The types of Chinese visas include a diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa, and common visa. The common visa includes subcategories for residency, professional trips, study, visits, travel, migration, and journalism (including reporters and crew members); and these are designated by letter and number----D, Z, X, F, L, G, C, J-1, J-2. The Chinese government will issue a visa according to your purpose of visit:

(1) Visa D for residency in China

(2) Visa Z for those working in China and their relatives

(3) Visa X for purposes of study, training, or practice for over 6 months

(4) Visa F for the purposes of visit, study, lecture, business, science and culture exchange with invitation, short-term advanced studies and practice for less than 6 months

(5) Visa L for purposes of travel, visiting family, and immigration for private affairs; a group visa will be signed to a group with over 9 members

(6) Visa G for immigration via China

(7) Visa C for crewmembers and their families of flights, international trains, and ships

(8) Visa J-1 for foreign correspondents staying permanently in China, and J-2 for the foreign correspondents temporarily in China.

Editor: Catherine