China Immigration
F - Business Visa
An F Visa is issued to individuals who visit China for the purposes of:- giving lectures
- doing business
- carrying out scientific, technical and cultural exchanges
- pursuing short-term advanced studies
- doing short-term fieldwork all of which shall not exceed 6 months
Depending on the invitation and application forms, the applicant will be issued a 30-, 60-, 90- or 180-day visa, with single, double or multiple-entry. (If the foreign national applies in Hong Kong they can obtain up to one year, multiple entry F visa).
As a local enterprise / institution must invite the foreign visa holder for a specified purpose in order to obtain letter approval at the Commission of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation or Bureau of Commerce, the foreigner will often have a distinct itinerary for their visit.
However, other than the activity specified within the letter, the holder is free to conduct any other business / activity in China, with the exception of performing work for a domestic Chinese enterprise.
Although it is possible to enter China under a Tourist (L) visa for the purposes of business, it is not advisable, as it is a violation of laws, and an F visa allows for more flexibility / longer-term stays.
Application Process and Documents: The applicant must submit the following documents to the closest Chinese Consulate or Embassy with jurisdiction over the place of residence:
- Application form, with one additional passport photo (black and white, or color is acceptable)
- Valid passport. The passport must have at least six (6) months validity left before expiration and at least one blank page remaining
- An invitation letter from the host company or institution in China OR ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- An original and photocopy of the Chinese business license carrying the name of the applicant (for applicants who have made an investment in China)
- An application letter from the home company and an invitation letter from the Chinese subsidiary company (for applicants who are in a position of management in the home company that has a subsidiary in China)
- A copy of the visa and an invitation letter (for applicants who have visited China more than twice with an F visa within the past 12 months)
- Original and photocopy of the contract (for applicants who must visit China frequently in order to execute contracts with a Chinese company)
- Application fee
Visa Extension
An F visa may be extended visa while in China through application to the local public security with the following documents:
- Application form
- 1 Passport-Sized Photo
- Proof of Residency (Registration form of temporary residence issued by an eligible Hotel or local police station)
- Host units' official letter (if hosted by joint venture, foreign invested enterprise, state-owned, or joint stock company, must also provide original and photocopy of "Business License")
- Company chop
