1. The General Process of Visa Application
(1) Visit the website of China Online Visa Application (https://cova.mfa.gov.cn) to fill in the application form
(2) Visit the Consular Section
(3) Queue for visa precheck（STEP 1）
(4) Queue for fingerprint collection（STEP 2）
(5) Queue for visa interview（STEP 3）
(6) Prepare for other documents as required by the Consular Official
(7) Collect the a pink Pick-up Note with the time for collection（Please kindly note the Pickup Note is just a proof that you have submitted application materials, not proof of approval.）
(8) Go to the Bank of China to pay for the visa and get relevant receipt (Please kindly note the working hours of the Bank of China is 8:30-14:30 on working days, except for holidays or otherwise notified)
(9) Go to the Consular Section to collect your documents with the receipt
(10) Check your document before leaving
2. Important Notice
(1) The Consular Section will make decisions on whether or not to grant a visa and allowed validity, duration of stay and number of entries, based on standards established in Chinese law and individual application. A visa application may be denied as the document submitted or information reviewed indicates the applicant falls within the scope of one of the inadmissibility or ineligibility grounds of the law.
(2) The applicant should guarantee that all information provided is complete, true and correct. Any incomplete, misleading or false information may result in denial of the visa or refusal of entry into China.
*If applicants have mistakes in filling with the name, gender, date of birth, passport number, nationality, etc. in the application form, they are required do the visa application online again.
3. Visa Types and Documents Required
Chinese visas fall into four types: diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. Ordinary visas are further divided into 16 categories.
(1) General Documents (for every visa type):
Passport |
Photocopy of the bio-page of the passport |
Online Visa Application Form |
AVAS Confirmation Form |
Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to non-Zambian citizens) |
ID photo (recommended) |
*Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)
If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.
If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page. (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change.)
(2) Specific Documents (for each visa type):
Visa Types | Visa Description | Documents required |
L | Issued to those who go to China for tourism | A. Round-trip air tickets and hotel orders (name and personal information of the applicant must be included); B. An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity (e.g. Travel agency) or individual inside China (Photocopies of Chinese ID, front and back, of the inviting individual must be included) *The invitation letter should contain: l Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) l Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.) l Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual) *An applicant may be required to submit an original invitation, or provide other supporting documents according to the consular officer. |
M
| Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities | Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity. *The invitation letter should contain: l Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) l 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) l Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual) *An applicant may be required to submit an original invitation, or provide other supporting documents according to the consular officer. |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities | An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. *The invitation should contain: l Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) l 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) l Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual) *An applicant may be required to submit an original invitation, or provide other supporting documents according to the consular officer. |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China
*Holders of Z Visa (less than 30 days) are allowed to work only within the period of time indicated in the approval. *Holders of Z Visa (over 30 days) are required to apply for residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry.
| One of the following documents A. Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China issued by Chinese government authorities for Human Resources and Social Security; if your intended work period is 90 days or less, you need to provide an Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in P.R. China. You must apply for your visa before the commencing work date indicated on the Approval and you will be allowed to work only within the period of time indicated in the Approval. B. Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts. C. Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration. D. An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs; if your intended performance period is 90 days or less, you need to provide an Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in P.R. China. You must apply for your visa before the commencing performance date indicated on the Approval and you will be allowed to perform only within the period of time indicated in the Approval. E. Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation. *A holder of category Z visa must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China unless the Duration of Each Stay on the visa is marked as 30 days. |
S1 | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
*Holders of S1Visa are required to apply for residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry. | A. An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains: l Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) l Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.) l Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.) B. A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and residence permit C. 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 immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual. ("Immediate family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law. ) *In case of other personal affairs, relevant supporting materials shall be provided upon request |
S2 | 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. The intended duration of stay in China is 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.
| 1. For visiting family members for a short period, the following documents are required: A. An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains: Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) ; Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.) ; Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.) B. A photocopy of the inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or lives in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit C. Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual. 2. For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer. |
Q1
| Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. *"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
*Holders of Q1 Visa are required to apply for residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry.
| 1. For family reunion, the following documents are required: A. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain: l Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) l 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) l Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.) B. Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit. C. 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. 2. For foster care, the following documents are required: B. 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. C. A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee. D. 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. |
Q2 |
Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. | A. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain: ●Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) ● Information on the visit (purpose of visit arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures) ●Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.) B. Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual |
R | Issued to High-level talents | Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents |
C | Issued to Crew member | Guarantee letter from transport company |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. *Holders of X1 Visa are required to apply for residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry. | A. Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China. B. Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202). |
X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. | Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China. |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. *Holders of D Visa are required to apply for residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry. | The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Status |
G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region. |
J1/J2 visa should refer to the requirements of the competent authority | ||
4. Validity, Number of Entries and Duration of Stay
Visa Validity ("Enter Before") means that the visa is valid, or can be used for entry into China from the date of issue to the "Enter Before" date indicated on the visa (Beijing Time). If a visa has unused entries, the bearer can enter China before 24:00 (Beijing Time) on the expiration date.
"Entries" refers to the number of times the bearer is permitted to enter China during the validity of a visa. A visa becomes invalid if there are no entries left, or there are entries left but the visa validity expires. If a visa becomes invalid, its bearer must apply for a new visa before entering China. Traveling with an invalid visa to China will result in refusal of entry.
"Duration of Each Stay" refers to the maximum number of days the visa bearer is permitted to stay in China each time, which is calculated from the date of entry into China.
Residence Permit: A holder of category D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 or Z visa must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China unless the Duration of Each Stay on the visa is marked as 30 days. Members of foreign diplomatic or consular missions in China must apply for a residence permit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or local foreign affairs departments within 30 days of entry into China.
5. Fees (in terms of kwacha)
Number of Entries | Single | Double | 6 months multiple | Over 6 months Multiple |
Zambia Passport | 1125 |
1690
| 2250 | 3375 |
U.S.A Passport
| 3150 | 3150 | 3150 | 3150 |
Canadian Passport | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 |
Isreali Passport | 635 | 635 | 635 | 635 |
Argentina Passport | 3375 | 3375 | 3375 | 3375 |
Serbia Passport | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Uruguay Passport | 945 | 945 | 945 | 945 |
Romania Passport | 1690 | 2250 | 3375 | 3375 |
Brazil Passport | 3150 | 3150 | 3150 | 3150 |
Other Passports | 875 | 1310 | 1750 | 2625 |
Note: All the fees are charged in the Bank of China. Applicants will not be charged any fees at the counter.
To further promote personnel exchanges between China and the world, from 11 December 2023 to 31 December 2024, the Chinese Embassy in Zambia will apply a 25% reduction in visa fees. Details are as follows.
6. Express Service
1) Visas can generally be picked up on the 4th business day from the date of application. For example if the application is submitted on Monday, the visa can usually be picked up on Thursday.
2) 3rd business day express service is available, but it should be approved and an additional fee of 600 kwacha per visa should be paid.
3) Exact pickup date will be marked on your Pickup Note.
4) On a case-by-case basis, processing time of some applications may be longer than 4 business days. In this case, no pickup date is marked on the Pickup Note, and the applicant will be informed on the spot or later after the application is submitted.
7. Opening hours:
The Consular Section opens from 9: 00 AM to 11:30 AM, Monday to Friday, except for holidays or otherwise notified by the Consular Section. The applicants should be queuing for visa application in the Consular Section no later than 11:00 AM.