China visa requirements for Kenyans

Kenyans traveling to China for tourism purposes are the eligible applicants of this visa.

Foreigners who intend visiting relatives and friends in the country may do so with this visa.The Chinese tourist visa (L visa) is issued to those who intend to visit China for tourism or leisure.

The Chinese tourist visa is categorized into three (3), based on the number of entries allowed:

Note that despite the visa lasting for up to 1 year, this doesn’t mean that you can remain in China for one straight year. It is left for the embassy to decide how many days you get for each entry.

The most common tourist visa option available to Kenyans 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 duration of stay per visit is at the discretion of the chinese embassy.

Proof of financial sufficiency that covers the applicants duration of stay should be submitted.

overstaying one’s visa is a serious offence and can incur the penalty of life time ban.

A letter of invitation signed by your host in China is required during the China visa application process. Information on the letter should include the home address, telephone number, as well as a valid means of identification of the host.

Holders of this visa are not allowed to be enrolled in an institution of learning in the country.

You may attend events and take part in festivals during your time in China.

If you are employed, a letter from your employer confirming awareness and allowance of your leave for the duration of your stay should be provided.

Applicants who are not citizens of Kenya need to present a copy of their valid re-entry pass or resident permit.

If it is your first visit to China, only the single or double entry visa will be issued to you.

Those who are applying for a multiple entry visa need to provide a copy of their previous visas to China.

Minor are required to submit a copy of the birth certificate during the visa application process. If these minors are traveling without their parents or with one of their parents, a letter of consent signed by both their parents is required.

Receipt of paid visa application fee should be provided.

During your time in the country, you are not allowed to take paid or unpaid employment.

Business visa (M visa) is issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.

Foreigners in the country on this visa for business may negotiate and sign contracts with their business partners.

Business travelers are free to attend conferences, business summits, and trade fairs while they are in the country.

China M and F visa could be confusing to foreign visitors:

In 2013, the original F visa got divided into two categories: the M and F visa.

The M visa is for business and trade, while the F visa now applies to noncommercial travels.

The F visa is issued to foreigners who are invited to conduct a lecture, an investigation, scientific and cultural exchanges, study tours and other non-business activities in China

 The duration of stay for the F visa is 30 days, which means you can stay for up to 30 days from the date of entry.

The validity period of the China M visa is three months (90 days) in most cases for Kenyans.

Just like the tourist visa, the M visa can be issued for single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry.

The extension of visa stay varies with individual circumstances but it’s always granted at the discretion of the C   hinese embassy.

A letter from your employer stating the awareness and allowance of your business leave. The letter should have the date of terms of your employment, how long you have been employed and the duration of your leave.

An invitation letter from the Chinese company with a clear signature and stamp. The letter should have the purpose and duration of your visit to the country.

Certificate of business registration of the Chinese company.

Receipt of paid Chinese visa application fee is required.

If you have had previous business dealings with the Chinese company, a proof of this should be presented during the China visa application process.

For non-Kenyans, a copy of your valid resident permit or re-entry pass in Kenya is required.

Applying for a multiple-entry for this China visa application also requires a copy of previous visas to China.

Holders of the China Business Visa(s) are not allowed to be paid for the services they render while they are in the country.

The work visa is issued to foreigners who have been offered employment by a Chinese company.

Holding a work visa is the only legal way to work in china.

Securing a work permit is the first step to obtaining a Chinese work visa(z).

The Z visa is a single entry visa and its validity is at the discretion of the embassy.

Holders of the Z visa should enter China within 90 days after the visa is issued and must register at a local public security bureau within 30 days of arrival.

A resident permit will be issued to the holder by the  bureau as a replacement for the Z visa. The resident permit unlike the Z visa allow for multiple entry into China for a duration of 1 year.

Applicants are to submit their passport with a validity of not less than 12 months from date of departure.

Kenyans working without a work visa or using a different visa type to work risk paying a fine of 5,000-20,000 Chinese Yuan. Stiffer punishment like jail term can also be issued to defaulters.

Kenyans who can work in china have been divided into 3 classes:

Applicants should ensure they confirm that they have been employed by a company in China.

An official letter of invitation from your employer written on the company’s letterhead should be provided. The terms of your employment and the address of the company should be stated in the letter.

Proof that your employer will not pay you below the minimum wage is required.

Your employer should provide proof that there was no Chinese citizen available when you were offered this job.

Original and a copy of employment permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Employment of China.

Original and a copy of their medical examination report.

Non-Kenyans should provide a copy of valid re-entry pass or resident permit.

Only the single-entry work visa will be issued to applicants.

Receipt of paid visa application fee should be provided.

Kenyans who are applying for this visa are students who intend to visit China to study in one of the schools in the country.

This visa is of two types; The X1 and X2 visa.

X1 Visa is given to Kenyans going to study in China for more than 6 months while the X2 visa is issued to Kenyans to study for exactly 6 months.

Students who apply for this visa are authorized to work part-time and apply for internships.

Kenyans who have been issued the X1 visa must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit from the local Public Security Bureau within 30 days upon entry into China while the X2 visa holders do not need to apply for one.

Applicants are 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.

 The JW201 / JW202 form is to be submitted at consulate or embassy during your application for the Chinese student visa (X visa).

The Chinese Ministry of Education decides which one to issue.

The JW201 form is for those studying in China on a full scholarship while JW202 is for those studying in China by self support or partial scholarship.

A letter of admission from the institution you have been accepted into should be provided. The letter should clearly state the course you have been admitted to study and the duration of the program.

A copy of a medical examination report is required.

Any person suffering from a medical disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal disease, tuberculosis or other forms of infectious diseases will be refused entry into China.

Only the single-entry visa will be issued to students.

If you are under the age of 18 years, the original copy of your birth certificate should be provided. A notarized letter of consent signed by both your parents should be provided if you are traveling alone.

Non-Kenyans are required to provide a copy of their stay permit in Kenya.

Receipt of paid visa of China application fee should be provided.