How to get a China visa from Vietnam

• Chinese tourist visa (also called L visa) is for leisure, pleasure and tourism purposes.
• The tourist visa allows for a short stay in China.
• China tourist visa is subdivided into three types: single entry, double entry, and multiple entry.
• Single Entry allows for a single entry into china and is valid for 30 days to 60 days.
• Double-entry allows for two entries and is valid for 30 days to 60 days.
• Multiple entry allows for multiple entries and is valid for six months and a year.
• Even with a multiple-entry visa, the embassy has to decide how long you can stay back in China.
• Only UK, US, Canadian and Argentine citizens are eligible for a 10-year China tourist visa with multiple entries.
• When applying for a Chinese tourist visa, you are to provide a copy of your return ticket and a hotel reservation for the duration of your stay.
• The invitation letter containing the full details of your host is required.
• The visa is valid between the issue and the entry date. Hence, holders of a Chinese tourist visa are to gain entry 24 hours before the entry date.
• Overstaying on a tourist visa is not allowed.
• Applicants applying for a Chinese Visa are required to go to the embassy. Applications through mails are not allowed and will be refused at the Chinese Consulate.
• An employment letter from an employed Vietnamese citizen is to be presented at the embassy.
• A group visa is available for individuals traveling in groups.
• It takes about 4 working days to process a Chinese tourist visa.
• A photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual is to be provided at the consulate.
• The tourist visa is extendable and can be applied at the local Exit and Entry Administration of China
• You are expected to apply for an extension seven days before the L visa expires.

• Business travelers can visit China for business and commercial activities with a business visa.
• The business visa has three subcategories; single, double and multiple-entry basis.
• Holders can also attend trade fairs, visit and negotiate clients or sign contracts.
• The Chinese business visa is subdivided into two types; the M visa which is for business and trade-related activities and the F visa is for non-commercial activities.
• The F visa allowed its holders to attend to business-related activities before the M-visa was introduced.
• Foreigners who have been issued this type of visa can be allowed to attend lectures, investigations, cultural or scientific programs.
• The Chinese M visa is valid between 30 to 60 days.
• The visa is extendable but depends on the applicant’s valid personal reasons and the discretion of the Embassy.
• The applicants who wish to extend their visas are to apply seven days before the M-visa expires.
• A letter of invitation or confirmation letter duly signed by an authorized Chinese institute is required.
• Also, a letter of invitation issued by a Chinese business or trade partner is to be provided by the applicant.
• A power of attorney is not needed when a third party or an agency is entrusted to submit your application documents with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
• An original and photocopy of the applicant’s business registration certificate and tax clearance are required for the application process.
• Working with an M-visa in china is not allowed. Foreigners who want to work in China are to apply for a work visa.
• The M visa was created to specifically accommodate business professionals.

• The Chinese Work Visa (Z) is for applicants who want or have gained employment in a Chinese company.
• Holders of this visa can also take up paid commercial entertainment performances in China.
• It's illegal to work in China without a work visa.
• Only 18-60-year-olds are eligible to apply for a work visa. However, those not within this age range can be granted work visas if they can find an employer who wants to employ them.
• The visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in China.
• Your employer have to seek for a temporary residence permit for the duration of your employment contract.
• The Chinese work visa can only be applied on a single entry basis.
• Before an employee is granted a work visa, he/she has to obtain a work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC through their employers.
• Unlike the work visa, the residence permits multiple entries up to a year.
• You are expected to have a letter confirming their employment status with a Chinese company.
• A copy of a valid re-entry pass or residence permit is required.
• You are liable to a jail term sentence or to be fined if you are found working without a work visa.
• An official letter of invitation written with the company letterhead indicating the terms of employment and the address of the company is to be provided.
• Applicants need to submit one of the following work permits obtained through their employers in China:
• a. Foreigners Work Permit - issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC.
• b. Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries (regions) - issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration.
• c. An approval document for commercial performances - issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs.
• d. Invitation Letter to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations - issued by National Offshore Oil Corporation.

• The Chinese student visa (X) is granted to foreign students coming to China for study, advanced studies and fieldwork.
• The Chinese student visa has two types; the X1 and X2 visa.
• The X1 visa is a long term visa which permits holders to stay and study in China for more than 6 months while the X2 visa is issued to students to study in China for only six months.
• Holders of this visa can study and work part-time during the duration of their stay.
• Students can also apply for internships during the duration of their stay.
• It is compulsory to apply for a temporary residence permit from the Public Security Bureau within 30 days upon entry into China while you are with an X1 visa.
• The JW201 and JW202 forms are submitted during the X1 application process.
• The JW201 and JW202 issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education and the notice of admission from your school are to be provided.
• The JW201 / JW202 form is to be submitted at the consulate or embassy during your application for the Chinese student visa(X visa).
• The JW201 form is meant for those studying in China on a full scholarship while JW202 is for studying in China on a partial scholarship.
• Minors will need to provide an original copy of their birth certificate. A notarized letter of consent signed by both your parents should be part of the documents to be submitted too.
• Mailed applications are rejected by most Chinese embassies or consulates, but acceptable in many CVASCs.
• The JW201 or JW202 form should be obtained through the school you are to enroll at. JW201 form is issued to international students dispatched by the government or funded by Chinese government scholarships while JW202 is for self-sponsored foreign students.
• X1 visa holders are expected to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit from the local Exit and Entry Administration within 30 days of arrival into China.
• The temporary residence permit issued is valid for up to 5 years.
• Within the validity of the Temporary Residence Permit, students can travel in and out of mainland China freely.

The official language spoken in China is Mandarin. More than 70% of the Chinese population speaks Mandarin, but there are also several other major dialects in use in China: Yue (Cantonese), Xiang (Hunanese), Min dialect, Gan dialect, Wu dialect, and Kejia or Hakka dialect.