How to Apply for Travel Permit for Foreigners

To whom it may concern

Foreign nationals visiting Beijing for exchanges, visits, business tours, or other similar activities.[Photo via VCG]

What to prepare in advance

1. Valid passport or other international travel documents.

2. Complete the Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Form with black ink, attached with a recent color photo (bare-headed, full face) taken against a white background, measuring 35mm (wide) by 53mm (high).

3. Valid accommodation registration of the applicant either at a local police station in their place of residence or the hotel where they are staying.

4. First-time applicants must provide a business license from their host in Beijing or a registration certificate for the permanent representative office if the host is a foreign enterprise.

   In the case of second-time applications, if the host organization remains unchanged since the original application, there is no need to provide the business license or registration certificate for the permanent representative office of the foreign enterprise.

5. For F visa holders, a verification letter expressing consent for visa application by the inviter and host is needed. The letter should provide true, detailed information about the applicant's visit to China.

Timeline for application

1. F visa holders could apply for an extension with validity of no longer than 180 days.

2. Applicants for F visa renewal can apply for zero, one, two or multiple entry visas with a maximum validity period of one year and a maximum stay of 180 days. The cumulative duration of stay with the renewed visa shall not exceed one year from the date of the latest entry.

3. The extension of a current F visa only applies to the current entry and does not affect the number of entries or the validity period of the original visa. The total duration of the extension shall not exceed the stay period specified in the original visa.

Matters for Attention 

1. The applicants are required to go through a face-to-face interview. However, if the applicant is under the age of 16 or above 60, or has mobility difficulties due to diseases, or is a high-calibre talent and urgently-needed professional, the host organization or related service agency may submit the application on their behalf (a photocopy of the trustee's ID is required). Nonetheless, if the exit-entry administration department deems an interview necessary, the applicant must attend the interview in person.

2. For the above materials, the original documents along with their photocopies need to be submitted for verification.

3. Any application material written in foreign language (excluding English) should be translated into Chinese.

4. Applicants who have not yet canceled their household registration in China should submit their application after the cancellation.

Reminder on 

Laws and Regulations

1

 Foreigners staying in China who wish to extend their stay shall submit their application at least seven days prior to the expiration of their visa’s validity period.

2

While the applicant's passport or other travel document is under legal custody of the exit-entry department for visa or resident permit issuance, they may lawfully stay and reside legally within China’s territory by presenting the application receipt notice.

3

The exit and entry administration department of the public security authority may verify the purpose of the application via interview, telephone inquiry, on-site investigations, and other means.

4

Decisions made by the exit-entry administration department of the public security authority to reject applications for the extension or re-issuance of ordinary visas, or to not issue stay or residence permits, or to not extend the duration of residence, shall be considered final.

The guidelines are subject to interpretation by the Exit-Entry Administration Department of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

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