It’s now a relief for travelers as China declared in March 2023 that it has recommenced issuing all types of visas. Foreign travelers and tourists from the UAE can now apply for a China visit visa from Dubai to travel to China.
The announcement by China’s authority came after months of gradually lifting COVID-19 travel restrictions, including removing quarantines, vaccination and testing requirements and travel codes. Conditions for both domestic and international travel have since been loosened, and currently, there are minimal Covid-19 measures for travel to China.
China followed a gradual approach to easing the travel restrictions, and the latest information is spread through a succession of updates. The China visit visa was the last to be reopened for application. The country also said it would reinstate the 10-year visas that had previously been suspended to facilitate the travel of many foreign visitors.
What Types of China Visa are Available?
Below are the visas currently available to travel to China:
- Tourist Visa (L) – granted to people visiting China for tourism purposes.
- Business visa (M) – the M visa is issued to travelers seeking to travel to China for commercial and trade activities. An invitation letter is usually issued by a trade partner in China when applying for a visa.
- Non-commerce Visa (F) – The visa is granted to people traveling to China for non-commercial purposes such as research, lecture and cultural exchanges. An invitation letter for this visa is normally issued by a relevant institution or individual in China.
- Work Visa (Z) – visa Z is issued to those traveling to China for employment. You need a valid Notification Letter of Foreigners Work to get this visa.
- Study visa (X1) – This visa is issued to people intending to study in China for more than 180 days. Applicants need an original JW201 /?JW202 Form and the original admission letter issued by an institution in China.
- Study visa (X2) – this study visa is granted to those intending to study in China for less than 180 days. Applicants must have an original admission letter issued by an institution in China.
- S1 Visa – this visa is granted to people intending to travel to China to visit foreigners working or studying in China or those visiting the country for private matters and intend to stay for more than 180 days. Applicants must provide an invitation letter issued by a foreigner in China, a copy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit or their visa application documents.
- S2 Visa- this is granted to people visiting family members with a Z or X visa or those visiting the country for less than 180 days for private affairs.
- Q1 Visa – this visa is granted to family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents intending to stay in the country for longer than 180 days. Applicants must have an invitation letter and a copy of the inviting individual’s Chinese ID or passport.
- Q2 Visa – This visa is given to relatives of Chinese nationals or permanent residents and are visiting China temporarily.
- R Visa – granted to high-end talent according to China’s tiered work permit classification system
- C Visa – granted to crewmembers on international aviation, land transportation missions, and sea navigation, together with their accompanying family members.
- D Visa – also known as the ‘Chinese green card’, this visa is granted to people planning to live in China permanently.
- G Visa – granted to people intending to transit through China. Applicants must have an onward ticket with a confirmed date and destination.
- J1/J2 – granted to journalists entering China for reporting and interviews.
How to Apply for the China Visit Visa in 2023
You can apply for a China visit through a Chinese Visa Application Service Center near you or through an authorized travel agent. When applying via an agent, you need to send them all the necessary documents for review. The documents needed to apply for a visa vary according to the type of visa you are applying for and where you are applying from. The agency representatives will help with your application and book you an appointment at the visa application center.
Attend your appointment to submit the application form and the supporting documents. When the visa is ready, you will be notified to go pick it up together with your passport. If you use the services of a travel agency, you will be required to pay a service fee on top of the visa fee, which is paid to the visa application center directly.
Are There Any COVID-19 Testing Requirements in China Today?
PCR tests for people traveling to China were abolished as of April 29 2023. You need to fill out the Health Declaration Form on the China Customs We Chat mini-program, app or website to declare your test results. If you test Covid-19 positive, you should wait until you test negative to travel to China.
You do not need COVID-19 tests to board a flight to China, and you won’t be subjected to tests when you enter the country. If you test positive while in the country, you can self-isolate in your residence or seek medical help if necessary. You are advised to take basic precautionary measures when traveling around China as there are still cases of COVID-19 in the country.