Instruction to Chinese Visa

updated 2018-11-01

2017-04-13 00:45

I Important Notice

As of August 1, 2018, all applicants for Chinese visas are required to make an appointment and to complete the application form online, at http://bio.visaforchina.org/HEL2_EN

Applicants without the confirmation of online visa application shall not be accepted.

1. Applicants should apply for a visa about one month before their intended date of entry into , and they should not apply more than three months prior to their journey. They should take upon themselves any consequences resulting from their failure to submit visa application at an appropriate time, which may lead to either their already-issued visa becoming expired or it being too late to get a visa before their planned departure date.

2. Whether applicants come to the embassy in person or consign others for the visa application, the applicants should sign on the application form (except the minors below 16 years old). Any information correction by the consignee is supposed to be confirmed by the applicant.

3. Once submitted, the visa application can not be corrected or cancelled. No visa application documents will be returned, the applicants should copy it themselves in advance if necessary.

4. Consular Officers decide on whether a visa is to be issued or not, what type of visa is to be issued, the visa's period of validity, duration of stay and number of entry in the light of's laws and regulations. The applicants should not take the collection date specified in their pickup forms for granted. The informed date of visa collection is only applied to the general. Consular Officers may request an applicant to provide additional supporting documents or have an interview with the applicant when needed. The applicant should submit them as soon as possible. Therefore, the visa collection date will be postponed as well. The Embassy is not responsible for any related economic losses and legal consequences if your visa application is rejected.

II Method of application for Chinese Visa and Time for processing

As of June 19, 2018, all applicants holding ordinary passports for Chinese visas are kindly requested to apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.

Address: Salomonkatu, 17B, 3krs, Helsinki

Phone: 010 337 5600

Email: helsinkicenter@visaforchina.org

Website: http://www.visaforchina.org

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday (Except for notified holidays)

Application: 9:00 AM - 15:00 PM

(Urgent applications must be made before 11:30 AM)

Payment/Collection: 9:00 AM - 16:00 PM

Service fee of Chinese Visa Application Service Center: The center will charge visa fees, express processing fees on behalf of the Chinese Embassy. Additionally, the center service fees are 55 Euros for regular processing (4 working days), 75 Euros for express processing (3 working days), 85 Euros for urgent processing (2 working days), and 85 Euros for one way postal service (excluding tax).

Important Note: Holders of diplomatic or service passports, or those applying for diplomatic, courtesy, service visas or for Hong Kong/Macao visas/entry-permits are requested to apply directly at the Consular office of the Chinese Embassy as usual. The Consular office of the Embassy will continue to handle applications for notarization, legalization, Chinese passports, and travel documents.

1. Method: The applicants may submit their visa applications to the Embassy in person or entrust someone else or a travel agency to submit on their behalf. No appointment is necessary. They may be required to appear at the Embassy for an interview if the Embassy deems it necessary. MAILING APPLICATION IS NOT ACCEPTED.

2. Visa processing time: Regular pick-up time is the fourth working day, from 9:00 to 10:00 O'clock.

III Visa fee

1. Payment upon collection; Only debit card or credit (Visa and Master card) are acceptable. No cash.

2. Schedule of visa fees

	(Unit: Euro)	Schengen Countries Citizen	U.S Citizen	Other Coutries Citizen (may vary)
Visa Fee	Single Entry	60	172	33
	Double Entry	60	172	50
	Multi-entry for 6 months	60	172	66
	Multi-entry for 12 months	60	172	100
	Group Visa (L)	48/person	100/person	30/person
	Rush Service (the Next-day or Third-day Service)	21
	Express Service (the Same Day Service)	31

IV. Visa categories

Visa Categories	Description of Visa
C	Issued to foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships.
D	Issued to those who intend to reside inpermanently.
F	Issued to those who intend to go tofor exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.
G	Issued to those who intend to transit through.
J1	Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in. The intended duration of stay inexceeds 180 days.
J2	Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go tofor short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay inis no more than 180 days.
L	Issued to those who intend to go toas a tourist.
M	Issued to those who intend to go tofor commercial and trade activities.
Q1	Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go tofor family reunion, or to those who intend to go tofor the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay inexceeds 180 days. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
Q2	Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing inor foreigners with permanent residence in. The intended duration of stay inis no more than 180 days.
R	Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in.
S1	Issued to those who intend to go toto visit the foreigners working or studying into whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go tofor other private affairs. The intended duration of stay inexceeds 180 days.
S2	Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in, or to those who intend to go tofor other private matters. The intended duration of stay inis no more than 180 days. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
X1	Issued to those who intend to study infor a period of more than 180 days.
X2	Issued to those who intend to study infor a period of no more than 180 days.
Z	Issued to those who intend to work in.

V. General Requirements

1. The Visa Application Form should be filled out clearly with recently-taken color passport photo GLUED to or STAPLED on it (Photo Requirements for the Chinese Visa Application: http://www.chinaembassy-fi.org/eng/lsfw/chinesevisa/t1420681.htm ). Items which are not applicable should be filled in with N/A or None. All other documents provided by the applicant together with the Application Form should be genuine, complete and accurate. Otherwise, the applicant shall take full consequences.

2. The Visa Application Form shall be signed by the applicant. In case the applicant is a person without or with limited capacity for civil conduct, the application form should be signed by his / her guardian on his / her behalf, and the copy of his / her guardian's ID shall be submitted along with the application.

3. The remaining validity of the passport should be at least 6 months and with at least two blank visa pages. For multiple-visa application, the remaining validity of the passport must cover the validity of visa and the duration of stay. For example, if applying for a visa with 6 months validity, multiple entries, and 30 days of each stay, the remaining validity of the passport should be at least 7 months.

4. When former Chinese national (including those who were born in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) holding either a foreign passport or a newly-issued passport, applies Chinese visa for the first time after gaining foreign citizenship, the original Chinese passport and a copy of its information page, or the old foreign passport and its information page and a copy of the previous Chinese visas are required.

5.Child with Chinese descent born either in China or in Finland applies for a Chinese visa for the first time, the Birth Certificate with his / her parents' names on, the original certificate for quitting Chinese nationality and the copies of the above mentioned documents, and the statement written by his / her parents or guardian are required.

6. Child with Chinese descent born in a third country should make his / her first Chinese visa application in his / her resident country if the Birth Certificate and the certificate for quitting Chinese nationality as mentioned in Article 5 cannot be submitted.

7. The applicant must be inwhile making the application for a Chinese Visa. Otherwise, the applicant should take full consequences.

8. Different types of visas will be issued according to applicants' different identities, purposes and activities. The applicant should not engage in activities incompatible with the type of visa he / she is holding in. In case a change of purpose or activity is made, an application should be made for a corresponding type of visa. Otherwise, the applicant should take full consequences.

9. Fraud documents or information are forbidden. If cheating, the applicant will be rejected a Chinese visa and the travel / visa agency will be deprived of the qualification of applying for Chinese visa.

10. The citizens other than European Union orshould provide the original and copy of the resident permit or Kela Card. The applicants who have entered infree of visa shall provide Finnish entry record, both the original and the copy.

11. Holders of following Chinese visas: D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, Z (hereinafter referred to as residence visa), shall apply for corresponding foreigner residence permit from the local Public Security Bureau at the level of county or above within 30 days upon entry into.

12. Holders of following Chinese visa: C, F, G, J2, L, M, Q2, S2, X2 (hereinafter referred to as stay visa), shall stay inwith respective visa and stay within the duration period as indicated on visa.

VI. Documents Required for Visa Application

For different purposes to enter, the following documents are required separately:

1. Visa Application for Carrying out Crew Activities (C visa)

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in;

You are kindly reminded that:

Non-regular scheduled flights, chartered flights or private planes must get the Aviation Permit before departure.

2. Visa Application for Permanent Residence in(D visa)

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China;

You are kindly reminded that:

Holders of D Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

3. Visa Application for Purpose of Non-business Exchanges and Visits (F visa)

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in. The invitation should contain:

a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);

b) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures);

c) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

(6) For a multiple entry visa application, copies of previous Chinese visas (on one A4-sized paper) are required;

4. Visa Application for Transit (G visa)

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region;

5. Visa Application for Journalist Activities (J1 visa)

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works;

Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance or and complete relevant formalities.

You are kindly reminded that:

Holders of J1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

6. Visa Application for Journalist Activities (J2 visa)

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works;

Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance or and complete relevant formalities.

7. Visa Application for Tourist Purpose (L visa)

For individual applicants, the following documents are required:

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter should contain:

a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);

b) Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.);

c) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual);

d) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit

(6) A Finnair employee shall present the original Finnair ID and a photocopy of the ID when he/she applies for L visa without air ticket(s) or proof of a hotel reservation; Both His/her statement and a photocopy of his/her Finnair ID shall be presented when his/her friend(s) or relative(s) apples for L visa with his/her Finnair beneficiary.

For group tour, the following documents are required:

(1) A visa notification form issued by travel agencies in China including China International Travel Service Head Office, China Travel Service Head Office, China Youth Travel Service Head Office and the tourism administration of related province, autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government;

(2) Three name lists of the members of the tourist group. If the last page of the list has left a blank, a straight line should be drawn across the blank from its upper corner on the left to the lower corner on the right;

(3) the original passports of the applicants, which should be arranged according to the names listed;

(4) A letter issued by the travel agency organizing the tour, the content of which should mainly include the group number, total number of group members, contact person and the itinerary of the tour

8. Visa Application for Business or Trade Purposes (M visa)

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) Copy of one of the following documents shall be presented:

a) An Invitation letter issued by a trade partner inor other invitation letter issued by relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain:

i) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);

ii) Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures);

iii) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

b) Invitation letter issued by Chinese institutes or relevant units or confirmation letter of Invitation (accompanied by the invitation letter issued by a trader partner in) issued by Chinese institutes or relevant units;

c) Business License or Certificate approving the establishment of enterprise which shows the applicant as the enterprise's investor or owner

(6) For application of a multiple entry visa: copy of all previous M or F visas (on one A-4 sized paper) should be attached.

9. Visa Application for Familyor Foster Care (Q1 visa)

For family reunion, the following documents are required:

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen who lives inwith a Chinese permanent residence permit. The invitation letter should contain:

a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);

b) Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures);

c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.);

d) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit

(6) Both Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

For foster care, the following documents are required:

(1) A completed Application Form;

(2) A recently-taken, passport-sized COLOR photo shall be GLUED to or STAPLED on the application form;

(3) The applicant's passport which shall be valid for more than 6 months;

(4) A photocopy of the information page of the applicant's passport;

(5) Foster entrustment notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in;

(6) Original and photocopy of the consignor's passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) notarized and authenticated certification showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children;

(7) A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living inwho has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee;

(8) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, provided that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.

You are kindly reminded that:

Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

10. Visa Application for Visiting Family Member for a short term (Q2 visa)