New China Online Visa Processing System to Launch in the U.S. on October 1, 2025, If you are planning to start apply Chinese visa, first step will be fill out the visa application form online and upload supporting documents directly through the New China visa online system, after registered in New system, one of the first steps is select which type of Chinese visa you should apply for. China offers multiple visa categories depending on the purpose of your visit—tourism, business, family visit, work, study, or residence. Choosing the correct visa type is very important because submitting the wrong category can result in delays or rejection.
Below is the full list of Chinese visa types with explanations to help you decide which one fits your situation.
Main Chinese Visa Type for US Citizens
1. L Visa – China Tourist Visa
- Purpose: Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends.
- Validity: 10 years multiple-entry if your passport valid more than 1 year
- Duration of stay: 90 days per entry.
2. M Visa – China Business Visa
- Purpose: Commercial and trade activities.
- Validity: 10 years multiple-entry if your passport valid more than 1 year
- Duration of stay: 90 days per entry.
3. Q /S Visa – China Family Reunion Visa
- Purpose: Visiting family relatives who are Chinese citizens or permanent residents.
- Q1/S1: Long-term family stay (Stay more than 180 days, single entry visa, valid 30 days upon entry, then residence permit required).
- Q2/S2: Short visits (stay less than 180 days, 10 years multiple-entry if your passport valid more than 1 year).
4. F Visa – China Non business visa
- Purpose: Exchanges, visits, and study tours
- Validity: 6 months
- Duration of stay: 30-90 days per entry.
5. YES Visa – China YES program visa
- Purpose: Exchanges, visits, and study tours for young Americans
- Validity: 5 years multiple-entry if your passport valid more than 1 year
- Duration of stay: 90 days per entry.
- Visa processing fees (including express service fees) will be waived.
6. Z Visa – China Work Visa
- Purpose: Employment in China.
- Validity: Single-entry, valid for 3 months.
- Duration of stay: 30 days upon entry, then must apply for a work-based residence permit.
7. X Visa – China Student Visa
- X1: Long-term study (>180 days). Requires residence permit after entry.
- X2: Short-term study (≤180 days). Duration granted based on admission letter.
8. R Visa – China high-level talent visa
- Purpose: designed for high-level foreign professionals whose skills are in high demand in China
- Validity: 10 years multiple-entry if your passport valid more than 1 year
- Duration of stay: 90 days per entry.
- Visa processing fees (including express service fees) will be waived.
8. K Visa – China Youth Talent Visa(Start on Oct 2025)
- Purpose: Foreign youth talents in science & technology.
- Validity: 5 years multiple-entry if your passport valid more than 1 year
- Duration of stay: TBD.
9. Other China Visa Types
- G Visa: Transit visa (short stay).Issued at designated China ports, Please refer to Guide for China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy.
- C Visa: Crew members (aviation, shipping, international transport).
- J Visa: Journalists (short-term or long-term).
How to Choose the Right Visa
- Tourism → L Visa
- Business meetings or trade → M Visa
- Family visit -Q2 Visa or Q1 Visa
- Working in China → Z Visa
- Studying in China → X1 Visa or X2 Visa
- Cultural, scientific, or technological exchanges→ F Visa
- Visiting family resident China→ S2 Visa or S1 Visa
- Special talent professionals → R or K Visa
Want Someone to Handle the Application Process for You?
If you are short on time or simply do not want to deal with the online application yourself, Visit China Visa Center provides all-inclusive China visa application assistance.
Our All-Inclusive Service Can Include:
- Help completing the online application
- Free consultation
- Free photo cropping and formatting
- Document printing
- Application review
- Checklist and document guidance
- In-person passport submission
- Passport pickup
- Secure return shipping options
- No credit card processing fees
- No hidden service fees
For China visa, Our service fees are typically $155–$255, depending on processing speed.
For Canton fair, the fee will be depend on service you select.
Official government visa fees are separate and are typically $140–$165, depending on the applicant and current government fee schedule.
Refund Guarantee
If your visa is not granted, our service fee is eligible for a full refund under our service guarantee and applicable terms.
How to Start with our all inclusive China visa service
1: Place Your Order
2: Start With Our China visa Short Form
Complete the China Visa Short Form
Have questions?
Call: 202-202-2888
Email: service@visitchinavisa.com
Important Disclaimer
Visit China Visa Center is a private visa application assistance and courier service. We are not a government agency, law firm, or representative of the Chinese government.
Processing times, visa requirements, fees, and eligibility rules are subject to change and remain under the control of the Chinese embassy or consulate.
All visa decisions are made solely by the appropriate Chinese embassy or consulate.
Our service fees are separate from official government visa fees.
For the latest official requirements, applicants should always refer to the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for their jurisdiction.
