wanna visit china for business?  Meet your supplier , buy product direct from china, or negotiate with china wholesal electronics ? please refer to the following visa policy

China’s visa policy, once one of the strictest in the world, has loosened up considerably in recent years. In general, the authorities have realized that China needs foreigners to help grow the economy, and they are welcomed. A long-term residency “green card” was first introduced in 1986, for foreigners who meet the requirements. Few foreigners aside from high-value investors, however, have been granted miltiple-year visas. Nevertheless, for most visitors, tourist and business visas are generally treated with flexibility and can be extended with little difficulty, at least once or twice.

Visas can be obtained from China’s embassies and consulates in most countries. In Hong Kong, China visas are available from virtually any travel agency and at the concierge or front desk of most hotels and guesthouses. There also exists in Hong Kong a number of travel agents that specialize in China visas, particularly in the Kowloon Peninsula around Nathan Road. Visas procured in Hong Kong typically require 1-3 days to process. They can be obtained in as little as six hours for those willing to pay an extra fee. Single-entry visas can also be obtained at the border crossings in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, Guangdong province upon arrival from Hong Kong. Some nationalities may have problems obtaining visas upon entry from Hong Kong so it’s best to inquire ahead of time.

Visa types and number of entries are indicated on the visa itself. Single-entry visas become invalid as soon as the holder leaves China’s borders, regardless of how much time the visa originally permitted the holder to stay in China. Beware: visitors with a single-entry visa cannot return to Hong Kong after arriving on the Mainland.

Multiple-entry visas enable the holder to cross China’s borders at will. Some have a 30-day limit on each stay, while others have no restrictions during the period of validity of the visa.

Visa applications require a passport valid for at least six months after entry and with at least one blank page (for the stamp upon arrival), one or more passport-sized photo and an application form. Contact your country’s local China embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date application procedures and forms.

A registered company operating in China can assist its employees with the application for an employment visa or ‘Z’ visa, usually valid for one year. Additional supporting documents are needed, including the company’s business license. Applicants for the ‘Z’ visa are also required to undergo a physical examination.

A business visa or ‘F’ visa can be obtained without a sponsoring company, usually with the help of a travel agency. Such visas are usually valid for six months and allow multiple entries and exits.

Tourist visas or ‘L’ visas are the easiest to obtain and have the least paperwork. These visas are a good option for those looking to explore work or study options after entering the country.

Visa fees vary according to a number of factors: nationality of the applicant, type of visa, application process, number of entries and urgency of the application. For example, a 30-day single-entry tourist visa obtained by a US citizen from the Chinese embassy in Chicago costs US$100, however a work visa obtained by a Japanese citizen may cost around US$50. Check with your country’s China embassy or consulate for details.

China’s attitude toward issuing visas to US passport holders took a negative turn in response to the US decision to start fingerprinting and photographing many Chinese visa applicants to the States following the September 11 terrorist attacks. The length of tourist and visitor visas issued to US passport holders is shorter than normal, and the processing time is typically longer than for other passports.

Visa extensions can only be obtained in-country from the Public Security Bureau via the local Foreign Affairs Branch. The foreign visa office in Shanghai is located at 333 Wusong Lu, Tel: (021) 6357 7925. In Beijing, it’s located at 2 Andingmen Dongdajie, Tel: (010) 6404 7799.

Extending a visa can be easy or difficult, depending on where one is attempting to do it. Fees may or may not be involved. Some offices will promptly extend a visa free of charge. Other offices may require applicants to wait five business days and pay a sum that can vary. In general, visa offices in China’s hinterland are much less consistent than large cities like Beijing or Shanghai. It’s best not to wait until the last moment for an extention.