Business Visa Application Requirements for a Chinese Visa
Online service purchase: click the link.
Business Visa Application Requirements for a Chinese Visa
Renew Your Chinese visa
Passport
You must provide your original passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
- Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- If requesting multiple entries, the passport must contain at least two blank facing visa pages, there can be no stamps or amendment endorsement type on the pages
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact CEV for further details.
Photograph(s)
The Chinese Consulate requires a photograph that meets very strict requirements. We strongly recommend that you submit your photograph electronically to CEV so we can ensure it meets the requirements of the Chinese Consulate.
All electronic photo submissions must be taken within the last six months against an all-white background. It must show a full frontal view of your head, face centered in the middle, the tops of your shoulders, and display a neutral (non-smiling) expression with eyes open, mouth closed, and ears visible.
No background light or shadows are permitted. You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes. Do not wear a white shirt. Should you elect to submit an actual photograph then it must meet all of the above criteria and:
- Be exactly 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide
- Be printed on high-quality photo paper
- Not be affixed to your application, with no evidence of adhesive tape or staples
Note that most passport photo vendors produce photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches and are not acceptable. CEV cannot submit applications with incorrectly formatted photographs.
Letter of Invitation
You must provide a letter of invitation. Use the included template in this kit as a guide to the content and format of the invitation. All components of the template are required.
Business Cover Letter
You are required to provide a Business Cover Letter from your U.S.-based company. Be certain your letter meets the specific requirements of the Consulate by using our Business Cover Letter template.
Proof of State Residency
You must provide proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front of your driver’s license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:
- Display your name as it appears on your passport
- Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application
- Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the Consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.
CEV Invoice
Provide the CEV invoice included in this kit.
Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. The application must:
- Be completed online
- Include answers for all required fields
- List the name of the traveler exactly as it is written in the passport
- Be printed single-sided
- Be dated and signed in blue or black ink
- Be enclosed with all other documents in your visa application kit
- Have your signature on the declaration confirmation page, as well as in section 9.1A
CEV provides a guide to assist you in completing the application.
Former PRC Nationals or Individuals Born in Chinese Territories
If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:
- You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
- You must provide a copy of your most recent Chinese visa and a copy of the passport in which the visa was issued
- If you have never been issued a Chinese visa you must submit your original China passport and a copy of your Green Card, and a copy of your Naturalization Certificate
If you were adopted from China you must also include a copy of your adoption papers showing adoptive parents names, name change, and photo with parents (do not include the original papers). If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization certificate and U.S. birth certificate.
Previous Visas
If you have been granted a Chinese visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued Chinese visa. If the visa is not located in your current passport, you must submit the original passport containing the previous Chinese visa. If you no longer have the passport with the previous visa, you must provide a signed statement outlining that you no longer have that passport and what happened to it.
U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries
U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport may be asked to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. CEV will submit your request and follow up if the Embassy asks for you to appear in person.
NGO/Non-Profit Workers
If applying for a business visa, you must provide an employer letter and personal statement. Processing time varies on a case by case basis. If your employer is an NGO or nonprofit your application will require additional review by the Chinese visa Section.
Applicants with Criminal Record
Travelers with a criminal record will be required to appear in person at the Consulate in order to provide biometrics.
“Where You Stay” Form
You must provide a completed and signed “Where You Stay” form included in this kit.
Military Statement
If you have ever served in the military, are in active military duty, are on the reserves or retired from the military, the Chinese Consulate request you to complete the DECLARATION OF ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE template form included in the kit.
The dates on this DECLARATION OF ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE form must match the dates on your application form for questions #8.8 and #8.12. The military information including dates of service must also be included in the Employment History section (3.2) of your application even though this section only requires 5 year work history.
Urgent Applications
If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline, CEV can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays. A CEV expert will review all of your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly.