Service Guide for Visa Extension, Renewal and Replacement for Foreigners

I. Scope of Application

This guide is applicable to foreigners who enter the country on a regular visa and apply for visa extension, renewal or reissuance.

II. Basis for Approval
The Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners.

III. Receiving Institution
The National Immigration Administration entrusts the Exit-entry administration institutions of public security organs at or above the prefectural level (including counties under the jurisdiction of municipalities directly under the Central Government) to handle and issue visa documents for foreigners.
Upon the approval of the National Immigration Administration upon the request of the exit-entry administration of the provincial public security organ, the Exit-entry administration of the county-level public security organ may, upon the entrustment of the National Immigration Administration, accept and issue visa documents for foreigners.

IV. Application Requirements
After entering China on an ordinary visa, foreigners who need to stay in China for non-diplomatic or official reasons may apply to the Exit-entry administration of the public security organ for visa extension, renewal or reissuance in accordance with the regulations. The relevant procedures shall be handled by the applicant himself/herself at the exit-entry administration of the public security organ. Where any of the following circumstances exists, the application may be made on behalf of the applicant by the inviting unit or individual, the applicant's relatives or the relevant specialized service agency:
(I) Those under the age of 16 or over 60, as well as those who have difficulty moving around due to illness or other reasons;
(II) Those who are not entering China for the first time and have a good record of stay and residence in China;
(III) Inviting units or individuals to provide guarantee measures for the expenses required by foreigners during their stay in China.

V. Prohibitive Requirements
Where an applicant falls under the circumstances stipulated in Article 21 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, the extension, renewal or replacement of the visa shall not be approved.

VI. Application materials
(I) When accepting applications for visas and documents from foreigners, the applicant should be required to complete relevant procedures and submit related materials.
1. Valid passport or other international travel documents;
2. Fill out the application form for Foreigner's visa and document and submit a recent photo that meets the standards of the "Guidelines for Taking Photos on Exit-Entry Documents".
3. Supporting documents related to the application subject matter;
4. Other procedures that should be fulfilled and supporting documents submitted.
(II) Supporting documents required for visa extension application
Foreigners applying for an extension of the stay period of their visas shall apply to the Exit-entry administration of the public security organ 7 days before the expiration of the stay period indicated on the visa and submit the relevant application supporting materials as required:
1. Holders of C-visas shall submit a certificate letter issued by the competent department of the county-level or higher people's government or the local civil aviation, railway, highway, port and other transportation companies. The stay period can be extended by no more than 30 days.
2. Holders of F-visas shall submit a letter of certification issued by the inviting or receiving unit. The stay period can be extended by no more than 180 days.
3. Holders of G-visas should submit a letter of proof from the receiving unit and a confirmed flight (train, ship) ticket for the destination country (region) with a definite date and seat. The stay period can be extended by no more than 30 days.
4. Holders of J2-visas shall submit a letter of certification issued by the foreign affairs department of the provincial people's government. The stay period can be extended by no more than 30 days.
5. Holders of L-visas should submit their travel plans and itinerary arrangements. For group Tours, they should also submit a letter of certification from the travel agency. The stay period can be extended by no more than 30 days.
6. Holders of M-visas shall submit a letter issued by the inviting or receiving unit or individual. The stay period can be extended by no more than 180 days.
7. For those holding a Q2-visa, they should submit a letter issued by the person being visited, their identity proof, and proof or statement of family relationship. The stay period can be extended by no more than 180 days.
8. Holders of R-visas should submit corresponding proof materials for foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents. The stay period can be extended by no more than 180 days.
9. For those holding S2-visas, visitors should submit a letter issued by the person being visited, the foreigner's residence permit, and proof or statement of family relationship. Other personnel should submit relevant proof of handling private affairs or having humanitarian reasons. For visiting relatives, the stay period may be extended by no more than 180 days. For other people, the stay period may be extended by no more than 90 days.
10. Holders of X2-visas should submit a letter of enrollment certificate issued by an educational or training institution within the territory of China. The stay period can be extended by no more than 180 days.
The extension of the visa stay period shall not exceed the original stay period indicated on the visa in total.
(III) Supporting documents required for visa renewal application
For foreigners who need to change the purpose of their stay in accordance with national regulations, be granted entry facilitation, or apply for a replacement of an ordinary visa due to objective reasons after entering the country with a new passport or a group visa, the following supporting documents shall be submitted:
1. To apply for the renewal of an F-visa, a letter issued by the inviting entity should be submitted. A zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa with an entry validity of no more than five years and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be renewed.
2. To apply for the renewal of a J2-visa, a certificate letter issued by the foreign affairs department of the provincial people's government should be submitted. A zero-entry visa with a stay period of no more than 30 days can be renewed.
3. To apply for an M-visa renewal, a letter issued by the inviting entity should be submitted. A zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa with an entry validity period of no more than five years and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be renewed.
4. To apply for the renewal of a Q2-visa, a letter issued by the person being visited, identity proof, and proof or statement of family relationship should be submitted. A zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa with an entry validity period of no more than five years and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be renewed.
5. To apply for the renewal of an R-visa, one should submit proof materials that meet the conditions and requirements for the introduction of foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents as determined by the competent authorities of the Chinese government. A zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa with an entry validity period of no more than 10 years and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be renewed.
6. When applying for the renewal of an S2-visa, visitors should submit a letter issued by the person being visited, the foreigner's residence permit, and proof or statement of family relationship. A zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa with an entry validity period of no more than 5 years and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be renewed. Other personnel should submit relevant supporting documents for humanitarian reasons. A zero-entry or single-entry visa with an entry validity of no more than three months and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be renewed.
7. To apply for the renewal of an X2-visa, one should submit a letter issued by an educational or training institution within China and a certificate of admission or enrollment. A zero-entry, single-entry or double-entry visa with an entry validity of no more than one year and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be renewed.
8. Foreigners who wish to apply for a new passport due to the expiration of their passport or the depletion of visa pages, etc., shall submit the passport they held at the time of entry or relevant proof issued by the embassy or consulate of their home country in China that the passport held at the time of entry has been retrieved. They may be issued a new visa that matches the type of visa, the validity period of entry, the duration of stay, and the remaining valid number of entries on the original visa. The number of visa entries will be reissued based on the remaining valid entry entries of the original visa.
9. If a foreigner adds a companion after entering the country, they should submit the passport held at the time of entry and the birth certificate of the companion. They may apply for a new visa in accordance with relevant regulations.
10. Foreigners who enter the country on group visas and apply for stay in separate groups shall submit materials such as a letter of proof from the receiving travel agency. It can be reissued in accordance with relevant regulations.
The duration of stay for visa renewal shall not exceed one year consecutively accumulated from the date of entry this time.
(IV) Supporting documents required for visa reissuance
Foreigners who apply for a replacement visa after entering the country due to the loss, damage or theft of the visa they hold shall submit the following supporting documents:
1. If a visa is lost or stolen, one should submit a certificate of loss of their passport or a note from the embassy or consulate of their home country in China, as well as a new valid passport or other international travel document.
2. If a visa is damaged, the applicant should present the damaged passport or a note from the embassy or consulate of the applicant's home country in China, as well as a new valid passport or other international travel document.
3. If a group visa is lost, stolen, robbed or damaged, a letter of proof from the local receiving travel agency and a copy of the group visa should be submitted.
A visa that matches the original visa type, validity period of entry, duration of stay, and the remaining number of valid entries of the original visa can be reissued.

VII. Basic Procedures and Methods for Handling
(I) Application. Foreigners applying for the extension, renewal or replacement of their visas shall go through the relevant procedures at the exit-entry administration of the public security organ in person. Where the relevant regulations are met, the application may be made on behalf of the applicant by the inviting entity or individual, the applicant's relatives, or the relevant specialized service agency.
(II) Acceptance. The accepting authority decides whether to accept the case after review. If the application matter falls within the purview of this administrative organ and the application materials are complete and meet the requirements, it shall be accepted on the spot and a receipt of acceptance shall be issued. If the procedures and materials for applying for a visa are incomplete, the applicant should be informed at one time of the procedures that need to be fulfilled and the application materials that need to be supplemented.
(III) Review. The exit-entry administration of the public security organ shall strengthen verification, verify the authenticity of the application reasons through interviews, telephone inquiries, on-site investigations and other means, and review and confirm that the applicant is of foreign nationality. Notify the applicant or relevant units or individuals for an interview. If they fail to attend the interview within the agreed time without a valid reason, the visa or document may not be issued in accordance with the law.
(IV) Decision. If the conditions and standards are met, the decision-making institution will issue the corresponding category of visa.

VIII. Completion Time Limit
After review, if the application for visa extension, renewal or replacement by a foreigner meets the acceptance conditions, it shall be accepted and a receipt of acceptance shall be issued. A decision on whether to issue the application shall be made within the validity period of the receipt of acceptance. The validity period of the acceptance receipt for visa and document applications shall not exceed 7 working days from the date of acceptance.

IX. Fee Standards
1. Zero-entry visa (for non-equivalent countries) : 160 yuan per person;
2. One-time visa (for non-equivalent countries) : 206 yuan per person;
3. Second visa (for non-equivalent countries) : 313 yuan per person;
4. Six-month multiple-entry (including six-month) visa (for non-equivalent countries) : 413 yuan per person;
5. Multiple-entry visa for one year (inclusive) (non-equivalent countries) : 619 yuan per person;
6. Increase or decrease of accompanying persons (non-equivalent countries) : 160 yuan per person;
7. Equivalent countries shall charge fees in accordance with the prescribed standards.

X. Delivery of Results
The foreigner visa approved and issued must be collected in person by the applicant at the Exit-Entry Administration of the public security organ with the acceptance receipt.

XI. Applicant's Obligations
In accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the applicant shall fulfill the following obligations:
1. Truthfully submit relevant materials to the administrative organ and reflect the true situation, and be responsible for the authenticity of the substantive content of the application materials.
2. Cooperate with administrative authorities in interviews, phone inquiries, on-site investigations, etc., to verify the authenticity of the application materials;
3. Other obligations as prescribed by laws and regulations.

XII. Other Matters needing Attention
(I) Family members: including spouse, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings, grandparents, maternal grandparents, grandchildren, maternal grandchildren, and spouses of children.
(II) Family member relationship certificates and kinship certificates: Marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption certificates, other kinship certificates and related notarizations issued by relevant national authorities; Marriage certificates, birth certificates, certificates of kinship, and certificates of changes in names and other materials issued by the embassies or consulates of the country to which one belongs in China.
(III) Marriage certificates, birth certificates, certificates of kinship, and certificates of changes in names and other materials issued by foreign competent authorities or notary departments shall be authenticated by the Chinese embassies or consulates in that country. Foreign official documents issued by the relevant departments of the contracting states of the Convention on the Cancellation of the Requirements for Certification of Foreign Official Documents shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.
(IV) Identity proof: The identity proof for residents of the Chinese mainland refers to the local permanent residence household registration certificate or the proof of actual residence for more than six months (including residence permit, rental contract, social security payment certificate, employment (study) certificate, medical treatment certificate, living fee payment certificate and other relevant materials that can prove actual residence for more than six months) and the resident identity card. The overseas Chinese identity certificate refers to the Chinese passport and the certificate of settlement abroad. The identity certificate for Hong Kong and Macao residents refers to the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents. The Taiwan resident identity certificate refers to the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents. A foreigner's identity certificate refers to a foreigner's permanent residence permit. Overseas Chinese and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan should also submit proof of residence in their actual place of residence for more than six months.

Source: Xiamen Public Security Bureau