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Chinese Visa for Tibet

Brief Introduction of Chinese Visa

A Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese visa authorities to an alien for entry into, exit from or transit through China. The Chinese visa authorities issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Official or Regular Visa to an alien according to his/her status, purpose of visit or passport type. The overseas Chinese visa authorities are Chinese embassies, consulates and other offices authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

Visa-Free

1. Visa-free entry for visitors: No visa is required for ordinary passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan to visit China for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends or transit.

2. Visa-free transit

A: Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airlines flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.

B: Visas are not required of passport holders of the following countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas for the onward countries, final destination tickets and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours: Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland.

Classification of Visa

This is a brief introduction of Chinese Regular Visa.

Many foreign travelers reckon that Tibet visa (Tibet Travel Permit) is the only document they need to prepare when planning a tour to Tibet. Actually, it’s a big misunderstanding. If a foreigner wants to visit Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), a province of China, s/he should get a Chinese visa first, and then apply to the government of TAR for Tibet entry permit.

The Types of Chinese Visa
Purpose of Visit	Visa Categories	Description of Visa
As a crew member or a motor vehicle driver	C	Issued to crewmembers to perform duties on board an international train, airline or other vessel, and their accompanying family members.
Permanent residence	D	Issued to an alien who comes to reside permanently in China.
Exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities	F	Issued to an alien who is invited to China for a visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchange, short-term advanced studies or internship for a period of no more than 6 months.
Transit	G	Issued to an alien who transit through China.
As a journalist	J1	Issued to foreign journalists who make correspondents in China.
As a journalist	J2	Issued to foreign journalists who make short trips to China on reporting tasks.
As a tourist	L	Issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing, family visiting or other private purposes.
As a student	X1	Issued to an alien who intends to study in China for a period of more than 6 months.
As a student	X2	Issued to an alien who intends to study in China for a period of no more than 6 months.
Employment	Z	Issued to an alien who comes to China for a post or employment, and his or her accompanying family members.
Commercial performances	Z
Commerce & Trade	M	Issued to an alien who is invited to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.
Family reunion, foster care or visiting relatives with permanent residence in China	Q1	Issued to an alien who is family member of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for a long-term family reunion, or to an alien who intends to go to China for the purposes of foster care for a period of more than 6 months. Family member refers to spouse, parent, son, daughter, spouse of son or daughter, brother, sister, grandparent, grandson, granddaughter and parent-in-law.
	Q2	Issued to an alien who intends to visit relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China for a period of no more than 6 months.
Visiting relatives working or studying in China or other private affairs	S1	Issued to a relative of foreigners working or studying in China for the purpose of long-term visit, or to an alien who intends to visit China for other private reasons for a period of more than 6 months. Relative refers to spouse, parent, son or daughter under the age of 18 years and parent-in-law.
	S2	Issued to an alien who wish to visit family members that are foreigners working or studying in China, or to an alien who intends to go to China for other private reasons for a period of no more than 6 months. Family member refers to spouse, parent, son, daughter, spouse of son or daughter, brother, sister, grandparent, grandson, granddaughter and parent-in-law.
As an introduced talent	R	Issued to an alien who intends to study in China for a period of no more than 6 months.

China Tibet tour