Introduction to Chinese Visa
A visa is a type of entry permit issued by a country’sauthorized government agencies in accordance with its laws and regulations for foreigners' entering, exiting or transiting through the country.According to international law and practices, any sovereignstate has the right to independently decide whether to allow a foreigner to enter orexit from its borders,and whether to issuea visa, reject a visa application or revoke an issuedvisa according to its national laws.
In accordance with the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China,the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners and other relevant regulations, Chinese visa offices abroadare entitled to make the decisionon visa type, number of entries, period of validity, and duration of stay, and to decide whether torejecta visa application orrevoke an issuedvisa. Except for cases where visas are exempted according to relevant agreements and regulations, foreigners are required to apply for and obtain Chinese visas before entering China.
Foreigners traveling to the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, and the Macao SAR of China are required to apply for corresponding visas separately.
Application Procedures for Chinese Visa
Please refer to the Notice on the Launch of Online Visa Application Services & Frequently Asked Questions.
(http://ug.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/sgxwgb/202503/t20250326_11582612.htm)
Documents Required for Ordinary Visas
Basic Documents:
1. Passport: a passport with over 6 months’ validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the information page of the passport.
2. Photo: aprinted copy of the Visa Application Form completed online, andapaper photo that is the same asthe one uploaded in the application form
3. Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for visas in their country of citizenship)
4 Previous Chinese passport (applicable to foreign citizens who used to beChinese citizens)or previous Chinese visas:
4.1 If a foreign citizen whoused to be a Chinese citizen isapplying for a Chinese visa for the first time, the original of the previous Chinese passport and a photocopy of its information page should be submitted.
4.2 If a foreign citizen who was issueda Chinese visa before is applying for a Chinese visa with a different foreign passport, aphotocopy of the information page of the previous passport and a photocopy of the previous Chinese visa should be submitted.
4.3 If the name on the current foreign passport differs from that on the previous Chinese passport or the previous Chinese visa, an official document issued by competent authorities onthe name change should be submitted.
Other documents required for different visa types:
Visa Type | Purpose | Required Documents |
L | Tourist | Itinerary documents includingair ticket booking record (round trip) andproof of hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by an entity orindividual in China |
M | Business and trade | An invitation letter issued bya trading partner in China |
F | Non-commercial activities such as exchanges, visits, and study tours | An invitation letter issued by the relevant entity or individual inChina |
Z | Work | The original of the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners or the Work Permit for Foreigners |
X1 | Long-term study (for more than 180 days) | (1) A photocopy ofthe Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 orForm JW202) and the originalor a photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by the school in China (2) The original or a photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Elementary-Stage Foreign Students to Study in China, ifthe applicant is aforeign student of the primary/elementary or junior/senior high school level |
X2 | Short-term study (for no more than 180 days) | The originalor a photocopy of the Admission Noticeissued by the receiving institution in China |
Q1 | Family reunion (for more than 180 days) for family members of Chinese citizens, or family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent resident status , and for those who intend to enter and stay in China for the purpose of foster care “Family members”refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons,daughters, sons-in-law,daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters,grandparents,grandsons, and granddaughters. | (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinesecitizen or a foreigncitizen with a Chinesepermanent residentstatusresiding inChina (2) A photocopy of the inviter’s Chinese ID card orforeignpassport and the permanentresident IDcard (3) The original and aphotocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate,birth certificate)showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter |
Q2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180days) to a relative who is aChinese citizen residing inChinaor a foreigner withChinese permanent resident status residing in China | (1) An invitation letter issued by the Chinesecitizen or foreigncitizen with a Chinesepermanent resident statusresiding inChina (2) Aphotocopy of the Chinese ID card or the foreignpassport and thepermanent resident ID card of the inviter |
S1 | Long-term family visit (for more than 180days) to a foreigner working or studyingin China, to whom the visitor is aspouse, parent, son ordaughter under the age of 18,or parent-in-law,or long-term stay in China forother private affairs | (1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing inChina) (2) A photocopy of the inviter’spassport and residencepermit (3) The original andaphotocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate,birth certificate)showing kinship between the applicant and theinviter |
S2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180days) to a foreigner working or studyingin China, to whom the visitor is a family member,orshort-term stay in China forother private affairs “Family members” refers tospouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons,daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters,grandparents, grandsons, andgranddaughters. | For family visits: (1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing inChina) (2) A photocopy of the inviter’spassport and residencepermit (3) The original andaphotocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate,birth certificate)showing kinship between the applicant and theinviter For other private affairs: relevant documents as required |
R | High-level foreign talents or foreigners whose skills are urgently needed in China. | Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talents |
C | Foreign crewmembersofmeans ofinternationaltransportation,including aircraft, trains andships, or motor vehicle driversengaged in cross-bordertransport activities, or theaccompanying family members of the crew members of theabove-mentioned ships. | GuaranteeLetterfrom theforeign transport company oran invitation letter froma relevant entity in China |
D | Applicants who intend toreside in China permanently | Confirmation Form forForeigner’s Permanent Resident Status |
G | Applicants who intend to transit through China | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date to the destination country or region |
J1 | Resident foreignjournalists of foreign newsorganizations stationed inChina | Visa Notification Letter issued by theDepartment of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacyofthe Ministry ofForeign Affairs of China |
J2 | Foreign journalistswho intend to enter China forshort-term news coverage | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy ofthe Ministry ofForeignAffairs of China or other authorized entities inChina |
Group L | Group tourists | Invitation Letter for Tourist Group issued by the authorized Tourism Unit |
The consular officer reserves the right to require additional supporting documents when it is considered necessary.
Application Procedure for Diplomatic/Service/Courtesy Visas or Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders
Diplomatic or service passport holders as well as diplomatic, official or courtesy visa applicants shall also submit their applications via the website (https://www.visaforchina.cn/user/login?site=KLA3_EN), and submit the passports and required documents according to the online review feedback (Visa Application Certificate) to the Visa Section of Chinese Embassy in Uganda on mornings (8:30-11:30) of every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except for public holidays).
For more details, please refer to the Notice on the Launch of Online Visa Application Services & Frequently Asked Questions.
(http://ug.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/sgxwgb/202503/t20250326_11582612.htm)
Processing Time
Regular service: 4 working days (except for special circumstances)
Express service: 3 working days (except for special circumstances)
Urgent service: 2 working days (except for special circumstances)
Please be noted that the above-mentioned processing time is for normal circumstances. Some individual applications may need a longer processing time. Should this occur, please wait patiently for further notification from the Visa Application Center or the Embassy.
About Fees
Please refer to the notice relevant.
(http://ug.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/xwdt/202412/t20241228_11523052.htm)
Contact Means
Chinese Visa Application Center in Kampala:
Tel: +256-326-300451
Add: Plot 9, Yusuf Lule Road,Kampala
Email: kampalacenter@visaforchina.org
Working hours: Monday to Friday 9:00-15:00 (except for public holidays)
Consular Section of Chinese Embassy in Uganda：
Inquiry Tel： +256-393-000172
Inquiry Time： 13:30-17:30 （except for public holidays）