1. Application Procedures
1.1 Online Application
Fill out the Visa Application Form online https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/, print out the full form (double-sided printing recommended), and sign on item 9 of the form.
Please pay attention to your application status in the system. When the system shows "Please submit passport", contact the embassy in advance and submit your application with the completed visa application form and other required application materials. For the Embassy’s address, office hours and contact information, please click here.
1.2 Application Submission
Submit the application in person to the Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda and have all ten fingerprints collected there.
*The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprint collection (and they can authorize other persons to submit visa applications on their behalf):
(1) Applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 70;
(2) Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for diplomatic, service or courtesy visas;
(3) Applicants who have applied for visas at the same Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center with the same passport, with fingerprints already collected, within the past five years;
(4) Applicants with all ten fingers amputated or the fingerprint of none of whose ten fingers can be collected;
(5) Applicants for single- or double-entry visas (within 180 days of stay) are exempted from fingerprint collection before and on December 31, 2025, according to the announcement of the Chinese Government.
1.3 Application Submission (Mailing Service)
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements for mailing service can submit the application files by post. Please confirm with the embassy by email (saint-johns@csm.mfa.gov.cn) before mailing the application files.
Notes:
(1) It generally requires one week for review and issue the visa after the package arrives at the Embassy.
(2) Depending on the circumstances, the Embassy may require the applicant to come to the Embassy for an interview.
(3) The Embassy cannot guarantee that all applications will be approved; if an application is rejected, the associated mailing fees will remain the responsibility of the applicant.;
(4) Please retain the tracking number for your package to monitor its status. In the event of any delivery delays or if the package is lost or damaged during transit, please contact the shipping company (e.g., DHL, FedEx) directly, as the Embassy will not be held responsible for these issues.
(5) If the package is to be returned to the applicant by post, please include a completed and prepaid return air waybill within the package. If the applicant entrust someone else to come to the embassy to collect the certificate, the entrustee should submit copies of the identity certificates for both the applicant and themselves, as well as the applicant's letter of authorization.
2. Documents Required
2.1 Passport:
The original of a passport with over 6 months’ validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the information page of the passport. Applicants with multiple nationalities are required to submit the original passports and photocopies of the information pages for all their nationalities.
2.2 Visa Application Form and Photo:
A printed copy of the Visa Application Form completed online, and a paper photo that is the same as the one uploaded in the application form
2.3 Proof of legal stay or residence status:
Applicable to those not applying for visas in their country of citizenship.
2.4 Previous Chinese passport (applicable to foreign citizens who used to be Chinese citizens) or previous Chinese visas:
(1) If a foreign citizen who used to be a Chinese citizen is applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, the original of the previous Chinese passport and a photocopy of its information page should be submitted.
(2) If a foreign citizen who was issued a Chinese visa before is applying for a Chinese visa with a different foreign passport, a photocopy of the information page of the previous passport and a photocopy of the previous Chinese visa should be submitted.
(3) If the name on the current foreign passport differs from that on the previous Chinese passport or the previous Chinese visa, an official document issued by competent authorities on the name change should be submitted.
2.5 Other documents required for different visa types are listed as follows:
Visa Type | Purpose | Required Documents |
L | Tourist | Itinerary documents including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by an entity or individual in China |
M | Business and trade | An invitation letter issued by a trading partner in China |
F | Non-commercial activities such as exchanges, visits, and study tours | An invitation letter issued by the relevant entity or individual in China |
Z | Work | The original of the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners or the Work Permit for Foreigners |
X1 | Long-term study (for more than 180 days) | (1) A photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202) and the original or a photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by the school in China (2) The original or a photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Elementary-Stage Foreign Students to Study in China, if the applicant is a foreign student of the primary/elementary or junior/senior high school level |
X2 | Short-term study (for no more than 180 days) | The original or a photocopy of the Admission Notice issued by the receiving institution in China |
Q1 | Family reunion (for more than 180 days) for family members of Chinese citizens, or family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent resident status , and for those who intend to enter and stay in China for the purpose of foster care
“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, and granddaughters. | (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent resident status residing in China (2) A photocopy of the inviter’s Chinese ID card or foreign passport and the permanent resident ID card (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter
|
Q2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180 days) to a relative who is a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with Chinese permanent resident status residing in China | (1) An invitation letter issued by the Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent resident status residing in China (2) A photocopy of the Chinese ID card or the foreign passport and the permanent resident ID card of the inviter |
S1 | Long-term family visit (for more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a spouse, parent, son or daughter under the age of 18, or parent-in-law, or long-term stay in China for other private affairs | (1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing in China) (2) A photocopy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter
|
S2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a family member, or short-term stay in China for other private affairs
“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, and granddaughters. | For family visits: (1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing in China) (2) A photocopy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter For other private affairs: relevant documents as required |
R | High-level foreign talents or foreigners whose skills are urgently needed in China. | Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talents |
C | Foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships. | Guarantee Letter from the foreign transport company or an invitation letter from a relevant entity in China |
D | Applicants who intend to reside in China permanently | Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s Permanent Resident Status |
G | Applicants who intend to transit through China | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date to the destination country or region |
J1 | Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China |
J2 | Foreign journalists who intend to enter China for short-term news coverage | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized entities in China |
Group L | Group tourists | Invitation Letter for Tourist Group issued by the authorized Tourism Unit |
3. Special Reminders
3.1 On filling in the form online:
Please read the system prompts carefully and fill in the form in a truthful, complete, and accurate manner, and upload the the photo of the applicant in line with the standards. If such information as the name, gender, date of birth, passport number, passport issuance country, etc. is incorrect, or the photo is of someone else, or the key information in the application form is intentionally concealed or falsely stated, the application will be rejected or returned, and the applicant will need to submit a new application form online.
3.2 On the invitation letter:
The invitation letter can be a fax, photocopy, or printout, unless otherwise specified. The invitation letter should contain:
(1) Information on the applicant: name, gender, date of birth, and nationality, etc.
(2) Information on the visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit, relations between the applicant and the inviter entity or individual, and financial sources for expenditures in China, etc.
(3) Information on the inviter entity or individual: name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, nationality and signature of the inviter individual or of the legal representative of the inviter entity, etc.
3.3 On the interview and supplementary materials:
If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant on a case-by-case basis.
3.4 On the Visa:
The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.