Indians desirous of visiting China for any purpose must possess a Chinese visa. The type of visa required would vary depending on the category you are eligible for.
China Visa Types
There are many types of China visa, each alluding to a specific purpose of visit. A specific visa category only allows travel to the country for that strictly defined purpose. As such, it is important to understand the many China visa types:
L: If you are an Indian visiting China as a tourist, then you need to apply for a type L visa. This visa permits travellers to come to China either as independent tourists or as part of a tourist group.
X: If you are an Indian student in China, then your requirement would fit into the country's X visa category. Again, it is the duration and nature of your course that will determine what further categorisation of the China types of visa would apply. For short-term studies of less than 180 days, an X2 visa will suffice; otherwise, you would need to apply for a long-term X1 visa.
S: China visa categories applicable to family members of foreigners staying in China would be those under the type specified as S. While an immediate family can visit the country for more than 180 days with an S1 visa, those coming to visit the temporary Chinese resident for less than 180 days can do so with an S2 visa.
F: Indian nationals visiting China for briefly as part of official tours or exchange programmes and similar activities have to apply for the type F visa issued by the Chinese embassy.
M: Indians visiting China for carrying business or commercial trade there are eligible to apply for a type M Chinese visa.
G: China visa types also make provision for a special category G document that is required as an equivalent of the more general transit visa for travelling through the country to another.
D: Foreigners travelling to China with the desire to reside there permanently would need a type D visa for that purpose.
J: China visa categories for foreign journalists cater to journalistic purposes either on a short-term or a long-term basis. While resident foreign journalists engaged in the China office of an overseas news agency are issued a J1 visa, similar journalistic ventures of less than 180 days are permitted under the J2 subcategory.
Z: China’s equivalent of a work permit is its Z visa category that allows travel to the country for a wide range of professional purposes.
C: China visa types explained would also need mention of the C type catering to foreigners who work as crew members on board an international transport vehicle.
Conclusion
The type of China visa you need would thus depend on the purpose of that visit which therefore needs to be predetermined. A valid travel insurance policy is another prerequisite to cover yourself against unforeseen events.
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