Ⅰ. Applying for L-Visa
(A) Foreigner coming to China to travel can apply for zero-entry or single-entry L-visa that is valid for up to one month. The maximum times that they can apply is twice.
Applicants should answer related questions if asked, and provide the following documents:
1. Applicant’s original and valid passport and L-visa, as well as copies of the applicant’s passport and L-visa;
2. Temporary Residence Registration Certificate;
3. Properly-completed Foreigner’s Visa and Residence Permit Application Form with a photograph of the applicant’s affixed to the form. The photograph should be:
two inches in size
taken recently, showing current appearance
show full face and front view with a plain white or off-white background
taken in normal street attire (do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline);
4. Financial documents (such as cash, traveler’s checks, draft, cash card, etc.) verify that the applicant has enough financial source to cover the living expenses during the stay in China. The estimated living expenses is $100 per day.
(B) Foreigners who come to China to seek medical treatment or for any other personal reasons can apply for zero-entry or single-entry L-visa that is valid for three months. The maximum time that they can apply is only once.
Applicants should answer related questions if asked, and provide the following documents:
1. Applicant’s original and valid passport and L-visa, as well as copies of the applicant’s passport and L-visa;
2. Temporary Residence Registration Certificate;
3. Properly-completed Foreigner’s Visa and Residence Permit Application Form with a photograph of the applicant affixed to the form. The photograph should be:
two inches in size
taken recently, showing current appearance
show full face and front view with a plain white or off-white background
taken in normal street attire (do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline);
4. Applicants who wish to seek medical treatment in China should also provide diagnosis documents issued by a hospital that is at or above the county level;
5. Applicants who come to China for other personal reasons should provide relevant documents.
Ⅱ. Re-applying for Visa
In addition to the above-mentioned required documents, foreigners holding new passports and re-applying for L-visas must also provide the following documents:
1. If you hold a new passport because your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, you should provide certificate of passport loss report issued by the departments that are in charge of administration of exit and entry under the public security bureau or provide documents issued by relevant foreign embassy or consulate in China;
2. If you hold a new passport because your previous passport was expired or your visa pages had run out, you should provide the previous passports that you used when you entered China;
3. For foreign infants born in China and holding separate passports, their parents should present the original birth certificates of the infants and copies of the infant’s parents’ passports.
Ⅲ. PROVISIONS
1. Applicants must pay visa application fee in accordance with the relevant regulations of competent organs of Chinese government.
2. L-visa holders are forbidden to work in China. The public security units will impose punishment in accordance with law on those foreigners or responsible persons who unlawfully reside or stay in China or break law in China.
3. Applicants’ valid staying period and the total entry times should be based on the result of the approval by the departments in charge of administration of exit and entry under public security bureau.
4. The departments in charge of administration of exit and entry under public security bureau have the right to refuse to issue visas and documents to foreigners in accordance with law, and to revoke the issued visas and documents or declare null and void.
5. The normal processing time, including accepting application, examination, approval, and issuing a visa, is five business days.
Nanjing Exit-and-Entry Administration Division
of Public Security Bureau
home > exit-entry administration > Visa application
