Heading to China as Tourist or on Business? If Business, Get a Letter from the Boss

(Hassy218). Submitted on Thu, 28 Jul 2011

For the most part, there are no distinctive lines drawn between a tourist visa and a business



visa, meaning if you are heading to China on business you can also move around the country as a

tourist, and visa versa.

 

However, there are some guidelines to follow in the application process that are a little

tricky.  First of all, what is a visa and why do you need one?  Visas are issued to permit entry

into a country for a specific purpose, usually to allow travel for leisure as a tourist, or to

conduct business activities.

 

In general, "tourist" visas for travel to China will issued specifically for the purpose

traveling for pleasure.  In contrast, a business visa generally permits travelers to China to

engage in normal business-related activities, however, you will likely need to obtain a letter

of support from your company in the United States and, most likely, also an invitation letter

from a Chinese company (or school or hospital, etc.) in order to apply for a business visa.

 

Typically, and there are always exceptions to every rule, with a regular tourist or business

visa you can plan on obtaining approval from the Chinese government for stays between 30 to 90

days for each entry. If you need to stay longer while you are in China, you will have to contact

the visa office of the local Public Security Bureau to request an extension.  It is highly

advised that you do not overstay your visa and then attempt to request an extension because once

a Chinese visa has been issued cannot be changed.  The only way to obtain an extension is to

apply for a new visa, whether for business or pleasure, and that means going through the

application process all over again.

 

The good news is that a business visa does not restrict you from touring or sightseeing, so

there is no need to apply for a separate tourist visa.  And, as long as you travel within

mainland China, there is no need to apply for a separate entry visa to travel to other cities

across the country.

 

When should you apply?  Typically, the best time to apply for your visa is between 30 and 90

days before your planned date of departure from the United States.  Most Chinese visas, whether

for business or pleasure, remain are valid upon issue and expire either in three, six or 12

months, depending on which type of visa is granted.

 

According to the Web page for the Embassy for the People’s Republic of China in the United

States, the following documents must be submitted to obtain a visa:

    A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page: Your valid passport must have at

least six (6) months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it.
    A completed Visa Application Form (Q1)
    One recent 2’’ x 2’’ photo (black & white or color is acceptable) glued or stapled on the

application form
    Temporary foreign visitors with a valid US visa or foreign residents with legitimate status

in the U.S., may apply for Chinese visa to the Visa Office of the Chinese Embassy. The visa

officer may ask the applicant to provide the original and photocopy of their U.S. Green Card,

Work Permit, I-20 Form, valid US Visa or other additional documents and make a decision on

whether to issue the visa case by case.
    For first-time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, you will be required to

write down your Chinese name in the application form and submit an original Chinese passport.
     An original and a photocopy of the Work Permit for Aliens issued by the Chinese Labor

Ministry or the original of Foreign Expert's License issued by the Chinese Foreign Expert

Bureau.
     A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit or proof of kinship, e.g.

marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc, is required for the accompanying family members.

The application process and fees also vary, so it is advised that you check with your local

consulate office for guidelines.

 

About the Author

To know more about China Visa Services please browse China Visa Services , You can also visit China Visa

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