China Visa brief instroduction
A China visa is permission/proof issued by Chinese visa issuing authorities permitting foreigners entry to China. According to foreigners’ status, their purposes for coming to China and the passport type, the Chinese visa issuing authorities may separately issue them the diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa or ordinary visa. For the ordinary visa, there are three main categories, separately represented by Chinese phonetic letters ( F, L, Z) as the visa code.
- F Visa (Business/Visit Visa): Issued to foreigners who are invited to China for a visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of less than six months.
- L Visa (Tourist Visa): Issued to those who enter China temporarily for touring, family visiting or other personal affairs (multiple-entry is not granted for this category).
- Z Visa (Work Visa): Issued to foreigners who are to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members.
English Teachers' Visa
The Chinese visa issuing authorities refer to the Chinese embassies, the general consulates and other organizations authorized by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China stationed abroad. If a foreigner wants to enter or transit through China, he should go to the above-mentioned Chinese visa issuing authorities to apply for the required visa.
According to regulations of Chinese government, where the employment term of foreign experts is more than 6 months, the foreign expert apply to the Chinese embassy or consulate in his country for visa for working in China (Z); where the employment term is less than 6 months, visa for visiting China (F) can be applied by the invitation letter presented by the engaging unit.
Note:
(1) Foreign experts entering China for work must apply for the corresponding working or visiting visa according to the employing term or invitation term, and NOT for the traveling visa. For according to stipulations of Chinese law, traveling visa holder cannot work in China and the traveling visa is not convenient to be changed into working visa or visiting visa.
(2) Foreign experts shall pay attention to the residence term of their own Residence Permit for Aliens. In case the term needs to be prolonged, procedures for prolonging the residence term shall be promptly handled in local public security organ. Overtime will be subject to fine according to stipulations of Chinese law.
(3) According to stipulations of Chinese law, the aliens shall, when changing their residences, settle down the domicile out-moving procedures in the local public security organ in advance and then handle the domicile in-moving procedures in public security organ of the new domicile.
(4) According to Chinese law, in the valid period of Residence Permit for Aliens, the aliens shall settle down the re-entry procedures in the local public security organ in advance before temporary exit. Otherwise, the frontier inspection organ may capture the Residence Permit for Aliens and you have to request the host institution spend a lot of time to re-handle the entry 2 procedures when you seek another entry.
Early Enrollment is strongly advised to take into account the time needed for visa documents to be sent by Admissions and visa processing time by the Embassy or Consulate. When your placement is confirmed you will be provided the applicable visa support documentation. AmeriIBG provides VISA application services.
Residence Permits
In addition to a valid passport and visa, all prospective teachers must obtain a Residency Permit within thirty days of their entry into China. It is illegal to teach in China without both the Z visa and a valid Resident Permit. This is necessary whether classified as a “foreign teacher” or a “foreign expert.” Employers should provide assistance in obtaining this document.
Foreign Teachers
Foreign teachers are all teachers without an “Expert Certificate” from the National Expert Bureau of Foreign Affairs. In order to obtain a Resident Permit Foreign Workers need to work with their employer to obtain the Foreign Teacher Resident Permit, colloquially known as the “Green Book,” from their local Public Security Bureau. The following documents are required:
- Valid passport and visa;
- Original “Health Certification” submitted by Beijing Exit & Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau;
- Two recent, two-inch, bareheaded, full-faced photos (either black and white or in color);
- The official seal of the unit (the employer, known as the “danwei”) on a filled-out “Application Form for Visa, Residence Permit,” along with one recent, two inch, bareheaded, full-faced photo.
* For those working in Beijing whose work will not exceed one year, a temporary residence permit is available, and the “Health Certificate” is waived.
Foreign Experts
Foreign experts are teachers who hold advanced degrees and have received an “Expert Certificate” from the National Expert Bureau of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Expert Resident Permit is colloquially known as the “Red Book” and should be obtained from the teacher’s local Public Security Bureau with the help of the employer. The Foreign Expert Resident Permit requires the following documents.
- Valid passport and visa;
- Originals and copies of “Expert Certificate” issued by the National Expert Bureau of Foreign Affairs Office of the Municipal Government;
- Original “Health Certification” submitted by Beijing Exit & Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau;
-Two recent, two-inch, bareheaded, full-faced photos (either black and white or in color);
- The official seal of the unit (their employer) on a filled-out “Application Form for Visa, Residence Permit,” along with one recent, two inch, bareheaded, full-faced photo.
* For those working in Beijing whose work will not exceed one year, a temporary residence permit is available, and the “Health Certificate” is waived.
AmeriIBG China Visa Service Table
| AmeriIBG Regular (Processing time: 5 business days) |
Visa Type |
Entry |
Validity
(month) |
Stay
(month) |
Consular
Fee |
AmeriIBG
Fee |
Return
Shipping* |
Total
Amount |
|
1 |
3 |
1-3 |
$50.00 |
$35.00 |
$10.00 |
$95.00 |
|
2 |
6 |
1-3 |
$75.00 |
$35.00 |
$10.00 |
$120.00 |
|
1 |
3 |
1-3 |
$50.00 |
$35.00 |
$10.00 |
$95.00 |
|
2 |
6 |
1-3 |
$75.00 |
$35.00 |
$10.00 |
$120.00 |
|
6 Months Multiple |
6 |
1-3 |
$100.00 |
$50.00 |
$10.00 |
$160.00 |
|
12 Months Multiple |
12 |
1-3 |
$150.00 |
$50.00 |
$10.00 |
$210.00 |
|
1 |
3 |
Varies |
$50.00 |
$45.00 |
$10.00 |
$105.00 |
| Return shipping cost is based on FedEx or UPS 2nd day service for continental U.S. address. |
| REMARKS |
Shipping Charge
Above fees are for return addresses within the continental U.S. If your return address is in Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, please include an additional US$10.00 per order.
Consular Visa Fee
Applicable for U.S. passport holders only. Call for details if you hold passport of other nation.
Processing Time
Processing time does not including shipping time. Shipping or return delivery time should be added to the processing time when determining the total amount of time needed to fulfill your order. Allow yourself sufficient time for processing visa. |
Validity: Means how long the visa is valid after issuance. You are permitted to enter China before it expires.
Stay: Means how long your stay (or each stay) is permitted after you enter China. |
Programs