How to apply visa for China (mainland)
1. In accordance with the relevant arrangement, the Embassy of China in Singapore will make adjustments on visa application requirements for business, work, study and family visits to China. The updated application procedures and material requirements are as follows:
1.1 Fill out the visa application form online (https://bio.visaforchina.cn/SGP3_EN/qianzhengyewu ), download and print out the full application form, and sign the confirmation page. Submit the application in person at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) and collect the fingerprints.
1.2 The Chinese Embassy in Singapore does not directly process visa applications from normal visa holders. Please go to the CVASC (Please refer to https://www.visaforchina.cn/SGP2_EN/aboutus/258172.shtml for details about CVASC) to apply for China Visa. The application for exemption from fingerprinting can be submitted by an agent or agency (no power of attorney is required).
1.3 Attention
1.3.1 The following applicants can be exempt from fingerprint collection:
a. Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70;
b. Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for diplomatic, official and courtesy visas;
c. Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past five years at the Chinese Embassy or the CVASC in Singapore with the same passport；
d. Applicants with all fingers mutilated or uncollectible.
e. From 9 August, 2023 to 31 December, 2023, eligible applicants can be exempt from fingerprints collection who apply for one or two entry visas for business, tourism, short-term visits, transit and crew purposes.
1.3.2 The Embassy reminds the applicant must go to collect fingerprints in person. If it is found that someone else is pretending to be the applicant to collect fingerprints, the person concerned will be refused to enter China and bear the corresponding consequences.
1.3.3 The applicant may be required to go to the embassy for an interview wherever necessary.
1.3.4 The applicant or agent can go to the CVASC to collect the visa at the earliest time marked on the collection form unless otherwise notified by the Embassy. Postal visa services are not provided.
1.3.5 Once a visa application is approved, it is irrevocable. Applicants need to pay relevant fees.
2. Processing Time
2.1 Regular service: 3 working days. Visa can be picked up on the 4th working day.
2.2 Rush service: 2 working days. Visa can be picked up on the 3rd working day.
2.3 The above processing time is general, some applications may take longer to process, so the processing time is uncertain. In such cases, applicants need to wait for notification from the embassy.
3. Application Basic Documents:
- A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page.
- Visa application form and a recent passport photo.
(3) Proof of legal residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship). If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates or visa of residence, employment or student status.
(4) A photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to applicants who were Chinese citizens before and have obtained foreign citizenship)
If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.
If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page, as well as the previous Chinese visa page. (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change.)
4.Visa Category
Categories of Visa | Description | Required Documents |
C-Visa | Issued to foreign crew members | A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China. |
D-Visa | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. | The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China. We kindly remind you that: Holders of D Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits. |
F-Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities. | An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain: (1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) (2) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures) (3) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual) |
G-Visa | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region. |
J1-Visa J2-Visa | Issued to foreign journalists (J1: The intended duration of stay exceeds 180 days. J2: The intended duration of stay is no more than 180 days.) | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works. Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete relevant formalities. We kindly remind you that: Holders of J1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits. |
L-Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist. | Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter should contain: (1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) (2) Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.) (3) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual) |
M-Visa
| Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. | Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual. |
Q1-Visa Q2-Visa | Issued to foreign family members of Chinese citizens or foreign family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China. *"family members" refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, spouses of children, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren.
| ① Certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, household register, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual ② An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China ③ Proof of the inviting individual's Chinese identity (e.g. Chinese ID card, household register), or foreigner's passport and Chinese permanent residence permit |
R-Visa | Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China. | “Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents” *Spouses and children under the age of 18 submit proof of relationship (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) to apply for an S2 visa. |
S1-Visa S2-Visa | Issued to spouse, parents, children under the age of 18, parents of the spouse of the holder of a Z or X1 visa or work or study category residence permit. | ① Original certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual ② An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or study) ③ A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and residence permit *If an adult child and his/her spouse apply for a Family Visit (S2) visa, in addition to the above documents, they must submit the appropriate statement of circumstances as required by the consular officer |
X1-Visa | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. | (1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China. (2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202). We kindly remind you that: Holders of X1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits. |
X2-Visa | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. | Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China. |
Z-Visa | Issued to those who intend to work in China. | One of the following documents: (1) The "Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit" issued by the Foreign Experts Bureau or the original "Foreigner's Work Permit"; (2) "Invitation Letter for Foreigners Engaged in Offshore Oil Operation in the People's Republic of China" issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation; (3) The "Registration Certificate of Foreign Enterprises Permanent Offices in China" issued by the Administration Department for Industry and Commerce, or the "Certificate of Approval of Permanent Representatives of Foreign Enterprises" issued by the Commercial Department; (4) The Confirmation Letter on the Qualification of the Representative of the Permanent Representative Office of the Foreign Government Tourism Department issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; (5) The original copy of the commercial performance approval document issued by the competent cultural authority (if the performance period does not exceed 90 days, the "Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit" must also be provided). We kindly remind you that Holders of Z Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits. |
Special reminder:
- The invitation letter may be faxed, photocopied or printed, but the visa officer may require the applicant to provide the original invitation letter.
- The visa officer may request additional supporting documents or supplementary materials from the applicant or request an interview wherever necessary.
- The visa officer decide the period of validity,number of entries and duration of each stay according to the specific circumstance of the applicant.
5. Fees
Item
| Fees(SGD) | Rush service fee (Pick up on the 3rd working day) | ||
Singapore citizen | Citizens of other countires* | |||
China Visa (Exclude China Visa Application Service Center service fee)
| Single Entry | 25 | 50 | 35 |
Double Entry | 35 | 70 | ||
6-month Multiple Entry | 45 | 100 | ||
12-Month Multiple Entry | 65 | 150 | ||
*:According to the principle of reciprocity, citizens of some countries may have different fees for applying for Chinese visas. Please refer to the specific explanation of the Chinese Embassy.