One month into the launch of the new China online visa application system (http://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/), the visa application processing time has noticeably reduced, and the efficiency has significantly improved. However, we have noticed some issues at the stage of preliminary assessment that added unnecessary time for the applicants. For example, some applicants cannot select the proper visa type, some randomly select the number of entries and validity period for the visas, and others tend to upload materials that do not meet the requirements or are incomplete and inaccurate. Such applications are repeatedly sent back to the applicants for modifications and additional supporting documents, leading to a longer processing time and affecting the efficiency of preliminary assessment. To address these common issues encountered in the online visa application, a list of Q&As are offered to assist applicants in passing preliminary assessment and obtaining visas more efficiently and conveniently.
1. Not sure what visa type is right?
(1) Q1 and Q2 Visas
Q1 is a long-term family reunion visa, suitable for those planning to stay in China for over 180 days for family reunions or foster care purposes. It allows only one entry, and within 30 days from the entry date, the applicant should apply for a foreigner's residence permit at the local Public Security Bureau's Exit and Entry Administration Office.
Q2 is a short-term family visit visa, suitable for stays of up to 180 days in China for short-term family visit purposes. Applicants can choose single entry, double entries, or multiple entries. They do not need to apply for a foreigner's residence permit at the local Public Security Bureau's Exit and Entry Administration Office during the stay.
(2) L and Q2 Visas
The L visa is for tourists visiting China. Applicants should provide round-trip flight bookings. If there is an inviting person in China, an invitation letter and the inviting person's Chinese ID card (front and back) should be submitted. The inviting person can be a friend, classmate, colleague, fiancé/fiancée, or family member residing in China.
If there is no inviting person, hotel reservations for the duration of the stay in China should be provided. Generally speaking, if there is an inviting person who is a family member of the applicant, they should apply for a Q2 visa, and there is no need to submit flight tickets or accommodation reservations.
(3) S2 and Q2 Visas
The S2 visa is for short-term visits or personal affairs in China, with a stay duration not exceeding 180 days. If the visit is to family members who are Chinese citizens or foreigners with Chinese permanent residence (i.e. holding "Foreigner's Permanent Residence Identity Card"), a Q2 visa is the correct choice.
(4) M and Z Visas
The M visa is for individuals engaging in business and trade activities in China. It requires a letter of invitation produced by the Chinese trade partner(s).
The Z visa is generally for individuals employed by Chinese employers for short-term or long-term work in China. When applying, relevant employment certificates and permits should be provided, including "Foreigner's Employment Permit," "Foreigner's Short-Term Employment Permit in China," "Notice on Employment for Foreigners," "Foreign Expert Employment Permit," etc.
(5) G and L Visas
The G visa is for transit through China. Applicants should provide confirmed dates and seat reservations for onwards flights (trains, ships) to their destination country or region. If the stay in China is relatively long and there are travel plans with hotel reservations and other itineraries in China, an L visa is recommended.
2. Not sure about visa validity and entries?
The visa validity and the number of entries are related as follows: one entry within 3 months, 2 entries within 6 months, multiple entries within 6 months, and multiple entries for one year or more. For New Zealand citizens, the fees are 140 NZD, 210 NZD, 280 NZD, and 420 NZD, respectively; fees are the same for multiple entries of one year or more. Some applicants choose "one entry within 12 months," "2 entries within 3 months," or "multiple entries within 9 months," which is incorrect and are to be altered by applicants accordingly .
Please note the differences in visa validity, number of entries, and duration of stay. In simple terms, validity refers to the period during which the visa can be used to enter China. Once it expires, it becomes invalid; The number of entries refers to the number of times the visa holder can enter China within the validity period. Once all entries are used, the visa becomes invalid. The duration of stay refers to the period of time for which the visa holder is allowed to stay in China upon each entry, starting from the next day of entry. If the visit lasts longer than the required time frame and no extension request is made, it will be regarded as an illegal residency, and the applicants will be subject to the relevant legal repercussions.
3. Want to apply for multi-year and multi-entry visas?
Please carefully read the following requirements to confirm if you meet the conditions:
(1) The visa validity and duration of stay should not exceed the passport's validity. For example, if you want to apply for a 3-year multi-entry visa with each stay lasting 180 days, and the expected visa issuance date is August 1, 2023, then your passport's validity should be at least after January 31, 2027.
(2) You have obtained a Chinese visa before. Generally speaking, first-time applicants cannot be issued multi-year and multi-entry visas. If you have had Chinese visas before, please fill out the information about the previous Chinese visa and provide a copy of the previous Chinese visa page.
(3) The inviting person in China is a family member, and you can provide proof of the relationship. Family members include spouses, parents, children, children's spouses, siblings, grandparents, great-grandparents, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and parents of spouses.
4. How to reduce processing time with express service?
The average processing time for a visa is generally four working days. In special and urgent cases, you can apply for express service, which, when approved by the consular officer, will reduce the processing time to 2-3 working days. The processing time here refers to the time period between the day when applicants submit the passport at the visa office and the day of passport collection, excluding the time required for preliminary assessment.
Generally speaking, when you choose express service, your application will be granted priority preliminary assessment, but the number of days days applicants will have to wait before obtaining the visas depends on whether the uploaded documents are compliant, accurate, and complete. Once express service is confirmed, it cannot be cancelled.
5. What are the requirements of the letter of invitation?
(1) The invitation letter can be handwritten, typed, or filled in on an electronic device, but it should be clear and legible. The inviting person must sign it personally; proxy signatures are strictly prohibited.
(2) Different types of visas require different letter formats. For example:
a. Q Visa (Q1, Q2) or S Visa (S1, S2)
a) Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.).
b) Information on the planned visit (the purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence/stay, intended duration of residence/stay, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures).
c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, a signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.).
b. M Visa or F Visa
a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.).
b) Information on the planned visit (the purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures).
c) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, a signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).
c. L Visa
a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.).
b) Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.).
c) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, a signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).
6. What are the requirements for the inviting person's ID documents?
(1) If the inviting person is a Chinese citizen, please submit the front and back of his/her Chinese ID card.
(2) If the inviting person is a foreign citizen with permanent residency in China, please submit the his/her foreign passport and the front and back of his/her permanent residency permit in China.
(3) If the inviting person is a foreign citizen staying or residing in China, please submit his/her foreign passport and a valid Chinese visa or residence permit.
7. What are the requirements when a New Zealand child of Chinese descent applies for a visa for the first time?
The child is eligible for a visa if the following condition is met at the time of birth: the child was born in New Zealand with one or both parents who were Chinese citizens and had obtained permanent residency in New Zealand or another country (having obtained a "Permanent Resident Visa" in New Zealand); or the parents who were foreigners that had foreign citizenship.
When applying for the visa, it is required that applicants upload the pages of the Chinese passport and the permanent residency visa of either of the Chinese parents at the time of the child's birth or the pages of the passports of both foreign parents.
Please note: It is necessary to upload the parents' passport information and visa pages at the time of the child's birth; permanent residency visas and foreign passports obtained by the parents after the child's birth do not meet the requirements. For example, if the child was born on 1 January, 2018, and the Chinese father obtained New Zealand permanent residency on 1 January, 2017, applicants should upload the visa page of the child's father and the passport information page at that time.
8. What should you do if you want to modify or cancel the visa application after submitting it online or after the preliminary assessment?
(1) After submitting the visa application online, you must promptly contact us and request the change or cancelling. Upon approval, you can make the necessary modifications or request to have your application cancelled.
(2) If preliminary assessment has already been passed, it cannot be cancelled. You must reapply or submit your passport to us to withdraw the application if needed.
9. What should you do if the phone lines are busy and no one answers your call?
Every day, we receive experience a large volume of inquiries from applicants, which is why many find difficulty in getting through to us. Alternatively, we recommend sending an email to our visa enquiry email address (chinaconsulate.akl@gmail.com), with a description of your concern or need, or if you wish to make changes, cancel the application, or run into any other problems during the application process. Please use the format "Visa - Applicant's Name - Application Number" as the subject of the email.
10. What should you do if there is no feedback from us after submitting the applications?
Since the launch of the new online visa application system, applicants can access real-time updates on the status of their visa applications on the website where they make the application. Applicants are advised to log into the website to check the status in a timely manner. After passing preliminary assessment, an appointment is required to submit your passport.
