Chinese Visa Documents Checklist

Every Chinese visa application needs the same core set — a valid passport, the printed COVA form, a compliant photo and proof of the trip or an invitation — plus the papers specific to the visa category, such as a work permit notification for a Z visa or an admission notice and JW form for an X visa.

Core documents (every application)

Passport: Original, valid at least six months beyond entry, with at least two blank visa pages; a copy of the data page.
COVA application form: Completed online, printed, signed and dated.
Photo: Recent colour photo, 33 × 48 mm, white background, no glasses; also uploaded to COVA.
Proof of legal stay: Residence permit or visa when applying outside the country of nationality.
Travel itinerary: Round-trip flight bookings and hotel bookings covering the stay (tourist visa).
Invitation letter: From a Chinese company, institution or individual, with purpose, dates, place, relationship and the inviter's details (business, family and visit visas).
Category-specific documents: Work permit notification letter (Z), admission notice and JW form (X), proof of kinship (Q, S), MFA press approval (J).
Previous Chinese visas: Copies of earlier Chinese visas or a previous passport, where held.

Additional documents by visa type

Tourist visa (L)

Passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages
COVA online application form, printed and signed
Recent passport photo meeting the consular specification (also uploaded to COVA)
Round-trip flight bookings
Hotel bookings for the whole stay, or an invitation letter from a host in China with a copy of the host's ID
Proof of residence status if applying outside the country of nationality

Business visa (M)

Passport valid for at least six months with blank pages
COVA form and photo
Invitation letter from a Chinese company or trade fair organiser stating purpose, dates, place and the inviting entity's details, on letterhead with a stamp
Copy of the inviting company's business licence is sometimes requested
Proof of the applicant's employment or business

Exchange and visit visa (F)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Invitation letter from the inviting Chinese institution or organisation
Supporting letter from the applicant's own institution where relevant

Work visa (Z)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit issued through the employer
Employment contract and, where required, degree certificates and a criminal record check, authenticated or apostilled
Medical examination report (also needed for the residence permit)

Student visa (X1, X2)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Admission notice from the institution
Visa Application Form for Study in China (JW201 or JW202) for X1
Physical examination record for X1

Family visa (Q1, Q2)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Invitation letter from the relative in China
Copy of the relative's Chinese ID or permanent residence permit
Proof of the family relationship (marriage or birth certificate)

Private visit visa (S1, S2)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Invitation letter from the foreign resident in China with a copy of their passport and residence permit
Proof of the family relationship

Transit visa (G)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Onward ticket to the third country with a confirmed date and seat
Visa for the destination country where required

Journalist visa (J1, J2)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Visa notification letter from the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the relevant provincial foreign affairs office
Letter from the employing media organisation

Crew visa (C)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Guarantee letter from the transport company

Talent visa (R)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-level Talent issued by the provincial foreign expert authority

Permanent residence visa (D)

Passport, COVA form and photo
Confirmation Form for Foreigner's Permanent Residence Status

Sources

China Online Visa Application (COVA) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (retrieved 6 September 2026)
Appointment for Visa Application Submission (AVAS) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (retrieved 6 September 2026)
Chinese Visa Application Service Center — application guide — CVASC (retrieved 6 September 2026)