelve months.
One needs a business China visa in order to visit for purposes of investigating, lecturing, conducting business, or taking advanced education courses and cultural exchange. This type of China visa is called a type “F” visa.
Like the tourist China visa, business visas come in multiple entry styles, single, double, or multiple entry. Time limits for single or double entry are normally six months. Multiple entry type “F” visas can be extended up to one year normally with an additional extension up to 24 months available under certain special circumstances.
Applying for a China visa can be accomplished by visiting your local US post office, a private passport processor, online passport processors, or the Chinese embassy. There are several spaces on the application that can be checked pertaining to the reason for visiting China. If you are unsure which China visa you need, do not panic. Simply check off all the items on the application that apply to what you plan to do while in China and the Chinese consulate will issue the correct visa based on this information.
It is easy to get confused when applying for a China visa. With strictly defined rules that limit which type of visa a person needs, and different regulations on how many times a person is allowed to enter the country in a given amount of time, it is best to simply fill out the application honestly and completely and let the Chinese consulate ensure that you get the right type of visa to cover your visit(s) to China.
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