🇸🇳→🇨🇳Senegal→China

30 dayssingle entry4-7d processingvalid 90d

Tourism, family visits, transit with sightseeing

Standard tourist visa. Single-entry most common; double/multiple entry available at embassy discretion. 30-day stay per entry typical. Applied at Chinese embassy/consulate or CVASC (China Visa Application Service Center). Fee varies by nationality (reciprocity-based).

4-7d processing

Non-commercial exchanges, visits, study tours, cultural/scientific/academic exchange, lectures, short-term research

Official category: 'Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.' Distinct from the M (commercial/trade) visa - F covers non-commercial exchange, academic visits, lectures, cultural/scientific programs and volunteering. Stay length, validity and entries vary by grant; long-term F holders (intended stay over 180 days) must convert to a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. Fee varies by nationality (reciprocity-based). Applied at Chinese embassy/consulate or CVASC.

30 daysmultiple entry4-7d processingvalid 180d

Commercial and trade activities

For commercial/trade activities. Multiple-entry common for business travelers. Invitation letter from Chinese business partner typically required.

6 dayssingle entry4-7d processing

Transit through China

For travelers transiting China who do not qualify for visa-free transit. Note: nationals of 55 countries qualify for 240-hour (10-day) Visa-Free Transit at 65 designated ports across 24 provinces/regions/municipalities without a G visa (policy expanded from 72/144 hours to 240 hours effective 2024-12-17; designated ports increased to 65 effective 2025-11-05; official source: https://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/202412/t20241217_11495647.htm) - check the official list. A G visa is required for those who do not qualify for visa-free transit, exceed the free-transit window, or leave the permitted transit area.

4-7d processing

Family reunion or short visits with Chinese citizens or holders of Chinese permanent residence; foster care

Q1: long-term family reunion (intended stay over 180 days) for family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners holding Chinese permanent residence, or for foster-care purposes - single entry; holder must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. Q2: short-term visits to relatives (stay no more than 180 days per entry); can be multiple-entry and valid up to 10 years for US/Canadian citizens. Invitation letter from the relative in China required. Fee varies by nationality (reciprocity-based).

4-7d processing

Relatives visiting foreigners who are working or studying in China, and other private affairs

S1: long-term (intended stay over 180 days) for spouses, parents, children under 18 or parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work/study - single entry; must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. S2: short-term family visits or private matters (stay no more than 180 days). Equivalent of the Q visa but for relatives of FOREIGN (not Chinese) residents. Invitation letter from the foreign resident in China required. Fee varies by nationality (reciprocity-based).

multiple entry4-7d processing

Study at Chinese educational institutions

X1 for study programs 180+ days (must convert to residence permit in China); X2 for programs under 180 days. Requires JW201/JW202 form and admission letter from recognized Chinese educational institution.

4-7d processing

Foreign journalists and news-media personnel

J1: resident foreign journalists posted to China (intended stay over 180 days) - convert to a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. J2: foreign journalists on short-term news coverage (stay no more than 180 days). Requires prior clearance/authorization from China's competent foreign-affairs and press authorities. Fee varies by nationality (reciprocity-based).

Young foreign STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) graduates and researchers - education, research, entrepreneurship and business exchange

New ordinary visa category effective October 1, 2025 (State Council decision amending the Regulations on Exit-Entry Administration of Foreign Nationals). For young science-and-technology talent (STEM bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized university/research institution, or engaged in related teaching/research). No domestic employer, job offer or invitation letter required - self-sponsored. Offers greater flexibility in number of entries, validity and duration of stay than the 12 other ordinary visa types; permits education, cultural and science/technology exchange plus entrepreneurial and business activities. Official announcement: https://english.www.gov.cn/policies/latestreleases/202508/14/content_WS689dd0d3c6d0868f4e8f4d1e.html. Detailed conditions and fees are published by individual Chinese embassies/consulates and not yet uniformly listed.

multiple entry4-7d processing

High-level foreign talents and foreigners whose skills are urgently needed in China

Official category: 'Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China.' China's premium talent visa - more favorable terms (multiple entry, longer validity, commonly up to 5-10 years) than a standard Z work visa. Requires a talent-qualification certification from competent Chinese authorities and/or a Confirmation Letter for High-level Foreign Talents from the inviting organization. Long-term holders convert to a residence permit after arrival. Fee varies by nationality. Fast-track processing (about 5 working days) is available for qualifying talent.

30 dayssingle entry4-10d processingvalid 90d

Employment in China

Single-entry; must be converted to a work-type Residence Permit within 30 days of arrival. Requires work permit notification letter issued by Chinese authorities and employment contract. Sponsored by Chinese employer.

multiple entry4-7d processing

Crew members of international aircraft, ships, and trains, and cross-border motor vehicle drivers on international transport missions, plus their accompanying family members

One of China's official ordinary visa categories (currently missing from this catalog). Issued to crew members of ships, aircraft and trains on international service, and to cross-border motor-vehicle drivers, plus their accompanying family members. Requires a letter of guarantee from the foreign transport company or an invitation letter from the relevant Chinese unit. Stay length, validity and number of entries are determined case-by-case by exit-entry administration authorities rather than fixed by category - multiple-entry is typical for recurring international crew but single-entry grants also occur. Fee varies by nationality (reciprocity-based); standard processing is 4 business days with rush/express options for extra fees. Confirmed via official Chinese embassy consular guidance: https://pk.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/va/202411/t20241104_11520694.htm and https://newyork.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/Visa/fpt/202505/t20250522_11630647.htm (verified 2026-07).

single entry4-7d processing

Entry visa for foreign nationals who intend to reside in China permanently and have already been approved for Chinese permanent residence status

One of China's official ordinary visa categories (currently missing from this catalog). Issued to foreign nationals who intend to reside in China permanently, requiring the Ministry of Public Security's Confirmation Form for Foreigner's Permanent Residence Status. Holder must apply for a foreigner's residence permit at the local public security exit/entry administration within 30 days of entry. This is the entry-visa counterpart to the PR grant itself (distinct from the 'rbi' permanent-residence-by-investment/talent programs already listed, which describe how PR status is obtained; the D visa is what is used to physically enter China once that status is approved). Fee varies by nationality (reciprocity-based); standard processing is 4 business days. Confirmed via official Chinese embassy consular guidance: https://pk.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/va/202411/t20241104_11520694.htm (verified 2026-07).