Suzhou Expat - The expatriate portal in China

To travel in China, citizens of virtually all other countries need a visa. Getting a Chinese visa is easy for Western tourists, as you don't need an invitation, for example. Chinese Visa is quite cheap compared to other countries' visa fees. The usual tourist single-entry Chinese visa is valid for thirty days and must be used within three months after it was issued. In some cases, it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival to China, but it is recommended to get your visa in advance.

A Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese visa authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from or transit through China. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to an alien according to his status, purpose of visit to China or passport type. The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters C, D, F, G, J-1, J-2, L, X and Z.

Work Visa (also called "Z " visa or residence permit now) is issued to foreigners who will work in China for more than 6 months, and to their accompanying family members, i.e., their spouses, parents and children.
Any person suffering from mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China.

To obtain a work visa from overseas Chinese consulates or visa office in Hong Kong, you are required to provide two basic documents: an Alien Employment License or a Foreign Expert Confirmation Notice, and a Z visa Invitation letter (called invitation letter). Your Chinese employer is responsible for obtaining the two documents from the local governments. Most of Chinese consulates accept faxed copies of the two documents, but it is advisable to check with Chinese consulates to see whether they only accept the originals. In addition to the two documents, a medical examination report could also be required in certain countries. 

It is possible for foreigners who have entered into China with a tourist (L) or a business (F) visa to apply for a work visa (Z) in China. Chief Representatives, general managers and vice general managers with their names on their employer's business licenses are allowed to change their L or F visas into Z visas in China. Implementation on visa conversion may vary slightly in different cities/provinces in China. Please check with your local Immigration Department of Public Security Bureau for the relevant rules and regulations on visa conversion.

A work visa issued by overseas Chinese consulates normally is single entry and valid for 30 days after entry. A residence permit is required to apply for within 30 days after entry.

Note: The foreigner who does not apply for the residence permit within 30 days after entry will be fined 500 RMB per overstay day and the maximum fine is 5,000 RMB.