hina will resume issuing all types of China visa services in Hong Kong for foreigners, including the tourism visa, port visa, and multiple visa-exemption policies starting from March 15, 2023. It is the latest in a series of moves to reopen its border. Inbound travelers are advised to consult with their local China embassies or consulates for more detailed requirements and procedures.
On March 13 and 14, multiple Chinese embassies released the Notice on Further Adjustment of China Visa services and Entry Policies for Foreigners to China, which spelled out multiple necessary relaxations regarding visa issuance and entry of foreigners into China.
China visa services resumption: What are the policy adjustments, and which China visa services are impacted?
The adjustments to China visa services include the following:
- Valid multi-year multiple entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, by the Chinese visa authorities abroad shall resume function. (This will impact foreigners whose 10-year business or tourist visas are still valid.)
- Foreigners may apply for all types of visas (including those for tourism and medical treatment).
- Port visas shall again be issued per the relevant laws and regulations.
- The visa-exemption policy for Hainan, visa-exemption cruise policy for Shanghai, visa-exemption policy for foreigners to visit Guangdong from Hong Kong and Macao, and visa-exemption policy for ASEAN tour groups to Guilin and Guangxi shall resume operation.
These China visa issuance policy adjustments will be implemented as of 0:00 Beijing Time on March 15, 2023.
In general, several types of China visas are available, depending on the purpose and duration of your stay. The most common types of China visas are:
Tourist Visa (L Visa): This China visa is issued for tourism purposes and allows a stay of up to 30 days.
Business Visa (M Visa): This China visa is issued for business purposes, such as attending conferences, meetings, or negotiations, and allows a stay of up to 90 days.
Work Visa (Z Visa): This China visa is issued to foreign nationals hired to work in China and allows a stay of up to 90 days.
Student Visa (X Visa): This China visa is issued to international students who have been accepted to study in China and allows a stay of up to 180 days.
Transit Visa (G Visa): This China visa is issued for transit purposes and allows a stay of up to 7 days.
In addition to these visas, there are special visas for journalists, crew members, and those participating in cultural exchanges or sports events. It is essential to carefully review the requirements and restrictions for each type of visa before applying.
If there are any questions on the types of China visas appropriate to you, please contact our China visa agency team for assistance.
The above-mentioned China visa types are provided as part of our China visa services in Hong Kong.