中国签证类型一览与申请指南
选对签证，比出发更重要。eChinaVisa（echinavisa.com）提供旅游、商务、探亲、学习、工作等签证的一站式代办与材料指导。
以下为常见办理情形与实务经验，最终以中国使领馆与签证中心当期要求及签证页标注为准。
快速对比表（常见签证）
| 签证类别 | 适用对象 | 有效期/入境次数* | 单次停留期（参考） | 是否换居留许可 | 关键材料 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L 旅游 | 旅游/访友 | 多年多次（视护照与记录） | 30–90天/次 | 否 | 护照、照片、行程/酒店或邀请函 |
| M 商务 | 贸易、会务、洽谈 | 多年多次（常见） | 30–60天/次 | 否 | 商务邀请函、在职/派遣、行程 |
| F 访问 | 学术/文化访问（非营利） | 半年内多次（个别更长） | 30–60天/次 | 否 | 主办邀请、活动安排 |
| Q1 团聚 | 与中国公民直系亲属长期同住 | 单次入境入境后换居留 | >180天（居留许可） | 是 | 关系证明、公证/认证、邀请 |
| Q2 探亲 | 短期探望中国公民亲属 | 多年多次（常见） | ≤180天/次 | 否 | 邀请函、关系说明 |
| S1 团聚 | 与在华外籍直系亲属长期同住 | 单次入境入境后换居留 | >180天（居留许可） | 是 | 邀请方居留证明、关系材料 |
| S2 探亲 | 短期探望在华外籍亲属 | 可多年多次（依邀请方证件） | ≤180天/次 | 否 | 邀请函、关系材料、居留证明 |
| X1 学习 | 一学期以上学习 | 单次入境入境后换居留 | >180天（居留许可） | 是 | 录取、JW表、体检（如需） |
| X2 学习 | 一学期及以下学习 | 单次/多次 | ≤180天/次 | 否 | 录取/培训证明 |
| Z 工作 | 在华受雇工作 | 单次入境入境后换居留 | >180天（居留许可） | 是 | 工作许可通知、聘用证明 |
类别详解与办理要点
L 旅游/访友
- 签发特点：部分护照可获多年多次；单次停留常见 30–90 天。
- 常备材料：护照、照片、行程与酒店/机票，或邀请函（附邀请人身份证明）。
- 贴士：行程信息前后一致；访友可附关系说明与联系方式。
M 商务
- 适用于贸易洽谈、签约、展会、项目考察等。
- 关键材料：正式商务邀请函（抬头/盖章）、在职/派遣证明、行程安排。
- 贴士：邀请函需写明目的、停留、费用承担与联系人。
F 访问交流
- 非营利性学术/文化访问、讲学、培训等。
- 关键材料：主办单位邀请与资质、活动日程与费用说明。
- 贴士：与 X/M 类区分性质，避免类别不匹配。
Q1 / Q2（中国公民亲属）
- Q1：入境后换居留许可；适合长期共同生活。
- Q2：短期探亲，单次停留可至 180 天（以签证页为准）。
- 材料：亲属关系证明、公证/认证、邀请人身份证及住址。
S1 / S2（外籍在华人员亲属）
- S1 入境后换居留许可；S2 常见≤180天/次。
- 材料：邀请方护照与在华居留/工作许可复印件、关系证明、邀请函。
- 贴士：确保邀请方证件有效期覆盖来访时间。
X1 / X2（学习）与 Z（工作）
- X1/Z 入境后须换居留许可；X2 短期学习一般 ≤180 天。
- X 类材料：录取通知、JW 表（如需）、体检证明（按要求）。
- Z 类材料：工作许可通知、聘用证明、用人单位资质。
材料清单（标准版）
- 护照原件与复印件（有效期≥6个月、至少2页空白签证页）
- 近6个月白底证件照（建议 2–4 张）
- 签证申请表（中英信息一致）
- 行程/机票与酒店或邀请函；商务/访问需主办或公司材料
- 关系/资格类材料（结婚证、出生证、公证/认证等，按需）
- 学习/工作类：录取通知、JW 表/工作许可通知等
办理流程（邮寄/加急）
- 在线评估：确认类别与材料清单。
- 材料初审：模板套件与一致性检查。
- 递交受理：安排签证中心/使领馆（如需指纹，提供预约指引）。
- 出签返还：快递回寄护照与签证，附入境/居留提醒。
常见问题（FAQ）
美国护照是否常见多年多次？
部分类别（L/M/Q2/S2）在满足条件时常见多年多次；以当期政策与审核为准。
是否必须面签/采指纹？
是否到场与采指纹由受理地与个案决定。我们将提前确认并安排预约。
“单次停留期”与延长如何理解？
单次停留期以签证页或居留许可为准；如需延长，须在到期前按规定申请。
长期居留类（Z/X1/Q1/S1）入境后怎么办？
须在规定期限内向主管机关申请换发居留许可。
* 以上为参考信息，随政策调整；以使领馆与签证中心当期要求为准。
The following reflects common scenarios and practical guidance. Final outcomes depend on current requirements of Chinese embassies/consulates and visa centers, and on your visa label.
Quick Comparison (Common Visas)
| Type | Who it’s for | Validity / Entries* | Stay per Entry | Residence Permit After Entry | Key Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L (Tourist) | Tourism / visiting friends | Multi‑year, multiple (case‑dependent) | 30–90 days | No | Passport, photo, itinerary/hotel or invitation |
| M (Business) | Trade, meetings, negotiations | Often multi‑year, multiple | 30–60 days | No | Business invitation, employment/dispatch letter, itinerary |
| F (Visitor) | Academic/cultural, non‑profit | Multiple within 6 months (some longer) | 30–60 days | No | Host invitation, event schedule |
| Q1 (Family Reunification) | Long‑term with Chinese citizen immediate family | Single entry; convert after arrival | >180 days (permit) | Yes | Relationship proof, notarization/legalization, invitation |
| Q2 (Short Visit) | Short visits to Chinese citizen family | Multi‑year, multiple (often) | ≤180 days | No | Invitation, relationship statement |
| S1 (Reunification) | Long‑term with foreigner legally in China | Single entry; convert after arrival | >180 days (permit) | Yes | Inviter’s residence proof, relationship docs |
| S2 (Short Visit) | Short visits to foreigner in China | Possible multi‑year, multiple | ≤180 days | No | Invitation, relationship docs, residence proof |
| X1 (Study, long) | Study for more than one semester | Single entry; convert after arrival | >180 days (permit) | Yes | Admission, JW forms, medicals (if required) |
| X2 (Study, short) | Study up to one semester | Single/multiple | ≤180 days | No | Admission/training proof |
| Z (Work) | Employment in China | Single entry; convert after arrival | >180 days (permit) | Yes | Work permit notice, job offer |
Key Notes & Tips
L (Tourist)
- Often multi‑entry with 30–90 days per entry.
- Docs: passport, photo, itinerary & hotel/flight, or an invitation.
- Tip: Keep itinerary consistent; add relationship proof when visiting friends.
M (Business)
- For trade, negotiations, fairs, site visits.
- Docs: formal business invitation (on letterhead/seal), employment/dispatch letter, itinerary.
- Tip: Invitation should state purpose, stay, who covers costs, and a contact.
F (Visitor)
- Non‑profit academic/cultural visits, lectures, training.
- Docs: host invitation & qualifications, agenda, cost statement.
- Tip: Make sure the purpose isn’t better suited for X or M.
Q1 / Q2
- Q1 converts to residence permit after entry; Q2 short stays up to 180 days.
- Docs: relationship proofs, notarization/legalization if required, inviter’s ID.
S1 / S2
- S1 converts to residence permit after entry; S2 typically ≤180 days per entry.
- Docs: inviter’s passport & residence/work permit copies, relationship docs, invitation.
X1 / X2 & Z
- X1/Z require residence permit after arrival; X2 short‑term ≤180 days.
- X: admission letter, JW forms, medicals (as required). Z: work permit notice, employer docs.
Document Checklist (Standard)
- Passport (≥6 months validity, ≥2 blank visa pages) & copy
- Recent white‑background photos (2–4 recommended)
- Visa application form (consistent CN/EN data)
- Itinerary/round‑trip tickets & hotel or invitation; business/visitor: host or company docs
- Relationship/eligibility docs (marriage/birth certificates, notarization/legalization when required)
- Study/Work: admission & JW forms / work permit notice, etc.
Process (Mail‑in / Expedited)
- Online assessment: confirm type & checklist.
- Pre‑check: templates + consistency review.
- Submission: embassy/consulate/center; fingerprint appointment if required.
- Issuance & return: courier back your passport & visa with entry/residence tips.
FAQ
Are multi‑year multiple‑entry visas common for US passports?
For some types (L/M/Q2/S2) they are often possible, subject to policy and review.
Will I need an interview or fingerprints?
Depends on jurisdiction and case; we confirm requirements and arrange appointments as needed.
What does “stay per entry” mean? Can I extend in China?
The stay is what your visa label or residence permit specifies. Extensions are subject to local rules and approval before expiry.
For long‑term categories (Z/X1/Q1/S1) what happens after arrival?
You must convert to a residence permit within the required timeframe.
* Information for reference; policies may change. Follow the current requirements of Chinese embassies/consulates and visa centers.