I. Object of Application
Foreigners who need to stay or reside in China for reasons other than diplomatic or official business after their entry into China may, in accordance with relevant regulations, apply to the exit-entry departments of public security organs for the extension, replacement or reissuance of visas, the issuance, replacement or reissuance of stay permits and the issuance, extension, replacement or reissuance of residence permits.
II. Authorities to Apply
Foreigners shall apply for visas to the exit-entry departments of public security organs at or above the county level entrusted by the Ministry of Public Security.
III. Means of Application
Foreigners who apply for the extension, replacement or reissuance of visas and residence permits or stay permits shall go through relevant procedures in person at the exit-entry departments of public security organs. Under any of the following circumstances, the inviting entity or individual, relatives of the applicant and relevant professional service agencies may file the application on behalf of the applicant:
1. The applicant is under the age of 16 or over the age of 60 or it would unduly inconvenience the applicant due to illness or other reasons;
2. The applicant's current entry is not his or her first entry into China and the applicant has good records of stay or residence in China;
3. The inviting entity or individual has guaranteed to cover the necessary expenses of the applicant incurred in China.
Foreigners who apply for residence permits shall go through relevant procedures in person at the exit-entry departments of public security organs. For high-level talents needed by the State or specialists urgently needed and in the circumstances mentioned in the first provision of the preceding clauses, the inviting entity or individual, relatives and relevant professional service agencies may make the application on behalf of the applicant.
IV. Entity Registration for Reference
Entities that invite and receive foreigners may apply to file records with the exit-entry departments of local public security organs.
V. Application Procedures
Foreigners who apply for visas shall accept relevant inquiries from the exit-entry departments of China's public security organs. The relevant entity (individual) shall cooperate where the exit-entry departments need to verify relevant information with the inviting entity (individual). The exit-entry departments may refuse to issue the visa according to law if the applicant, or the entity or individual concerned fails to take the interview at the agreed time in accordance with the notice of the exit-entry departments without justified reasons.
Foreigners who apply for a visa shall submit their valid passports or other international travel documents, fill in an application form for visas for foreigners, submit a photo conforming to relevant requirements, and submit supporting materials related to purposes of the application.
VI. Receipt of Acceptance
The exit-entry departments of China's public security organs shall accept and issue a receipt of acceptance of a visa application that meets the acceptance requirements after examination, and make a decision on whether to issue the visa or not within the validity period of receipt of acceptance. The valid period of acceptance receipt for visa and stay permit applications is not more than 7 working days from the date of acceptance. The receipt of acceptance of a residence permit application shall be valid within 15 working days from the date of acceptance.
If the passport or other international travel documents held by the applicant are kept by the exit-entry departments, the applicant may stay or reside in China lawfully on the strength of the receipt of acceptance. With the reasons justified, the applicant may apply to the exit-entry departments for temporary retrieval of passports or other international travel documents, but the applicant shall return the passport or other international travel documents within the validity period of receipt of acceptance, so that the exit-entry departments will not be affected in issuing corresponding visas.
VII. Documents Required for Visa Extension
Foreigners who apply for extension of duration of stay in their visas shall apply to the exit-entry departments of China's public security organs 7 days before the expiry of the duration of stay specified in their visas, and submit relevant application supporting materials as required:
1. C visa holders shall submit a letter of certification issued by the competent department of the people's government at or above the county level or the local civil aviation, railway, road and port transportation company. The stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.
2. F visa holders shall submit a letter of certification issued by the inviting and receiving entity. The entities that have not filed for the record shall also submit the registration certificate. The stay can be extended for no more than 180 days.
3. G visa holders shall submit a letter of certification from the reception entity and a ticket for the flight (bus or ship) to the country (region) with confirmed seat and confirmed date. The stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.
4. J2 visa holders shall submit the letter from the foreign affairs department of the people's government at the provincial level. The stay may be extended for no more than 30 days.
5. L visa holders shall submit a travel itinerary, and a letter of certification from the travel agency for a group tour. The stay may be extended for no more than 30 days.
6. M visa holders shall submit a letter of certification issued by the local inviting and receiving entity or individual, and the entity that has not filed for the record shall also submit the registration certificate. If the partner is an individual, the letter shall be signed and the certificate of permanent residence or the certificate of residence of the actual place of residence shall be submitted. The stay may be extended for no more than 180 days.
7. Q2 visa holders shall submit the letter, the identity certificate and proof of family member relationship issued by the person being visited, and the stay period may be extended for no more than 180 days.
8. R visa holders shall submit a certification letter issued by the inviting and receiving entity. Entities that have not filed records shall also submit registration certificates. The stay can be extended for no more than 180 days.
9. For S2 visa holders, foreigners' visiting family members shall submit an invitation letter issued by the person being visited, the residence permit of the inviting individual, and certification showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual. Foreigners visiting for other purposes shall submit documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs or humanitarian causes. The period of stay may be extended for no more than 180 days for visiting relatives, and no more than 90 days for other people.
10. X2 visa holders shall submit a letter of certification of study issued by an education and training institution within the territory of China. The stay can be extended for no more than 180 days.
The extension of duration of stay of the visa shall not exceed the duration of stay originally indicated in the visa.
VIII. Documents Required for Visa Change
1. Foreigners, who change the purpose of stay or are granted entry conveniences in accordance with relevant provisions of the State, or start using new passports or need to stay separately from the tour group after entering China with a group visa due to objective reasons, shall submit the following supporting materials for a change of visa:
a. For change to F visa, a letter of certification issued by the inviting entity shall be submitted, a zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa with a valid period of no more than one year and a stay period of no more than 180 days may be issued. For those who meet the relevant State regulations on high-level foreign talents and investors, multiple-entry visas with a valid period of no more than 5 years and a stay period of no more than 180 days may be issued.
b. For change to J2 visa, a letter of certification issued by the foreign affairs department of the people's government at the provincial level shall be submitted. Zero-entry visas with a stay period of no more than 30 days may be issued.
c. For change to M visa, the applicant shall submit a letter of certification issued by the inviting entity, and may be issued a zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa with a valid period of entry not exceeding one year and a stay period not exceeding 180 days.
d. For change to Q2 visa, the applicant shall submit letter, the identity certificate and proof of family member relationship issued by the person being visited. Zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visas with a valid period of no more than one year and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be issued.
e. For change to R visa, the applicant shall submit certification materials that meet the conditions and requirements for the introduction of high-level foreign talents or urgently needed specialists as determined by the competent departments of the Chinese government, as well as certification letters issued by the inviting and receiving organizations. Zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visas with a valid period of no more than 5 years and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be issued.
f. For change to S2 visa, the visiting person shall submit the letter issued by the person to be visited, the foreigner's residence permit, and the proof of family member relationship. Other personnel shall submit relevant certifying materials for humanitarian reasons. Zero-entry or single-entry visas with a valid period of no more than three months and a stay period of no more than 180 days can be issued.
g. For change to X2 visa, the applicant shall submit an official letter and a certificate of admission and enrollment issued by an education or training institution within the territory of China, and may be issued a zero-entry, single-entry or double-entry visa with a validity period of no more than one year and a stay period of no more than 180 days.
2. Foreigners who start using a new passport because the original one is about to expire or is running out of visa pages may apply for a change of visa by submitting the original passport with the latest entry stamp or relevant certification issued by the embassy or consulates of the applicant's country in China specifying that the original passport has been withdrawn. The foreigners may be issued a visa that is consistent with the type, validity entry period, duration of stay and the remaining valid entry times of the original one.
3. Foreigners who need to add accompanying persons on the same passport after entry shall submit the passport with the latest entry stamp and the birth certificate of the accompanying persons. The visa may be changed in accordance with the provisions in the preceding paragraph.
4. Foreigners who need to stay separately from their tour group after entering China with a group visa shall submit certification letter issued by the hosting travel agency. The visa may be changed in accordance with the provisions in the preceding paragraph.
