China visa requirements for Swazis

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Swazis visiting China

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Chinese Visa.

  • An original Swaziland passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • A notarized copy of the birth certificate of the minor, as well as a letter of consent from both parents, is needed.
  • A valid means of identification of the parents is also important.
  • Two passport-size photographs (48 x 33mm) taken on a white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

China Visa for Swazis

Facts about China

China, officially the People's Republic of China is a country in East Asia and the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.404 billion in 2017. Covering approximately 9,600,000 square kilometres, it is the third or fourth-largest country by total area.  China’s political system was based on hereditary Monarchies or dynasties beginning with the semi-mythical Xia dynasty in 21st Century BCE.


China as a whole was ravaged by feudal warlordism with Japan during World War II. The Chinese civil war resulted in a division of territory in 1949 when the communist party of China led by Mao Zedong established the people’s republic of China on mainland China. Also the Kuomintang led nationalist government retreated to the Island of Taiwan where it governed until 1996 when Taiwan changed to democracy.


China’s economy has been one of the world’s fastest-growing with its annual growth rates consistently above 6 per cent. According to the World bank China’s GDP grew from $150 billion in 1978 to $12.24 trillion in 2017. In 2018, its GDP increased to $13.5 trillion (90 trillion yuan). Since 2010, China has been the country with the world’s second-largest economy by nominal GDP and the largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity in 2014.


China is also the world’s largest exporter and second-largest importer of goods and also the home to some of the world’s largest tech giants such as Huawei, Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba as it is the world’s most technologically advanced nation. Since 2019, China has the highest number of rich people in the world.

Types of China Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 4 working days 90 days
Business visa 4 working days 90 days
Student visa 4 working days Duration of study
Work visa Within 1 month More than 1 year

General Requirements for China Visa

  • An original Swaziland passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • A notarized copy of the birth certificate of the minor, as well as a letter of consent from both parents, is needed.
  • A valid means of identification of the parents is also important.
  • Two passport-size photographs (48 x 33mm) taken on a white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
China Tourist visa China Business visa China Student visa China Work visa

China Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Chinese tourist visa (L visa) is issued to those who intend to visit China for tourism, leisure or other recreational activities.
  • The Chinese tourist visa is categorized into 3, based on the number of entries allowed:
    • Single Entry — allows one entry  and costs $30 (stay of 3-6 months) 
    • Double Entry — allows two entries and costs $45 ( stay of 3-6 months)
    • Multiple Entry — allows multiple entries and costs $60  (stay of 6 months- 1 year)
  • The validity of the multiple-entry tourist visa is usually between 6 months to a year, depending on what the embassy decides. Sometimes, the double-entry visa can also be issued for up to 6 months at a higher cost. 
  • Applicants of this visa are to provide a copy of their return ticket and a copy of a Chinese hotel booking for the whole duration of their stay.
  • If you intend to stay at your friend or relative’s house, you won’t need to book a hotel. However, your friend/relative will have to send an invitation letter to you.
  • The invitation letter must contain the purpose and duration of the trip.
  • Overstaying your visa is an offense so you should be ready to leave China before your visa expires or face a penalty or even a ban.
  • The TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region) requires special permits for tourist travel, most often obtained through a Chinese travel agent. If you enter a restricted area without the requisite permit, you could be fined, taken into custody, and deported for illegal entry.
  • Failure to register with the police within 24 hours of arrival in the country could result in fines and deportation. You can register with the hotel staff or the local police station. 
  • Local regulations require foreigners to carry valid passports and Chinese visas or residence permits at all times.
  • Police, school administrators, transportation officials, and hotel staff may check your visa to make sure you have not overstayed. If you overstay your visa’s duration, you may be denied service by hotels, airports and train stations, as well as face fines and detention.
  • Police regularly conduct unannounced drug tests on people suspected of drug use - including foreign citizens. Police may require you to provide a urine, blood, or hair follicle sample on short notice, and may force you to participate in the collection.

China Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Business visa (M visa) is issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
  • China M and F visa could be confusing to foreign visitors:
    • M  visa - business and trade
    • F visa - non-commercial visits
  • In 2013, the original F visa got divided into two categories: the M and F visa.
  • The M visa is for travelers who intend to carry out business and trade, while the F visa 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.
  • The duration of stay for the F visa is 30 days.
  • In case that you need to be in China for a longer period of time, make it clear during your application, stating the exact reason you will be needing more time. If your reason is valid enough, your request will be granted and you will get more time.
  • The validity period of the China M visa is three months (90 days) in most cases.
  • The M visa can be issued for single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entries.
  • The allowed duration of stay for double and multiple-entry visas is usually 30 days at a time. This can be longer depending on the visa applicants' personal circumstances.
  • Original and photocopy of the business registration certificate and tax clearance are 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).
  • The invitation letter should include the following information:
    • All personal information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc).
    • Everything about the planned trip (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity, financial source for expenditures).
    • All details of the inviting entity (name, contact number, address, official stamp, the signature of the legal representative of the entity, etc).
  • The China business visa can be extended to up to 120 days, but this process can take time so you are advised to start your extension request in time.
  • It is illegal to work in China with a business visa. If you want to legally work in China, you should apply for a work visa.
  • The single entry business visa costs $30, double-entry $45 and multiple-entry $60.

China Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The study visa is issued to those who have been admitted by a Chinese learning institution.
  • The China student visa is of two categories:
    • X1 - more than 6 months
    • X2 - less than 6 months
  • The X1 student visa is issued to foreign students who come to study in China for a period of more than 6 months while the X2 is for study periods lesser than 6 months.
  • X2 visa is issued for single-entry only while X1 visa can be issued for multiple entries with validity for up to 5 years.
  • You are required to fill and provide the JW201 (or JW202) form issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education if applying for the X1 Visa.
  • A letter of admission from the Chinese school is necessary.
  • JW201 is for those studying in China on a full scholarship or partial scholarship while JW202 is for those studying in China by self-support or partial scholarship.
  • You may also be required to provide a medical certificate, depending on the duration of your stay.
  • 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.
  • Proof of accommodation in China is required for the study visa.
  • You must have sufficient funds to cater for your stay in China.
  • The study visa costs about $90.

China Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The work visa is for foreigners who intend to legally work in China.
  • To apply for a work visa, you must have been offered a job in China.
  • You are also required to obtain an employment permit in securing a China work visa (Z visa).
  • You can get the employment permit issued by the Chinese government through the embassy you are applying from.
  • The Z visa is usually issued for one entry with a duration of stay of 000 — which means that it would be determined by the embassy.
  • A holder of the Z visa must enter China within 90 days of the visa issue and must register at a local public security bureau within 30 days of arrival in China.
  • The China residence permit will be issued at the bureau to replace the Z visa.
  • Unlike the Z visa, the residence permit allows multiple entries into China for one year.
  • In order to apply for the China Z visa, please take note of the following:
    • You must submit your original passport, plus a photocopy of the name page. Visas can only be stamped on your original passport.
    • The passport should have at least 12 months validity left and at least 2 blank visa pages for visa stamping. If this is not the case, you must renew your passport first before starting your application.
    • If you have a valid China visa in another passport, you will need to submit that passport together with the new passport when applying for a new visa.
    • All fields are mandatory when filling the application form. If a section doesn't apply, please type in "None" or "N/A'. Incomplete forms will be rejected.
    • Check for omission and errors before you print the form. Changes or correction is not allowed on the printed form. You must print a new form in case of any change or correction.
  • 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 jobs can get you a work visa. For instance, posts at small, private English schools often cannot.
  • 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 between five to fifteen days.

China Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

30.00 (USD)

Business visa

30.00 (USD)

Student visa

90.00 (USD)

Work visa

90.00 (USD)

China Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Swaziland

Location

Address

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best cities to visit in China?
While in China, you can visit some great cities in Mainland China to have a wonderful time and experience. Beijing is the capital and cultural center and is famous for receiving tourists. Guangzhou, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Nanjing, Shangai, Suzhou, Xi'an, Yangzhou, and Chengdu are some of the other cities that visitors can explore.
What is the language spoken in China?
The official language is Standard Mandarin which is mostly based on the Beijing dialect called Putonghua. Many regions, especially in the southeast and south of the country also have their own local dialect. Wu, Cantonese, Minnan are some of the local dialects. The older generation might only speak their local dialect but it shouldn't be a problem for travelers. Though the English language is taught in schools, it is rare to see conversations happen in English unless you visit the English corner where citizens practice their English on Friday evenings or Sundays in public parks.
What currency is spent in China?
The official currency of the People's Republic of China is the renminbi often abbreviated as RMB. It is easy to change foreign currency while in China and ATMs are readily available across the country and credit cards are accepted as well.
Is it safe to visit China?
Most of the major cities in China are safe and it is rare to experience violent crime so it is generally safe for even women at night. Petty crimes like bicycle theft and pickpocketing, however, happen especially at transportation hubs and crowded areas.