1. Application Procedures
1.1 Fill out the Visa Application Form online (https://www.visaforchina.cn/), print out the confirmation page and the full form, and sign on the bottom of the confirmation page and on item 9 of the form.
1.2 Submit the application in person to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Sydney and have all ten fingerprints collected there.
*The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprint collection (and they can authorize other persons to submit visa applications on their behalf):
(1) Applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 70;
(2) Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for diplomatic, service or courtesy visas;
(3) Applicants who have applied for visas at the same Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center with the same passport, with fingerprints already collected, within the past five years;
(4) Applicants with all ten fingers amputated or the fingerprint of none of whose ten fingers can be collected;
(5) Applicants for single- or double-entry visas (within 180 days of stay) are exempted from fingerprint collection before and on December 31, 2026, according to the announcement of the Chinese Government.
2. Documents Required
2.1 Passport: the original of a passport with over 6 months’ validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the information page of the passport
2.2 Visa Application Form and Photo: a printed copy of the Visa Application Form completed online, and one recent, front-facing, color (with a light background), bareheaded photo uploaded within the form
2.3 Proof of legal stay or residence status in Australia (applicable to non-Australian citizens)
2.4 Previous Chinese passport (applicable to foreign citizens who used to be Chinese citizens) or previous Chinese visas:
2.4.1 If a foreign citizen who used to be a Chinese citizen is applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, the original former Chinese passport and one photocopy of its personal information page should be submitted. (The personal information pages of both the former Chinese passport and the current foreign passport should be photocopied on the same sheet.)
2.4.2 If a foreign citizen who was issued a Chinese visa before is applying for a Chinese visa with a different foreign passport, a photocopy of the information page of the previous passport and a photocopy of the previous Chinese visa should be submitted.
2.4.3 If the name on the current foreign passport differs from that on the previous Chinese passport or the previous Chinese visa, an official document issued by competent authorities on the name change should be submitted.
2.5 Other documents required for different visa types are listed as follows:
Visa Type | Purpose | Required Documents |
L | Persons traveling for tourism. | Itinerary documents including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by an entity or individual in China |
M | Persons traveling for commercial and trade activities, or to participate in sports or non-sports competitions. | An invitation letter issued by the trade partner or event organizer within China |
F | Non-commercial activities such as exchanges, visits, and study tours | An invitation letter issued by the relevant entity or individual in China |
Z | Work | The original of the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners or the Work Permit for Foreigners |
X1 | Long-term study (for more than 180 days) | (1) A photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202) and the original or a photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by the school in China (2) The original or a photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Elementary-Stage Foreign Students to Study in China, if the applicant is foreign elementary or secondary school student (Note: Foreign elementary and secondary school students residing in China long-term for reasons such as family reunion are not required to reapply for an X1 visa.) |
X2 | Short-term study (for no more than 180 days) | The original or a photocopy of the Admission Notice issued by the receiving institution in China The original or a photocopy of “Information Form for Foreign Students' Short-term Visit” (known as DQ form, if available) |
Q1 | Family reunion (for more than 180 days) for family members of Chinese citizens, or family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent resident status , and for those who intend to enter and stay in China for the purpose of foster care
“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, and granddaughters. | (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent resident status residing in China (2) A photocopy of the inviting party’s Chinese ID card or foreign passport and the permanent resident ID card (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviting party (4) If the purpose of stay is foster care: A. Original and photocopy of the foster care entrustment document, notarized by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General, or by a notary office in China, or authenticated by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General B. Original and photocopy of the entrusting party’s passport, along with proof of kinship between the applicant and the entrusting party, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, a kinship certificate issued by a public security authority, or a notarized kinship certificate C. Letter of consent for foster care issued by the trustee residing in China, and a photocopy of the trustee’s Chinese ID card D. If either parent of the child holds Chinese citizenship, a photocopy of the certificate showing the parent(s)’ permanent resident status abroad at the time of the child’s birth must also be provided. |
Q2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180 days) to a relative who is a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with Chinese permanent resident status residing in China | (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreign citizen with permanent residence status in China (the letter must specify the kinship) (2) A photocopy of the inviting party’s Chinese identity card or the foreign passport and permanent residence permit (both front and back) |
S1 | Long-term family visit (for more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a spouse, parent, son or daughter under the age of 18, or parent-in-law, or long-term stay in China for other private affairs | (1) An invitation letter from the inviting party (the foreigner residing in China) (2) A photocopy of the inviting party’s passport and residence permit (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviting party (Note: For other private affairs, relevant supporting documents must be provided as required.) |
S2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a family member, or short-term stay in China for other private affairs
“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, and granddaughters. | For family visits: (1) An invitation letter from the inviting party (the foreigner residing in China) (2) A photocopy of the inviting party’s passport and residence permit (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviting party (Note: For other private affairs, relevant supporting documents must be provided as required.) |
R | High-level foreign talents or foreigners whose skills are urgently needed in China. | Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talents (Note: No appointment is required; applications may be submitted directly to the Consulate-General.) |
C | Foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships. | Guarantee Letter from the foreign transport company or an invitation letter from a relevant entity in China |
D | Applicants who intend to reside in China permanently | The original and a photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s Permanent Resident Status |
G | Applicants who intend to transit through China | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date to the destination country or region |
J1 | Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and official letters from the applicant’s employer |
J2 | Foreign journalists who intend to enter China for short-term news coverage | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized entities in China, and official letters from the applicant’s employer |
2.6 For visa applications for emergency humanitarian reasons (such as attending a funeral or visiting a person critically ill), relevant proof documents should be submitted.
3. Special Reminders
3.1 On filling in the form online:
Please read the system prompts carefully and fill in the form in a truthful, complete, and accurate manner, and upload the the photo of the applicant in line with the standards. If such information as the name, gender, date of birth, passport number, passport issuance country, etc. is incorrect, or the photo is of someone else, or the key information in the application form is intentionally concealed or falsely stated, the application will be rejected or returned, and the applicant will need to submit a new application form online.
3.2 On the invitation letter:
The invitation letter can be a fax, photocopy, or printout, unless otherwise specified. The invitation letter should contain:
3.2.1 Information on the applicant: name, gender, date of birth, and nationality, etc.
3.2.2 Information on the visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, and financial sources for expenditures in China, etc.
3.2.3 Information on the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, nationality and signature of the inviting individual or of the legal representative of the inviting entity, etc.
3.3 If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant on a case-by-case basis.
3.4 Please ensure the visa is collected in a timely manner. Visas not collected within three months will be canceled and may affect future applications.