China visa is a permit issued by the China visa authorities to those foreigners who want to enter , exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. According to the applicants' identity, visiting purpose and passport type, the China Visa falls into four categories, namely, diplomatic, courtesy, service and ordinary visa.

　The ordinary visa consists of nine sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters F, L, Z, X, C, J-1, J-2, G, and D.

• Visit / Business Visa (F): Issued to those foreigners who are invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of less than six months.
• Tourism Visa (L): Issued to those foreigners who enter China temporarily for touring, family visiting or other personal affairs (multiple-entry is not granted for this category).
• Working Visa (Z): Issued to those foreigners who are to take up a post or employment in China and their accompanying family members.
• Study / Student Visa (X): Issued to those foreigners who come to China for study or intern practice for a period of six months or above.
• Crewmember Visa (C): Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and their accompanying family members.
• Journalist Visa (J-1): This visa is for journalists who are posted to China for at least one year.
• Journalist Visa (J-2): Issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview mission in China.
• Transit Visa (G): Issued to those who transit through China.
• Residence Visa (D): Issued to people who are going to live in China permanently.

The China visa authorities overseas include Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, and the consular department of the office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If a foreigner intends to enter , exit from or transit through the Chinese territory, he/she should apply to the above-mentioned China visa authorities for a China visa. For further information, please consult the nearest China visa authorities.