L Visas - Tourist Visas
These visas are tourist visas for sightseeing or visiting family or friends
and are often used by intracompany transferees to enter China and remain
for a short period of time to arrange housing, schooling and other details
associated with their relocation. L Visas can be either single or multiple
entry and their validity will depend on the type (single of multiple reentry)
of L Visa obtained.
- Multiple Reentry L Visas are valid for six (6) months to one (1) year
- Single or Double Entry L Visas are valid from 90-180 days and the
duration of stay of an L visa is thirty (30) days
- L visa applications usually take four (4) days to process. Additionally,
the Chinese embassy offers an expedited processing option for an additional
fee that takes one (1) day to process.
F Visas - Business Visitor Visas
These are business visitor visas issued to individuals wishing to visit
China for the purposes of an investigation, lecture, conduct business activities,
scientific-technological and cultural exchanges, short-term advanced studies
or internships.
- Multiple Reentry F Visas are valid from six (6) months to one (1)
year and are issued to individuals who have met certain specified requirements.
However, if additional requirements are met by the applicant they can
be granted a multiple reentry F Visa for up to twenty-four (24) months.
- Single or Double Entry F Visas are usually valid from 90-180 days
from the date of issue and the duration of stay is usually for a thirty
(30) day period. Additionally, the visa officer may extend the individual’s
duration of stay if the applicant requests a stay exceeding thirty (30)
days.
For more information on different types of visas to China and specific
individual entry requirements please contact the head of GT’s Global Outbound
Immigration Group, Dawn Lurie at luried@gtlaw.com.
Z Visas - Work Permits
Z Visas are issued to individuals who travel to China for the purposes
of employment accompanied by their family. Obtaining a Z Visa requires both
the employer and employee to take certain steps to ensure that the employee’s
transfer is approved. Including:
- The employer applying for an employment license at the proper ministry
in China. This step takes between five (5) to ten (10) days.
- Upon approval of the employment license the employer then applies
for a Z invitation letter. The approval of this invitation letter is a
prerequisite to the employee and his family members being able to apply
for a Z visa in China.
- Once the invitation letter is granted it is sent to the employee in
his country of residence. The employee and the accompanying dependents
may then apply for a Z Visa and temporary residence permit at a Chinese
Embassy or Consulate abroad. There are limited circumstances in which
an employee already in China may adjust his status to a Z Visa without
having to leave the country. Likewise, Z Visas will only be issued at
foreign embassies or consulates and not at a Chinese port of entry.
- The final step in the process is the employee and his family members
with multiple entry Z visas is for them to apply for their residence permits
upon arrival in China.
For more information on different types of visas to China and specific
individual entry requirements please contact the head of GT’s Global Outbound
Immigration Group, Dawn Lurie at luried@gtlaw.com.
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