Visa and Permit Application

(I) Types of visa
Chinese visas are classiffed as Diplomatic visa, Courtesy visa, Business visa, and General visa. General visas are further classiffed into following types, which are marked by a corresponding Chinese phonetic alphabet: 
1. C visa is issued to crew members of trains, aircraft and ships on international travels, ffights or voyages, their accompanying family members and motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities.
2. D visa is issued to foreign nationals who come to reside permanently in China.
3. F visa is issued to foreign nationals who come to China for visits, inspection tours, lectures, and exchanges.
4. G visa is issued to foreign nationals who transit through China.
5. J-1 visa is issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China, and J-2 Visa is issued to foreign journalists who come to China for short-term news coverage.
6. L visa is issued to foreign nationals who come to China for tourism. Those who come as a tourist group may be granted a group visa.

7. M visa is issued to those who come to China for commercial and trade activities.
8. Q1 visa is issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and apply to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. Q2 visa is issued to those who apply to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China for a short period of time.
9. R visa is issued to those who are high-level talents needed by China or with specialized skills urgently needed in China.
10. S1 visa is issued to those who intend to stay in China for a long time to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs.
S2 visa is issued to those who intend to stay in China for a short period of time to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters.
11. X1 visa is issued to those who intend to study in China for a long time.
X2 visa is issued to those who intend to study in China for a short period of time.
12. Z visa is issued to those who intend to take up employment in China.
(II) Documents required for visa extension and renewal
Application for visa extension and renewal shall be made 7 days before 
the expiration of the visa validity. The applicants shall respond to questions and 
provide the following documents during the application:
1. Valid passport or other international travel documents and the original and photocopy of his or her valid passport and visa;
2. Completed Foreign National Visa Application Form;
3. A digital photo for the purpose of Guangdong entry/exit documents and its Inspection Note;
4. The Overseas Personnel Temporary Accommodation Form valid in Guangzhou;
5. Other relevant supporting documents;
6. Other certiffcates as required by the public security authority.
The extension of the visa stay may not exceed, in aggregate, the period of stay originally indicated in the visa. The period of stay for renewed visa may not exceed one year in total from the date of the current entry.
(III) Visa replacement
If a foreigner applies for a replacement due to loss, theft or damage of a general visa after entry, a general visa with the same type, validity of entry, number of entries and validity of stay as the original can be issued. The applicant shall apply in accordance with the following requirements:
1. A foreigner whose passport is lost or stolen shall provide a Proof of Loss or a statement from the embassy or consulate of his or her home country in China as well as a new passport or other international travel document.
2. A foreigner whose passport is damaged shall provide the damaged passport or a statement from the embassy or consulate of his or her home country in China as well as a new passport or other international travel document.
3. A foreigner whose group visa is lost, stolen or damaged, shall provide a letter of certiffcation from the local travel agency and a photocopy of the group visa.
4. In addition to the above information, the applicant shall also provide his or her Foreigners' Accommodation Registration Form valid in Guangzhou, a visa photo for foreigners in Guangdong Province and its Inspection Note.
5. Other certiffcates as required by the public security authority.
(IV) Types of residence permit
1. Work-Type Residence Permit is issued to foreign nationals who work in Guangzhou. They shall enter China with Z visa and apply for work-type residence permit within 30 days from the date of their entry.
2. Study-Type Residence Permit is issued to foreign students who study in Guangzhou for a long time. They shall enter China with X1 visa and apply for study-type residence permit within 30 days from the date of their entry.
3. Foreign Journalist Residence Permit is issued to resident foreign journalists in China. They shall enter China with J1 visa and apply for foreign journalist residence permit within 30 days from the date of their entry.
4. Family Reunion Residence Permit is issued to Chinese citizens or foreign family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who apply for residence in Guangzhou due to family reunion, as well as foreign children under 18 years of age of Chinese with a foreign nationality or overseas Chinese in Guangzhou due to foster care. They shall enter China with Q1 visa and apply for family reunion residence permit within 30 days from the date of their entry.
5. Private Business Residence Permit is issued to the spouse, parents, children under 18 years of age, parents-in-law of foreigners residing in Guangzhou for work and study as well as foreigners who need to reside in China for medical assistance, service or other private affairs. They shall enter China with S1 visa and apply for private business residence permit within 30 days from the date of their entry.
(V) Documents required for Visa and Permit application
1. Documents required for application of work-type residence permit for the ffrst time

Foreigners coming to work in Guangzhou shall enter with Z Visa and apply for work-type residence permit within 30 days from the date of their entry.
The applicant shall respond to questions and provide the following documents during application:
(1) The original and photocopy of his or her valid passport and visa;
(2) Completed Foreign National Visa and Residence Application Form;
(3) A digital photo for the purpose of Guangdong entry/exit documents and its Inspection Note;
(4) The Overseas Personnel Temporary Accommodation Form valid in Guangzhou;
(5) Health Certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (required when applying residence permit for the ffrst time);
(6) Notification Letter of Foreigners Work Permit, Foreign Expert Certificate or Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China, Permit for Foreign Nationals to Engage in Offshore Oil Operations in the People's Republic of China, or photocopy of approval document for performances issued by agencies authorized by the cultural authority (the original document need to be veriffed);
(7) A conffrmation letter from the employer;
(8) Applicants who enter China with other types of visa may apply for work-type residence permit valid for one year or less with work permit certiffcate issued by human resources and social security department or foreign experts department;
(9) Other certiffcates as required by the public security authority.
2. Documents required for work-type residence permit extension
(1) The original and photocopy of applicant’s valid passport and visa;
(2) Foreign National Visa and Residence Application Form;
(3) A digital photo for the purpose of Guangdong entry/exit documents and its Inspection Note; 
(4) The Overseas Personnel Temporary Accommodation Form valid in Guangzhou;
(5) Notification Letter of Foreigners Work Permit, Foreign Expert Certificate or Foreigners Employment Permit of the People’s Republic of China, Permit for Foreign Nationals to Engage in Offshore Oil Operations in the People's Republic of China, or photocopy of approval document for performances issued by agencies authorized by the cultural authority (the original document need to be veriffed);

(6) A conffrmation letter from the employer;
(7) Other certiffcates as required by the public security authority. 
3. Documents required for S2 visa extension for family members of employees 
Family members of foreigners who stay or reside in China for work and study (“family members”refer to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters, sons-inlaw and daughters in law) shall hold a S2 visa when they come to China for family visit over a short period of time. If they intend to stay longer than the visa stay period, they shall apply for a visa extension 7 days before the visa validity expires.
The applicant shall respond to questions and provide the following documents during application:
(1) Valid passport or other international travel documents and the original and photocopy of his or her valid passport and visa;
(2) Completed Foreign National Visa and Residence Application Form;
(3) A digital photo for the purpose of Guangdong entry/exit documents and its Inspection Note;
(4) The Overseas Personnel Temporary Accommodation Form valid in Guangzhou;
(5) Family member relationship certiffcate, photocopy of passport, visa or stay/residence permit of the person visited (the original document need to be veriffed), and a letter issued by the person visited;
(6) Other certiffcates as required by the public security authority. 
4. Documents required for private business residence permit for family members of employees
Spouses, parents, children under the 18 years of age and parents-in-law of foreigners residing in Guangzhou due to work and study shall enter China with S1visa if they intend to reside in China and apply for private business residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry.
The applicant shall respond to questions and provide the following documents during application:
(1) The original and photocopy of his or her valid passport and visa;
(2) Completed Foreign National Visa and Residence Application Form;
(3) A digital photo for the purpose of Guangdong entry/exit documents and its Inspection Note;
(4) The Overseas Personnel Temporary Accommodation Form valid in Guangzhou;
(5) Health Certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (required when applying for residence permit for the ffrst time);
(6) To visit a permanent resident foreigner in China, the applicant shall also provide photocopies of the valid passport and residence permit of the former (the original document needs to be veriffed), as well as the certiffcation letter, and kinship certificate issued by the organization where he works or studies;
(7) Other certiffcates as required by the public security authority.
5. Documents required for stay permit application
If an employee needs to stay for humanitarian reasons after the end of his or her employment, he or she may apply to the entry-exit administration department of the local public security authority for a stay permit. The applicant shall respond to questions and provide the following materials during application:
(1) Valid passport or other international travel documents and the original and photocopy of his or her valid passport and visa;
(2) Completed Foreign National Visa and Residence Application Form;
(3) A digital photo for the purpose of Guangdong entry/exit documents and its Inspection Note;
(4) The Overseas Personnel Temporary Accommodation Form valid in Guangzhou;
(5) Letter of Employment Termination from his/her previous employer;
(6) Other certiffcates as required by the public security authority.
(VI) Documents required for visa and permit reissue
After entering China, where a foreigner applies for visa and permit reissue due to the loss, theft or damage of a valid general visa, stay permit or residence permit held, a general visa, stay permit or residence permit which is the same with the original can be issued. The applicant is required to submit the following documents:
1. Basic documents
(1) His or her valid passport or other international travel documents and the original and photocopy of his or her passport and visa;
(2) The Overseas Personnel Temporary Accommodation Form valid in Guangzhou;
(3) A digital photo for the purpose of Guangdong entry/exit documents and its Inspection Note;
(4) Other certiffcates as required by the public security authority.
2. Relevant supporting documents
(1) Where a visa or stay permit is lost or stolen:Proof of Passport Loss or the statement from the embassy or consulate of his or her home country in China or Police Reporting Receipt;
(2) Where a visa or stay permit is damaged:
A. The damaged passport;
B. Completed Case/Incidence Report Form;
C. A statement from the embassy or consulates of the applicant’s home country in China if there is.
(3) Where a group visa is lost, stolen or damaged:
A. A receipt of case reporting issued by the police station;
B. A letter of certiffcation from the local travel agency;
C. Photocopy of the group visa.
(4) Where a residence permit is lost or stolen:
A. A Proof of Passport Loss or a statement from the embassy or consulate of applicant's home country in China or Police Reporting Receipt;
B. Foreign employees and students are required to submit a conffrmation letter from their organizations;
C. Where the residence permit is lost or stolen abroad, the original and photocopy of the visa held at the time of entry shall also be submitted;
D. Where the residence permit is lost or stolen abroad and the applicant stays abroad for more than 30 days, he or she shall take a new physical examination.
(5) Where a residence permit is damaged:
A. The damaged passport;
B. Completed Case/Incident Report Form;
C. A statement from the embassy or consulates of his or her home country in China if there is;
D. Foreign employees and students shall submit a conffrmation letter from their organizations;
E. The original and photocopy of the visa held at the time of entry if the residence permit is damaged abroad;
F. A new physical examination if the residence permit is damaged abroad and the applicant stays abroad for more than 30 days.
(VII) Notes for visa and permit application
1. To apply for a visa, stay and residence permit, foreigners need to log into the service application page of www.gzjd.gov.cn (the official website of Guangzhou Public Security Bureau) and select “foreigner’s certificate processing” for online appointment, or visit the online application desk of Guangzhou Entry-Exit Administration Building for on-site appointment. Organizations issuing confirmation letter for foreigners'application for visa, stay and residence permit need to log into the service application page of www.gzjd.gov.cn and select “foreign-related organizations ffling” for online filling. Those passing the filing review are waived of registration certificate when applying for foreigners' visa, stay and residence permit.
2. Foreigners working in China shall hold both work permit and worktype residence permit.
3. When the registered information in a foreigner’s residence permit has changed, the holder shall, within 10 days from the date of change, report to the issuing organ for the change of the information.
4. Applicants aged between 18 and 70 shall submit Health Certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau when applying for residence permit for the first time.
5. Marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certificate, adoption certificate, certificate of information change such as name change, issued by organizations of a foreign country shall be authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulates in that country. Certificates in a foreign language shall be translated into Chinese by a notary offfce in China.
6. Foreigners residing in China who apply for an extension of their residence period shall submit an application to the entry-exit administration department of the public security authority at or above the county level in the place of residence 30 days before the expiration of the validity period of their residence permit.
7. If a foreigner's visa application meets the acceptance requirement, the entry-exit department of the public security authority shall issue an acceptancereceipt and decide whether to issue the visa within the prescribed time of the receipt. The time limit for processing the visa is 7 working days (investigation time excluded if the public security authority needs to investigate and verify relevant matters). When the passport or other international travel documents are kept for the purpose of visa application, the applicant can legally stay in China with the acceptance receipt. If he or she needs to travel to other cities in China by plane or train, the applicant can apply to afffx the special entry-exit seal on the acceptance receipt. The applicant shall collect the passport from the entry-exit administration department of the public security authority on the date indicated in the acceptance receipt.