How to get a China visa from Ghana

Business Visa

• Business visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
• Business Visa is usually issued for single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry.
• Business visa can be issued up to 10 years.
• The duration of stay (each visit) is normally 30-60 days based on particular Chinese Consulate.
• Original and photocopy of business registration certificate and tax clearance or IRS is required during the visa application.
• You are also required to provide an invitation letter issued by a registered Chinese company or organization (for example, a trade fair).
• You could stay in China with the Business Visa for up to 120 days.
• It is illegal to work in China with the Business Visa. If you want to legally work in China, you need a Work Visa.

Tourist Visa

• This the type of visa issued to those who intend to visit China for tourism or to see their family.
• Single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry are all available for tourists.
• The duration of stay (each visit) normally is 30-60 days.
• The basic requirements listed above were once usually enough. However, since July 2013, you’re also required to provide a copy of your return trip plane ticket for China and a copy of a Chinese hotel booking for the whole duration of your stay containing the full names of all the people that are applying for the Visa.
• If you intend to stay at your friend or relative’s house, you won’t need to book an hotel.
• However, your friend/relative will have to send an invitation letter to you.
• The most common tourist Visa is the Single Entry Tourist Visa (that is, you can’t leave China and then enter again with the same Visa) which has a validity of between 30 days.
• The Double Entry Tourist Visa (2 entries, 30 days each), is also common.
• Note that, despite the visa lasting for than 10 years, this doesn’t mean that you can remain in China for 10 consecutive years.
• Each time you enter China, you can stay for a period between 30 and 60 days (the length of each visit can vary, the Chinese Consulate will decide).
• Overstaying is an offense. Be very careful to leave China before your visa expires (which can be between 30 or 60 days).

Work Visa

• Holding a Work Visa is the only way to work legally in China.
• In addition to the Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by the relevant Chinese entity, in most of the cases you will have to provide a Foreigner’s Work Permit issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts.
• There are special cases in which a different document is required; however if you have a “normal job”, such as teacher, engineer, et cetera, the Foreigner’s Work Permit shall be enough.
• Work visa is issued for single entry only.
• Holders of Work Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of entry, register and apply for the residence permit in Public Security Bureau (police station).
• Work Visa is also issued to people conducting commercial performance in China.
• Foreigners that work in China has been divided into 3 classes: Class A (high level talents), Class B (professional personnel), Class C (foreigners who are nontechnical or service workers hired on a temporary/seasonal basis).
• Not all employers can get you a Work Visa. For instance, small, private English schools often can’t.
• If you are caught working with the wrong Visa, you risk paying a fine that ranges between 5,000 and 20,000 Chinese Yuan, and may even end up in prison (from five to fifteen days).

Study Visa

• The study visa is issued to those who have been admitted by a Chinese college.
• Student Visa is sub-divided into X1 and X2.
• X1 is issued to foreign students who come to China for study for more than 6 months.
• X2 is issued to those who come to China with same purpose but for a period of less than 6 months.
• X2 visa is issued for single-entry only. X1 visa can be issued for multiple entry with validity up to 5 years.
• You are required to provide the JW201 (or JW202) form issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education (only necessary for the X1 Visa) and the notice of admission from your school. Your school should obtain these documents and send them to you.
• You may also be required to provide a medical certificate, depending on the duration of your stay.
• If you want to study in China for less than 180 days, you’ll have to apply for an X2 Visa.
• However, if you want to stay longer, you’ll need an X1 Visa.
• Those who intend to go to China for research, lecture, scientific, cultural exchange and study tour can apply for the Non-Commerce Visa (F) which is normally issued for single or double entry only.

In some places it will be considerably easier to procure a Chinese visa than in others. Also, it is still possible to get tourist visas for longer than 30 days.

While there are, as with any country, precautions one should take when traveling to and around China, it is generally a safe and breathtaking country to visit.

The Chinese climate varies from region to region since the country is massive! In the northeast the summers are hot and dry and the winters are freezing cold. The north and central regions have frequent bouts of rain coupled with hot summers and cold winters.