A visa is a type of entry permit issued by a country’s authorized 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 sovereign state has the right to independently decide whether to allow a foreigner to enter or exit from its borders, and whether to issue a visa, reject a visa application or revoke an issued visa 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 abroad are entitled to make the decision on visa type, number of entries, period of validity, and duration of stay, and to decide whether to reject a visa application or revoke an issued visa. 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.  

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Validity of the Visa ("Enter Before")

The validity period refers to the time during which the visa itself is valid, i.e., from the date of issuance to the final date on which the visa holder may enter China (based on Beijing Time). If there are unused entries remaining, the holder may enter China at any time before or on the expiration date.

Number of Entries ("Entries")

This refers to the number of times the visa holder is permitted to enter China within the visa's validity period.

Once all entries have been used or the visa has expired (even if unused entries remain), the visa becomes invalid. A new visa must be obtained before entering China. Entry will be denied if the traveler holds an expired visa.

Duration of Each Stay ("Duration of Each Stay")

This indicates the maximum number of days the visa holder is allowed to stay in China for each entry, starting from the day of entry.

Foreign nationals who overstay the permitted duration as indicated on their visa or residence/stay permits will be subject to fines and other penalties.

Holders of D, Q1, J1, S1, X1, and Z visas must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authority at the county level or above within 30 days of entry into China.