Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Chinese Visa

1. What are the Chinese visa and its legal basis? Which Chinese institutions can issue Chinese visas?

Answer: The Chinese visa is a permit issued by visa authorities of China to foreign citizens for their entry, exit from or transit through China. The legal bases for Chinese visas are the "Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China", "The Regulation of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreign Nationals", "People's Republic of China Passport Visa Regulations" and the various visa agreements signed by Chinese government with foreign governments and other relevant regulations.

In accordance with international law and international practice, any sovereign nation has the right to decide whether to allow foreigners enter and exit from its country (border), and to issue, reject or revoke the relevant visa based on its own law. Under the Chinese laws and regulations, Chinese consular officials have been entitled to determine the category number of entrances, period of validity and duration of each stay related to visa, and to reject the relevant visa application or revoke the visa issued.

China's Visa Authorities are as follows:

A. Chinese Embassies or Consulates, Relevant Offices, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and other resident organizations authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for handling visa applications of foreign citizens for entry into and transit through mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.

B. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local foreign affairs offices authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for issuance, change and extension of diplomatic and official visas, and for issuance of residence permit to holders of diplomatic and official visas.

C. The Ministry of Public Security and the local public security bureaus authorized by the Ministry of Public Security are responsible for inspection on entry and exit of foreigners, issuance of visas at the port of entry, extension and change of ordinary visas, and issuance of residence permit to holders of ordinary visas, who are already in China.

2. Where could foreign citizen apply for a Chinese visa?

Answer: Any foreign citizen in person might apply or entrust other or travel agency to apply for a Chinese visa to Chinese Embassies or Consulates, Relevant Offices, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and other resident organizations authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based on the district of his/her residence. By virtue of different jurisdictions of Chinese Embassies or relevant agencies authorized to issue visas, in principle the applicant should apply for Chinese visa to the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate. If the applicant would be invited to have an interview with the consular officer, he/she must be there in person and answer the relevant questions inquired.

If any foreign citizen who entered China holding ordinary visa need to extend or change his/her visa, he/she should apply for it to the relevant local Public Security Bureau over county level authorized by the Ministry of Public Security of China.

3. Who will need to apply for a Chinese visa?

Answer: Except visa-free person as articulated, any foreign citizen going to China mainland should apply for a Chinese visa. Latvian citizen going to Hong Kong, for less than 90 days can stay there without visa. Latvian non-citizen(alien) going to Hong Kong need to apply for a visa. Latvian citizen/non-citizen going to Macau might apply for a Port visa in relevant Visa Authorities at Macau airport or Customs.

4. I hold other country passport, can I apply for a Chinese visa in Latvia?

Answer: For non-Latvian passport holder or citizen of third country, Chinese Embassy in Latvia will only accept his/her visa application subject to the following two conditions:

A. He/she lives permanently in Latvia and uses Latvian mailing address, telephone number and e-mail.

B. He/she can provide relevant legal documents confirming long-term residence in Latvia (such as his/her valid Latvian residence permit, work permit, study certificate, marriage certificate with Latvian citizen/non-citizen, own real estate certificate in Latvian, the original document or its copy which he/she holds Latvian visa, etc.)

5. Can I apply for a visa by mail? Can Chinese Embassy in Latvia return the passport with visa by mail?

Answer: Chinese Embassy in Latvia will not accept the visa application by mail, and also not provide return service by mail. Applicant may trust other to apply for a Chinese visa or to receive the visa on the base of the voluntary principle and bear all liabilities arising therefrom.

6. To apply for Chinese visa, should I make an appointment in advance?

Answer: Answer: Visa Applicants have to log in the Appointment for Visa Application for Submission (AVAS) through http://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn to schedule an appointment, and print the appointment page. It is advised to make an appointment at least 20 days in advance.

7. When can I apply for a Chinese visa? How long does it take to get a visa after submitting my application? Who should I consult when I have some questions about the Chinese visa?

Answer: Working hours of Consular Section at Chinese Embassy in Latvia are as follows:

A. Monday and Friday: 10:00-12:00 am (except holidays);

B. Wednesday: 2:30-4:30 pm (except holidays).

If you have submitted all documents required, you will get the Regular visa on the fourth working day of Visa Section from the date of acceptance of all documents; In exceptional circumstances, you will get the Urgent visa on the third working day or the Extra Urgent visa on the second working day of Visa Section from the date of acceptance of all documents. Any applicant should come to get the visa on time. Any visa not taken away after 90 days from the day when it should be taken away will be deemed abandoned.

For more information, please contact: 00371-67509123; 67357024; 67357023.

8. When will it be the better time to apply for a Chinese visa? Can I apply for a Chinese visa and pick it up on the same day?

Answer: After determining your travel plans, you can apply for the Chinese visa. Considering the application proceeding of visa and the term of its validity, we recommend you to apply for the visa a month before your travel. If you apply for a visa too early, the visa may be expired before your trip. If you apply for a visa too late, it might not be able to process a visa.

We don't offer the visa service related to applying for a Chinese visa and picking it up on the same day.

9. What documents should be submitted to apply for a Chinese visa?

Answer: The following documents should be prepared for the application related to a Chinese visa:

A. Passport: On the date of application, it should be valid not less than six months with at least one blank visa page.

B. Visa Application Form: All visa applicants (excluding Hong Kong visa) have to complete the visa application forms online at the China Online Visa Application (COVA) through http://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn, and after successfully submitting the application online, print the confirmation page and the visa application form generated by the system, and sign their names and dates.

C. Scheduling an Appointment: Visa Applicants have to log in the Appointment for Visa Application for Submission (AVAS) through http://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn to schedule an appointment, and print the appointment page. It is advised to make appointment at least 20 days in advance.

D. One passport photo (48X33 mm): details as on the following website: http://lv.chineseembassy.org/eng/lsyw/t1566446.htm

E. Other relevant documents based on the category of visa of the applicant: In principle, the visa applicant must provide air ticket or train ticket to go to China and to return back; hotel reservation during his/her staying in China or other similar confirming his/her accommodation arrangement document; travel insurance, etc.

The applicant applying for visit, visiting relative or business visa need to provide relevant invitation letter from China's partner or relative or friend with signature or seal. Among them, the applicant applying for visiting relative visa should provide the proof of kinship with the inviting person. For more information, please see the item related to "GUIDELINES FOR PRC VISA APPLICATIONS" in the column of "Consular Affairs" of the Website at Chinese Embassy in Latvia.

10. To apply for a Chinese visa, what matters should I pay attention to?

Answer: To apply for a Chinese visa, you should pay attention to the following list:

(1) To make arrangements in advance in case the visa is invalid or it is too late to apply for the visa, with the result that the trip has to be delayed.

(2) To truthfully, completely and clearly fill in the application form which should be signed by the applicant (the underage applicant could be replaced to sign by his/her parents or guardian while indicating their relationship).

(3) Application documents should be true and complete. If the documents are incomplete or not true, the relevant application will be rejected.

(4) Truthfully answer the visa officer's questions.

(5) The "Category", "Entries", "Enter Before", "Duration of Each Stay" and "Issue Date" shown on the visa will be decided by a consular officer in accordance with relevant regulations and application of the applicant.

(6) Picking up the visa, the applicant shall pay the visa fee and have the responsibility to check the visa details, and immediately raise possible questions.

(7) Please avoid the following consequences caused by the applicant himself:

A. The application form has not been accurately or fully filled or relevant information is incorrect, with the result that the visa application is rejected.

B. Passport photo does not meet the requirements or the applicant fails to submit relevant documents requested by the visa official, with the result that the visa application will be rejected

C. Too early application for a visa results in the fact that the visa will have been expired and not valid when he/she is going to travel; Or he/she is going to be denied boarding the plane or entry to China for there will be no enough time to apply for relevant visa.

D. The visa issued has been invalid due to the reasons of the applicant's own or the third party.

E. Without checking the number of "Entries", "Enter Before"(expiration date), "Duration of Each Stay" shown on your visa and passport validity results in being denied boarding the plane or entry to China.

F. The visa issued might not be used owing to other reasons arising from the applicant.

11. There are many categories of Chinese visas. Concerning its validity, there are 3 months, 6 months, 12 months or more than 12 months; Concerning the number of "Entries", there are one entry, two entries and multiple entries. Which should I apply for?

Answer: China has a lot of different visas, such as diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. Among them, the ordinary visa could be divided into 11 categories which have 16 types. They are written in Chinese Pinyin letters, such as: Settlement (D),Visit (F), Transit (G), Reunion (Q), Tourist (L), Business (M), Relatives (S), Work (Z), Student (X) and so on. There are different requirements of visa applications for different nationals to visit China. For more information, please see the item related to "GUIDELINES FOR PRC VISA APPLICATIONS" in the column of "Consular Affairs" of the Website at Chinese Embassy in Latvia.

You can determine the required number of "Entries" and "Duration of Each Stay" in China according to your identity and purpose of visiting China, and fill them in the application form. You can ignore the name of visa category, but you should specify the purpose of visiting China, number of "Entries" and "Duration of Each Stay" in order that the consular officials to make a decision to issue what kind of visa to you. Generally speaking, one-entry visa is valid for 3 months; two-entry visa is valid for 3-6 months. They are suitable for short trips to China (such as: visiting relatives, friends and making public business, etc.) and for the applicant (including one who apply for two-entry visa, he/she should specify the purpose of his/her visiting China or provide previous record which he/she went to China before) who applies for the first time. There is a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months, 12 months or more than 12 months, which is provided for foreigner or overseas Chinese to frequently travel to China.

12. I am a Latvian passport holder. After visiting Beijing, I am going to Hong Kong, then to Guangzhou. How many entries should I apply for Chinese visa?

Answer: You should apply for a two-entry visa. It is the first entry from Latvia to Beijing. And it is the second entry from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. If you only applied for a one-entry visa to China, you should re-apply for a new visa to China in the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region before you are going to Guangzhou.

Attention: Latvian citizen passport holders traveling to Hong Kong for less than three months (90 days) do not require Hong Kong visa. Latvian non-citizen passport holders should apply for Hong Kong visa in Chinese Embassy and Consulate concerned abroad.

13. My passport will expire in four months, I want to go to China before its expiry date, can I apply for a Chinese visa?

Answer: When we accept the relevant visa application, we require that the passport of any applicant must be valid for at least six months. For your convenience during you travel in China, we recommend you to change your passport and then to apply for the relevant visa.

14. I have a new passport, but Chinese visa in old passport is still valid. May I not to apply for a new Chinese visa while holding two passports to go to China?

Answer: To avoid inconvenience during you travel in China, if your old passport is valid for less than six months, we recommend you to apply for a new visa in your new passport.

15. If it is too late to apply for a Chinese visa, how should I deal with the situation?

Answer: Generally speaking, any foreign citizen planning to travel in China should apply for a Chinese visa in advance. In principle, outside mainland China, applicant should apply for a visa to the relevant Chinese Embassy or Consulate, Relevant Office, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and other resident organization authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If it were too late for him/her to apply for a Chinese visa to the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate to his/her residence, he/she also could apply for it to one of relevant agencies mentioned above on the way to China.

Any foreign citizen, who is the ordinary passport holder whose country has established diplomatic relations or official trade with China and has the invitation letter of Duly Authorized Unit of China, also can apply for the Chinese visa at one of the Port Visa Authorities authorized by the Ministry of Public Security of PRC if it is too late for him/her to apply for a Chinese visa to the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate to his/her residence under the following special circumstances:

A. Who was invited to China to attend trade fairs based on the interim decision from China side.

B. Who was invited to China for participating in a tender or signing a trade contract

C. Who was invited to China for participating in the export, import commodity inspection or contract acceptance.

D. Who was invited to China for installing equipment or carrying out repairing work

E. Who was invited to China for resolving the issues of compensation.

F. Who was invited to China for providing technical consult.

G. Who is the person increased or changed prior to agreeing by China side after the visas of the relevant delegation invited to China have been issued.

H. Who is going to see patient(s) in critical condition or to make funeral arrangement.

I. Who is the person holding transit visa and failing to departure by the original aircraft within 24 hours subject to irresistible reasons or needing to switch to other transport mode to leave.

J. Others: Who is invited but too late to apply for visa in one of the relevant agencies mentioned above and hold the letter of designated competent Authority which agrees the invitee to apply for the Chinese visa at any Port Visa Authority of China.

While the above mentioned circumstances happened, the applicant may apply but it does not mean that the application will be approved. All liability that may arise therefrom lies with the applicant in person. Other visa applications which do not belong to above mentioned circumstances will not be accepted at any Port Visa Authority of China.

Except 24 hours transit within the airport, 72 hours transit visa-free and 144 hours transit visa-free policies are implemented at some areas in China towards citizens from some countries including Latvian passport holders (excluding Alien passport). For more in detail, please visit the following websites of the National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China:

https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c759334/content.html (24 hours)

https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741547/c1174466/content.html (144 hours & 72 hours)

Latvian passport holders (excluding Alien passport) also enjoy the 30 days visa-free policy to visit Hainan Province. For more in detail, please visit the following website :

http://lv.chineseembassy.org/eng/xwdt/t1616735.htm

For more about the border visa, visa-free transit and stay permit, please visit the webpage of the National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China( https://www.nia.gov.cn/index.html ).

16. Under what circumstances do foreign national not need to apply for a Chinese visa?

Answer: Foreign citizens concerned can travel to China without visa under one of the following circumstances:

(1) For Regulations Based on Relevant Bilateral Agreement

According to mutual visa exemption agreements signed by China and other countries concerned, some foreign citizens who meet specific criteria can travel to China without visa. For specific information, please refer to the "List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption Between the People's Republic of China and Foreign Countries".

(2) For Direct Transit

No visa is required for a foreign citizen holding ticket(s) to the final destination and has booked seat(s) on international airline(s), ship(s), train(s) transiting directly through China, and will stay for less than 24 hours and do not leave the specified transit area.

72 and 144 hours visa-free transit policies are implemented for the travelers from the following 53 countries and regions:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore , Brunei, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

(3) For Citizen of Singapore, Brunei, Japan

Any citizen of the three countries holding ordinary passports and going to mainland China for not exceed 15 days on the purpose of traveling, making business, visiting family/friend(s) or transiting is exempted from visa when he/she enter China via the designated port opened to foreigners. However, the following persons from these countries need to apply for Chinese visa in advance:

A. Ordinary passport holder who is going to China for traveling, making business, visiting family/friend(s) and expected to exceed 15 days.

B. Ordinary passport holder who is going to China for studying, working, making an official visit, settling or interviewing.

C. Diplomatic and official passport holder.

(4) For Holder of Aliens' Residence Permit

Any Foreign citizen who holds a valid Aliens' Residence Permit issued by PRC is entitled to enter and exit China for many times without applying for another visa within the period of the validity of the card mentioned above.

(5) For Holder of APEC Business Travel Card

The APEC Business Travel Card is regarded as a multiple entry visa valid for three years. With this card and relevant passport, the holder is entitled to enter China for many times within three years. "Duration of Each Stay" should be within 2 months.

17. How much does Chinese Visa cost?

Answer: Chinese Visa cost includes regular Visa cost and urgent service cost.

(1) Regular service is charged based on the following criteria:

Category

of VisaApplicant's Nationality

Number

of EntriesLatvian CitizenLatvian Alien/ Third

Country CitizenUS Citizen

China mainland visa

Single60 Euros30 Euros105 Euros

Double60 Euros45 Euros105 Euros

Multiple for 6 months60 Euros60 Euros105 Euros

Multiple for 12 months or above60 Euros90 Euros105 Euros

Hong Kong visa

Single or

Double (short term) Visa free

(staying Less than 90 days) 25 EurosVisa free

(staying Less than 90 days

Group visa Single48 Euros24 Euros88 Euros

Double48 Euros36 Euros88 Euros

(2) Urgent service will charge additional 21 Euros for an individual visa.

Note: Visa fee may differ for some third country citizens due to reciprocal arrangement.

18. Since Chinese visa fee does not vary depending on number of "Entries" and "Duration of Each Stay" for Latvian citizen, can I apply for a Chinese visa of long period of stay?

Answer: The consular officer will make his decision to issue relevant visa based on the application documents submitted, not on the wishes of applicant. If the applicant indeed has necessity proved to stay in China for a long period, the consular officer will decide whether to approve or reject the application in accordance with the regulations related to visa and specific situation.

19. What is the meaning of "Enter Before" and "Duration of Each Stay" in Chinese Visa?

Answer: "Enter Before" shown on the Chinese visa refers to the validity of a visa. It indicates the date from the issuance of a visa till the last date to enter to China after Beijing time (including that day); "Duration of Each Stay" shown on the Chinese visa refers to the maximum days after entering China. For example, ordinary single-entry visa holder, if his/her visa is valid for three months, the "Duration of Each Stay" (longest stay) is 60 days, it means the holder from the date of the visa issued within three months can enter China, and once he/she enters China, he/she can stay in China for 60 days from the date of entry. We recommend the visa holder to avoid entry to China in the final day before the visa is overdue in case the border control officers suspect the authenticity of the visa validity.

20. What does "Entries" shown on the visa mean? What should I do if the number of entries on the visa runs out?

Answer: "Entries" refers to the number of times which the bearer is permitted to enter China within the validity of a visa. It can be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. For single-entry and double-entry visas, once the number of "Entries" is used up, the visa becomes automatically invalid. If you need to go to China again, you should re-apply for a Chinese visa.

Note: A visa also becomes invalid automatically if its validity period expires, regardless of the number of "Entries" left. Visiting China with an invalid visa will result in denial of entry. Therefore, please check your visa's number of "Entries" and make sure you have a valid visa before your departure for China.

21. What should I do if I want to stay in China longer than the "Duration of Each Stay" allowed?

Answer: The duration of stay is calculated from the date of entry into China. Holder of an ordinary visa should apply for an extension of the duration at the local relevant Public Security Authority in China if he/she intends to stay in China longer than the "Duration of Each Stay" shown on the visa (but the application may or may not be approved).

Holders of D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas must apply for a resident permit at the local Public Security Authorities concerned in China within 30 days of entry, or their stay in China will be illegal.

During your stays in China, please pay attention to the visa "Duration of Each Stay". Overstaying with a visa expired in China is a violation of the "Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China", "The Regulation of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreign Nationals", etc. The perpetrator is subject to fines and other penalties.

22. When will my Chinese visa take into effect? When will it expire?

Answer: Unless otherwise stated, Chinese visa will automatically take into effect from the date issued, but it will automatically expire in the following circumstances:

A. After 24:00 (Beijing time) of the "Enter Before" date shown on the visa.

B. The number of "Entries" is used up.

C. The visa has been revoked or canceled by Chinese government authority concerned.

D. Other circumstances in accordance with Chinese laws.

23. Could I change the validity of a visa, "Duration of Each Stay" or the number of "Entries" after picking up the Chinese visa?

Answer: The validity of a visa, "Duration of Each Stay" or the number of "Entries" shown on the Chinese visa could not be changed once the visa was issued. Therefore, the applicant should make arrangements before applying for a visa. Applying for a visa, you must honestly fill in the application form. After picking up the visa, you must carefully check relevant information on the visa. If you want to change your visa, you should submit a new application and pay the visa fee again.

24. Can I change the itinerary after I got my Chinese visa?

Answer: Except it is specified in the visa, you can change the itinerary, but you should enter China before your visa expires. Since the itinerary changes will lead to the fact that the visa will not be used, the responsibility lies with the visa holder.

25. After getting my Chinese visa, can I enter to China?

Answer: You can enter China via Chinese relevant ports opened to foreigner after getting the visa. Chinese customs/checkpoint officers reserve the right to allow or refuse you to enter into China.

26. What should foreign citizen pay attention to before travelling in China?

Answer: Foreign citizens before traveling to China should pay attention to:

(1) The validity of a visa and the number of "Entries" should be checked. If visa will expire or the number of "Entries" is not enough, you should re-apply for a visa.

(2) If you take animals or plants, currency and other items with you to China, you must comply with the relevant regulations of Chinese Government Authorities concerned in the field of laws and health quarantine, animal and plant inspection and quarantine, customs and financial regulations.

(3) You should comply with Chinese laws and regulations, and should not engage in activities unrelated to the purpose of trip specified on your visa application form or not authorized by the Chinese government authority concerned after entering China.

(4) You should pay attention to passport validity and the "Duration of Each Stay" shown on the Chinese visa, and not exceed (Duration of Each Stay) in China. If it is necessary to extend the validity of a visa, you should go to the local Public Security Authority concerned for renewing a visa before the old visa expires.

(5) If you travel to certain city or county not opened to foreign citizens in China, you should apply for a travel permit to the Public Security Bureau in the city or county beforehand and only allowedly go there. Without permission, you could not travel to places not opened to foreign citizens.

(6) Please avoid the following circumstances, which could result in punishment related to denying boarding, refusing entry to China or imposed fines and other penalties.

A. To enter China without a Chinese Visa, but except exemption from visa.

B. To enter China with the expired or invalid Chinese visa.

C. To stay in China exceeding the "Duration of Each Stay".

D. To stay in China with expired passport (regardless of the validity of a visa or not)

27. If my visa expires during my stay in China, but the "Duration of Each Stay" will not expire, can I continue to stay there?

Answer: Although your visa expires, you can still stay in China until the "Duration of Each Stay" permitted expires.

28. If during my stay in China the passport is lost, what should I do?

Answer: You should report the case of your passport lost to the local Public Security Authority concerned in China as soon as possible. After applying for the new passport or other international travel documents in your country's embassy or consulate to China, you can apply for the new exit document(s) to local Public Security Authority concerned in China.

29. How to correctly read Chinese visa?

Answer: A Chinese Visa includes machine-readable code, visa paper number and other information in Chinese and English about "Category" of visa, "Entries", "Duration of Each Stay", "Issue Date", etc. After receiving the visa, the applicant should verify the above information carefully according to the application requirements.