Requirements for China Visa Application based on Purpose of Visit

Guide on Requirements for China Visa Application Process

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHINA VISA APPLICATION – Here are the documents needed in applying for a travel visa to China based on the purpose of visit.

One of the countries that has a very unique culture is China. That is why a lot of people dream of seeing the place in person. Are you one of those who like to take a photo at the world’s famous Great Wall of China?

Aside from the Great Wall of China, the Chinese country has a lot to offer including the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace in Beijing, Cruising the Li River in Guilin, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, and the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, Jiangsu among others.

Although China is not one of the visa free countries for Filipinos this 2023, it is possible to get to the Chinese country as it opens its borders for different kinds of visit provided that you comply with the travel visa requirement.

In applying for a travel visa, there are documentary requirements for China visa application that you must prepare and submit to get the document. The specific documents needed are based on the purpose of the visit:

Visa Category C — This travel visa is issued to the following:

Foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities
accompanying family members of the crew onboard the above-mentioned ships.

Prepare the following documentary requirements for China visa application:

Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category D — This travel visa is issued to those who intend for permanent residence in China. Prepare the following documents for visa application:

Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China

Visa Category F — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.

Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
Invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China

Visa Category G — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to transit through China.

onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category J1 — This travel visa is issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. Prepare the following requirements for China visa application:

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category J2 — This travel visa is issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. Prepare the following documents:

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China
an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category M — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. Prepare the following documents:

Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China; or
trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category Q1 — This travel visa is issued to family members of a Chinese citizen or foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and travel for family reunion, foster care. Here are the requirements for China visa application:

invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China
Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit
Original and a photocopy of certification
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category Q2 — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. Prepare these documents:

an invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China
a photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category R — This travel visa is issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China. Here are the requirements for China visa application:

submit relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category S1 — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to visit foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law. Here are the documents needed:

an invitation letter from the inviting individual
a photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit
original and a photocopy of certification showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category S2 — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. Prepare the following:

an invitation letter issued by the inviting individual
a photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit
a photocopy of certification showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category X1 — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. Here are the requirements:

original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China
original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China”
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category X2 — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. Here are the requirements for China visa application:

original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Visa Category Z — This travel visa is issued to those who intend to work in China. Prepare the following:

“Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit” or the original “Foreigner’s Work Permit”
Online application at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn.
- must be printed with signature on the confirmation page and item 9 of the form
Appointment at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn for ordinary passport holders
Visa Application Form and the confirmation page
Passport and a photocopy of the data page
One ID photo
- in color
- taken within the last 6 months
- in full-face view directly facing the camera
- in front of a plain white or off-white background
- sized 48mm x 33mm
Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas