Visa to China
o Submitting of an application for visa
In order to submit an application for visa to China you need to fill the Application Form through the online
system and afterwards make an appointment for submission of the visa application at the Consular Office of the
Embassy of PRC in SR. Application for visa has to be submitted in person by each applicant in accordance to the
Important notice regarding issuing of biometric visa and collecting fingerprints (2019-09-18)
Application for visa to China: https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn
Reservation of an appointment for submission of the visa application: https://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn
* Reservation of an appointment can only be done after the application is completely submitted through online
system.
o Introduction to Chinese visa
Chinese visas fall into 4 types: diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. Ordinary visas are
further divided into 12 sub-types or 16 categories.
Photography
Date of visa issuance
= the date since the
visa is valid and can
be used
Date of visa expiration
= the date until when
the visa is valid and can
be used
Number of entries:
01 - one entry
02 - two entries
M - multiple entries
Duration of
each granted
stay = the
longest period
of time a
person can stay
in China from
the day of entry
Category
= type of visa:
L - tourist
M - business
F - non-business
X - study
Z - work
...
Number of visa
Remarks: filled only in case a person was granted Z,
X1, Q1, S1 or D visa and states a requirement to apply
for a residence permit at the local Public Security
authority within 30 days from arrival to PRC.
o Types of visa
Eligible Applicants
Foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and
ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the
accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships.
Foreigners who intend to reside in China permanently.
Foreigners who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other non-business
activities.
Foreigners who intend to transit through China.
Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended
duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended
duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to go to China as a tourist.
Foreigners who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
Foreigners 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.
Foreigners 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.
Foreigners who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China.
Foreigners 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.
Foreigners 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.
Foreigners who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to work in China.
* Family members refer to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters,
grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
o Documents which have to be provided together with an application for visa
Tourist visa – L
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Itinerary for the whole trip
Reservation of return flight tickets
Reservation of accommodation
Business visa – M
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport -valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Invitation letter from Chinese business partner – must be on letterhead paper and duly signed and stamped
Non-business visa – F
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Invitation letter from Chinese inviting institution (universities, research centers etc.) – must be on
letterhead paper and duly signed and stamped
Study visa – X
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China"
外国留学人员来华签证申请表
(JW201 or
JW202 form)
Original and photocopy of "Admission Notice"
录取通知书
Work visa – Z
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Original of "Alien's Working Licence" 外国人就业许可证书 or "Permit for Foreign Experts" 外国专家来华工
作许可证 (usually sent by email in both English and Chinese – please print and submit both versions)
Transit visa – G
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Reservation of return flght tickets
Crew member visa – C
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport -valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Original and copy of the crew member´s license
Invitation letter from the airline, shipping or train company
Schedule of flights/voyages etc. according to which the number of entries and length of stay will be
determined
Journalist visa – J
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Official letter from the media institution, which sends journalist to the PRC
Invitation letter - "Invitation of Duly Authorized Unit"
被授权单位邀请函
or approval to issue journalist visa,
submitted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC.
o In case journalists are traveling with a government delegation, it is necessary to submit a note from
the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic or other competent authority of
the Slovak Republic
Photocopy of journalist license
Visit of family members residing in China – S
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Invitation letter from the family member living in China
o If accommodation is provided by inviter, it has to be stated clearly in the Invitation letter, together
with the full address of the inviter
Copy of the passport of the family member living in PRC
Copy of residence permit of the family member living in PRC
Photocopy of a document proving relationship between applicant and inviter
o In case of souses: marriage certificate
o In case of children: birth certificate
Chinese family reunion – Q
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Invitation letter from the family member living in China, who is either Chinese citizen or foreigner with
long-term residence permit to live in PRC:
o If family member is Chinese, you have to submit: copy of relative's ID
o If family member is foreigner living in PRC, you have to submit: copy of relative's passport, copy of
residence permit to live in PRC
o If accommodation is provided by inviter, it has to be stated clearly in the Invitation letter, together
with the full address of the inviter
Original and copy of a document proving relationship between applicant and inviter
o In case of souses: marriage certificate
o In case of children: birth certificate
High-level talent visa – R
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations
o applicant should meet the relevant requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese
government on high-level talents and individually with special skills urgently needed by China
Permanent residence – D
Printed Confirmation of China Online Visa Application
Printed Visa Application form (in total it has 8 pages)
Printed AVAS Confirmation of online reservation of appointment
Passport - valid 6 or more months and with at least 1 free double pages for visa
Photocopy of the passport (only page with photo)
Confirmation of long-term residence approval from the relevant Public Security Department of the PRC
o The applicant must first, personally or through a relative in China, ask the relevant Chinese Public
Security Department for entry and exit to confirm the long-term residence permit.
NON-SLOVAK citizen without Slovak passport have to submit also these documents:
- Proof of a permanent residence in Slovak Republic valid for at least 5 years: you have to enclose a copy of
your resident permit card – this card has to be valid at least 6 months after your return from PRC
- Support letter from your employer in SR in form of a confirmation of the existence of employment
- In case you are a student in SR you have to submit a confirmation of attendance a school/university
- This rule also applies to citizens of Schengen counties within the EU.
Persons under 18 travelling to PRC have to submit also these additional documents:
- Copy of the birth certificate
- Copies of ID´s of both parents
- Written agreement of both parents with travelling of their child to PRC (doesn´t have to be notarized)
o In case someone is living only with one parent than they should enclose only one agreement, one
copy of ID and copy of court decision on child custody
-
These documents have to be submitted also in case when child is travelling to PRC with parents.
o Fees and payment information
Visa fees for all types of visa for citizens from countries of the Schengen Area
1 Entry
2 Entries
Multiple
entries valid
for 6 months
Multiple
entries valid
for 1 year
Visa for
mainland PRC
60 €
Visa fees for all types of visa for citizens from countries from non-Schengen Area
1 Entry
2 Entries
Multiple
entries valid
for 6 months
Multiple
entries valid
for 1 year
Visa for
mainland PRC
40 €
60 €
80 €
125 €
Based on the bilateral reciprocity, the visa fee can differ according to the citizenship of the applicant for visa.
If the visa fee should differ from the table above, the fee will be decided by the Embassy of PRC in Slovak Republic.
Issuance of visa:
Standard time for processing of the visa application is one week from the day of submission of the application in
person at Consular Department. In case the visa is needed faster there is a possibility to ask for an express service
until next consular day. Fee for express service is 21 €.
Payment information:
Visa fee has to be paid after the submission of the application at the Consular Office. After the application is
accepted you will be handed over a “Payment Notice”. There you will find information about how to pay for the visa
and when is the date to pick-up the visa. The payment has to be realized in cash in ČSOB bank with correct variable
symbol = Pick-up Form number . It is not possible to pay by means of bank transfer from an account or to use a
payment order.
Pick-up information:
Upon the pick-up of the visa it is necessary to present the “Payment Notice” with “Pick-up Form” (both documents
are handed over by Consular Office upon accepting the application) and the original of the payment confirmation
from ČSOB bank . Information about payment must be correct on the payment confirmation. Consular Office keeps
the original of all the above mentioned documents. The Consular Office shall check the payment with the bank and
it mayby take some time. If you need more payment confirmations, you should to ask in the bank upon realizing the
payment.
Visa pick-up does not need to be done in person. There is a possibility to appoint another person to pick-up the visa,
unless the Consular Office has decided otherwise. Appointed person needs to present only above mentioned
documents. Power of attorney is not needed.
The Embassy of PRC in Slovak Republic reserves the right to not grant the visa to the applicant if it considers it
appropriate.
o Exemptions from visa requirement
Direct Transit
A foreign citizen who is transiting through China by air is exempted from a visa if he/she will stay only in the airport
for no more than 24 hours and has a valid connecting ticket with confirmed seating on an international flight.
Citizens with passport or other international travel document, confirmed interline ticket and valid visa to the third
country or region (if required) of the following 51 countries, can apply to stay in the transit cities without visa for 72
hours on direct transit via the following airports: PEK, PVG, SHA, CAN, CTU, CKG, SHE, DLC, XIY, HGH, KWL,
KMG. (For more info, please check the airports' websites)
51 countries: Albania, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria,
Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Montenegro,
New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Republic of Korea,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
Travelling to Hong Kong and Macao
Slovak citizens traveling to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan for tourism or personal matters can stay there for
a maximum of 90 days without a visa. To enter Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, a valid travel document with
enough free pages is sufficient.
NOTE: One Chinese visa entry (Chinese inland visa) will lose its validity when you leave China for Hong Kong,
Macao or Taiwan. Returning from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to the Chinese mainland requires further entry to
the visa.
If you are traveling to Hong Kong or Macao for purposes other than tourism, ask if you need a visa, directly or
through your inviting organization:
if you are traveling to Hong Kong at the Immigration Department of HK, website: www.immd.gov.hk
in the case of a trip to Macao at the Macau Government Tourist Office, website: www.macautourist.gov.mo,
email: mgto@macautourism.gov.mo
For information on the countries whose citizens need a Hong Kong visa, visit:
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm, and download the HK visa application form at:
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/fvisit.htm.
Documents necessary for applying for a visa to Hong Kong (for nationals of countries with a visa requirement with
HK):
1. Completed application form for entry and transit to Hong Kong
2. Photo: 1x current color original photo of passport format, stick on form
3. Original and photocopy of passport: valid 6 or more months after return from PRC with 1 free double page
for visa
4. Applicants with a non-Slovak passport need to enclose copy of resident permit card (see Documents which
have to be provided together with an application for visa)
5. Printed ticket to Hong Kong and back (purchased or booked)
6. Hotel reservation in Hong Kong
7. Invitation letter in the case of a business visit
8. Bank account statement for the last 3 months
The applicant must appear in person.
In addition to the aforementioned documents, additional documents may also be required, as appropriate.
Travelling to Hainan
Following the decision of the State Migration Office of the PRC, citizens of 59 countries will be granted visa-free
access to the island of Hainan from 1 May 2018.
Nationals of the countries listed below holding ordinary passports traveling to Hainan province and registered with
a travel agency based in Hainan can avoid the visa requirement through the port of entry in Hainan province, while
in the administrative area of   the province Chai-nan stay 30 days without a visa.
For further explanation of the specific conditions and activities of the Visa Free Policy please visit the following
website: http://en.explorehainan.com/en/index/wjb.shtml
List of countries applying the policy:
Russia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria,
Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Hungary, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Iceland,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg , Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania,
Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico,
Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan,
Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus.