1. Fill out the online application form at https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/, and upload the required documents.
2. After the application is approved, bring your passport and printed barcode of your application form to the Embassy for biological information collection, like fingerprint.
The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprint collection, and can authorize others to submit documents on their behalf:
(1) Applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 70;
(2) Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for diplomatic, service or courtesy visas;
(3) Applicants who have appli ed for visas at the same Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center with the same passport, with fingerprints collected before within the past five years;
(4) Applicants with all ten fingers amputated or none of whose ten fingerprints can be collected;
(5) Applicants for single or double entry visas (within 180 days of stay) are exempted from fingerprint collection before and on December 31, 2026, according to the announcement of the Chinese Government.
3. Documents Required
(1) Passport: the original of a passport with validity of over six months and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the information page of the passport;
(2) Two printed copies of the barcode of the application form, a paper photo that is the same as the one uploaded in the online application system;
(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (only applicable to those not applying for visas in their country of citizenship);
(4) Previous Chinese passport (only applicable to foreign citizens who used to be Chinese nationals) or previous Chinese visas.
4. Other documents required for different visa types are listed as follows:
Visa Type | Purpose | Required Documents |
L | Tourist | Itinerary documents including air ticket booking orders (round trip) and proof of hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by an entity or individual in China |
M | Business and trade | An invitation letter issued by a trading partner in China |
F | Non-commercial activities such as exchanges, visits, and study tours | An invitation letter issued by the relevant entity or individual China |
Z | Work | The original copy of the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners or the Work Permit for Foreigners |
X1 | Long-term study (for more than 180 days) | (1) A photo copy of the Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202) and the original or a photo copy of the Admission Letter issued by the school in China (2) The original or a photo copy of the Confirmation Form for Elementary-Stage Foreign Students to Study in China, if the applicant is a foreign student of the primary/elementary or junior/senior high school level |
X2 | Short-term study (for no more than 180 days) | The original or a photo copy of the Admission Notice issued by the receiving institution in China |
Q1 | Family reunion (for more than 180 days) for family member of Chinese citizens, or family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent resident status , and for those who intend to enter and stay in China for the purpose of foster care *“Family members”refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren. | (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent resident status residing in China (2) A photo copy of the inviter’s Chinese ID card or foreign passport and the permanent resident ID card (3) The original and a photo copy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter |
Q2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180days) to a relative who is a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with Chinese permanent resident status residing in China | (1) An invitation letter issued by the Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent resident status residing in China (2) A photo copy of the Chinese ID card or the foreign passport and the permanent resident ID card of the inviter |
S1 | Long-term family visit (for more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a spouse, parent, son or daughter under the age of 18, or parent-in-law, or long-term stay in China for other private affairs | (1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing in China) (2) A photo copy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit (3) The original and a photo copy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter |
S2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a family member, or short-term stay in China for other private affairs *“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren. | For family visits: (1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing in China) (2) A photo copy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit (3) The original and a photo copy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter For other private affairs: relevant documents as required |
R | High-level foreign talents or foreigners whose skills are urgently needed in China. | Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talents |
C | Foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships. | Guarantee Letter from the foreign transport company or an invitation letter from a relevant entity in China |
D | Applicants who intend to reside in China permanently | Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s Permanent Resident Status |
G | Applicants who intend to transit through China | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date to the destination country or region |
J1 | Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China |
J2 | Foreign journalists who intend to enter China for short-term news coverage | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized entities in China |
Group L | Group tourists | Invitation letter for group tourists issued by the authorized touristm organization |
The consular officer reserves the right to require additional supporting documents when it is considered necessary.
ProcessingTime
Regular service: 4 working days, 26,000 Rwf (except for special circumstances)
Express service: 2-3 working days, an additional fee of 22,000 Rwf per visa will be charged (except for special circumstances)
Please kindly note that the above-mentioned processing time does not affect visa review process. It is only for the circumstances when applicants submit the passport after the application is approved.In some circumstances, some applications may need a longer processing time. Should this occur, please wait patiently for further notification from the Embassy.
About Fees
Please refer to the notice relevant.
(https://rw.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/ChineseVisa/202512/t20251226_11788264.htm)