|
Who requires
a student visa?
Anyone entering China for longer than 48 hours requires a visa.
For students, one of two visas is issued, depending on the duration of
study program:
Less than 6 months: Visitor 'F' visa
Longer than 6 months: Student 'X' visa
What
documents will be required?
Visa applications may require the following:
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months for a single entry within
3 months of the date of visa issue; at least 9 months for double or
multiple entries within 6 months.
Completed application form
Passport-sized photos
Proof of travel itinerary, hotel booking, return ticket, etc.
Proof of sufficient funds
Letter of acceptance from Chinese institute
In addition, those staying for longer than 6 months will require a
medical examination.
Additional
documents may be required for other types of visa:
Business
visa:
Official invitation from a Chinese governmental department or a
government-approved company indicating duration of stay.
Applications should be made 1 month in advance. Postal applications
take longer to process than those made in person.
Transit visa:
Travellers may be required to show a visa for the next country of
destination or an airline ticket.
Time required to issue visa:
3-7 days, if applying directly at consulate. Allow up to 1 month for
mail/other applications.
What is the cost of a visa?
Tourist/Business (UK nationals): £30 (Single-entry); £45
(Double-entry); £60 (Multiple-entry for 6 months); £90 (Multiple-entry
for 12 months). Transit (UK nationals): £30 (Single-entry); £45
(Double-entry).
Tourist/Business/Transit (other nationals) and Group: cost
varies according to nationality.
Express Services cost £20 (for visas issued the same day) and
£15 (for visas issued within 24-48 hours.
Note: An additional £20 must be enclosed with all postal
applications to cover handling and postal charges.
How long is the visa valid for?
A
visitor ‘F' visa is valid for up to 6 months, and is
usually single-entry.
Student ‘X' visas are valid for up to 12 months, and
allow multiple-entries.
Other information:
Work is
strictly prohibited for anyone in China on a tourist or student visa.
Visitors should be aware of which areas of China they are permitted to
enter.
The
majority of visits to China tend to be organised through the official
state travel agency CITS (China International Travel Service). This
liaison with CITS is generally handled by the tour operator organising
the inclusive holiday chosen by the visitor, though it is possible for
individuals to organise their own itinerary. Once the tour itinerary
details have been confirmed to the visitor or visiting group, finances
to cover accommodation and the cost of the tour must be deposited with
CITS through a home bank. Evidence of the payment of funds for the
tour must be presented to CITS officials on arrival. Once again, for
package trips, all the necessary formalities for a visit to China can
be handled by the tour operator concerned.
Those wishing to visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel
group. Individual travellers need a special permit and should obtain
permission to visit Tibet from the following organisation before
applying for a visa: Tibet Tourism Administration, Yuanlin Road, Lhasa,
Tibet 850001, People's Republic of China (tel: (891) 633 5472; fax:
(891) 683 4632).
Alternatively, contact the Tibetan Tourist Office, Room 3423 Poly
Plaza, 14 Dongzhimenanjie, Beijing (tel: (10) 65 00 11 88 (ext 3423)
or 65 93 65 38; fax: (10) 65 91 82 58 or 65 93 65 38)
Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest Chinese embassy for information on what
documentation you may require to enter China.
Chinese Embassies to Other Nations. |
