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Updated April 2024
After the Chinese government loosened quarantine and other safety restrictions, many people around the world are excited about the opportunity to visit China for leisure and other purposes. If you’re a Pakistani citizen planning to travel to China, it’s essential to understand the China visa requirements for Pakistani travelers.
Understanding the visa application process is crucial for Pakistani travelers considering a trip to China. In this guide, Wego provides comprehensive details on the visa requirements for traveling to China.
Table of Contents
China visa news
China has announced the resumption of visa issuance for all types of visas for international travelers, including those from Pakistan. This includes tourism visas, port visas, and multiple visa-exemption policies.
The revised visa policy includes the following adjustments:
- valid multi-year multiple entry visas issued before 28 March 2020 by the Chinese visa authorities abroad shall resume function
- foreigners may apply for all types of visas (including those for tourism and medical treatment)
- port visas shall once again be issued in line with the relevant laws and regulations
- the visa-exemption policy for Hainan, the visa-exemption cruise policy for Shanghai, the visa-exemption policy for foreigners to visit Guangdong from Hong Kong and Macao, and the visa-exemption policy for ASEAN tour groups to Guilin and Guangxi shall resume operation
Furthermore, China has also offered visa-free travel to 54 countries, including the UAE and Qatar. However, Pakistan is not included in the list.
Book cheap flights to China
Available China visa for Pakistanis
The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad has updated the latest policy for visa applications from Pakistan. Currently, Pakistanis are able to apply for the following types of China visas:
C visa (crew members)
The C visa to China is issued to crew members of international aircraft and ships who are performing crew, aviation, or shipping duties and their accompanying family members.
Documents required
- letter of guarantee issued by the foreign airline or shipping company or an invitation letter issued by the relevant enterprise/institution/department in China
D visa (permanent residence)
The D visa to China is a visa issued for entry into China for permanent residence.
Documents required
- original and copy of the permanent residence status confirmation form issued by the Chinese public security authorities for foreigners
F visa (exchanges, visits, study tours)
The F visa to China is a visa issued for the purpose of entry into China for exchanges, visits, and study tours
Documents required
- letter of invitation issued by the relevant department or individual in China
- supporting letter from the organization/institution which the applicant serves in
- personal/company bank statement, which consists of financial records for the last six months
- a local police character/clearance certificate (PCC) attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan for the first time visit to China within the last five years
- roundtrip flight tickets and hotel booking (for a first-time visit to China)
For the invitation letter or verification letter of invitation, there are certain circumstances in which one might be exempted. However, they still need to submit the other required documents.
J1 visa (foreign resident journalists of Chinese news organizations)
The J1 visa to China is a visa issued to foreign resident journalists of Chinese news organizations staying in China for more than 180 days.
Documents required
- Applicants should contact the Political Section of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General for detailed requirements.
J2 visa (foreign journalists)
The J2 visa to China is a short-term entry visa issued to foreign journalists entering China for news coverage for not more than 180 days.
Documents required
- applicants should contact the political section of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General for detailed requirements
L visa (tourism)
The L visa to China is a tourist visa issued to visitors entering China for tourism purposes.
Requirements
- for tourism purposes, Pakistani nationals are required to join a tourist group (minimum 6 people) whose itinerary is arranged by an authorized Chinese travel agency with an invitation letter
M visa (business and trade)
The M visa to China is issued to visitors entering China for the purpose of business and trade activities.
Documents required
- letter of invitation issued by the relevant department or individual in China
- supporting letter from the organization/institution which the applicant serves in
- applicants’ tax payment certificate for the last three years (photocopy)
- registration of the organization which the applicant serves in (photocopy)
- personal/company bank statement, which consists of financial records for the last six months
- a local police character/clearance certificate (PCC) attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan
- roundtrip flight tickets and hotel booking (for a first-time visit to China)
For the invitation letter or verification letter of invitation, there are certain circumstances in which one might be exempted. However, they still need to submit the other required documents.
Q1 visa (family reunification)
The Q1 visa to China is issued to family members of Chinese citizens, family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who apply for residency in China for family reunification, and those who apply for entry and residence due to foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Please note that the family members include spouses, parents, parents of spouses, offspring, spouse of offspring, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.
Documents required
- letter of invitation issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign with a Chinese permanent residence permit who currently lives in China
- a copy of the Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit
- original and a photocopy of a certification document that proves the familial relationship between applicants and the inviting individual, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certification of kinship issued by the Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship (the photocopy should be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan)
Q2 visa (short-term family visit for Chinese citizens and residents)
The Q2 visa to China is a short-term entry visa (not exceeding 180 days) to visit relatives of Chinese citizens residing in China and relatives of foreign nationals with permanent residence status in China.
Documents required
- letter of invitation issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign with a Chinese permanent residence permit who currently lives in China
- a copy of the Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit
- original and a photocopy of a certification document that proves the familial relationship between applicants and the inviting individual, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certification of kinship issued by the Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship (the photocopy should be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan)
R visa (talents and professionals)
The R visa to China is issued to foreign high-level talents and professionals in urgent need of a visa.
Documents required
- confirmation letter for high-level foreign talents
S1 visa (long-term family visit for foreigners working or studying in China)
The S1 visa to China is a long-term entry visa (exceeding 180 days) to visit the spouse, parents, children under 18 years of age, and parents of the spouse of a foreigner staying in China for work or study.
Documents required
- letter of invitation from a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies
- a copy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit
- original and a photocopy of a certification document that proves the immediate familial relationship between applicants and the inviting individual, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certification of kinship issued by the Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship (the photocopy should be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan)
- documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs as required by the consular officer (for private affairs)
- for medical treatment purposes, the following documents must also be submitted:
- letter of invitation or certificate of hospitalization
- a bank statement with a closing balance of no less than USD 10,000
- original and photocopy of the family relationship certificate and patient accompanying admission issued by the Chinese hospital (for accompanying family members)
S2 visa (short-term family visit for foreigners working or studying in China)
The S2 visa to China is a short-term entry visa (not exceeding 180 days) issued to visit family members, including spouse, parents, parents of spouse, offspring, spouse of offspring, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, grandchildren of foreigners staying in China for work, study and more.
Documents required
- letter of invitation from a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies
- a copy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit
- original and a photocopy of a certification document that proves the familial relationship between applicants and the inviting individual, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certification of kinship issued by the Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship (the photocopy should be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan)
- documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs as required by the consular officer (for private affairs)
- For medical treatment purposes, the following documents must also be submitted:
- letter of invitation or certificate of hospitalization
- a bank statement with a closing balance of no less than USD 10,000
- original and photocopy of the family relationship certificate and patient accompanying admission issued by the Chinese hospital (for accompanying family members)
X1 visa (long-term study)
The X1 visa to China is a long-term study visa issued for applicants wishing to stay in China for more than 180 days.
Documents required
- original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202)
- original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China
- Mark sheet/diploma (original and photocopy; photocopy should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan)
Please note that expired residence permit holders who want to go back to the same Chinese school should also provide the original and photocopy of the study certificate issued by the same school.
X2 visa (short-term study)
The X2 visa to China is a short-term study visa issued to applicants who stay in China for a period of not more than 180 days.
Documents required
- original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202)
- original and photocopy of the admission letter issued by a school or other entities in China
- Mark sheet/diploma (original and photocopy; photocopy should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan)
Please note that expired residence permit holders who want to go back to the same Chinese school should also provide the original and photocopy of the study certificate issued by the same school.
Z visa (work)
The Z visa to China is a work visa issued to applicants who enter China for work purposes.
Documents required
Applicants applying for the Z visa to China are required to provide any one of the following documents:
- foreigners Employment Permit of the People’s Republic of China (for those whose work period is no more than 90 days)
- permit for Foreign Experts Working in China or Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in the P.R. China (work for more than 90 days)
- registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of Enterprises of Foreign Countries (regions)
- an approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs
- invitation letter to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China
Basic documents
Other than the listed documents above, all China visa applicants must also provide the following documents:
- a passport valid for six months and a copy of the passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate.
- printed visa application form and a recent color passport photo. You can fill in the online visa application form through the online portal.
- a copy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (for those who were Chinese citizens obtaining foreign citizenship)
- proof of legal stay or residence status (for those not applying for the visa from their home country)
How to apply for a China visa from Pakistan?
To apply for a China visa from Pakistan, you can follow the Chinese Embassy’s instructions as outlined below:
- visit the China Online Visa Application Platform
- fill out the online visa application form
- print the completed visa application form
- make an appointment to submit your application at Gerry’s visa centre (you can call the helplines at 051-8439385 or 051-8439354)
- on the appointment day, go to the visa centre and bring the online application form, a copy of the Confirmation of Online Visa Application, and a copy of the Online Appointment Confirmation
- get a queue number and wait for your turn
- submit your application at the counter
- make payment at the cashier counter
- receive a pick-up form that contains the details for collecting your visa
Generally, the visa processing time takes 4 days after the embassy accepts the required documents. It is worth noting that diplomatic and official passport holders, as well as those who are applying for an R visa, are exempted from making an appointment at Gerry’s visa centre.
China visa exemption
There are certain categories of Pakistani citizens who are exempt from applying for a visa to China. These include:
- foreigners subject to various types of mutual visa exemption agreements;
- foreigners with valid Chinese permanent residence documents;
- foreigners with multiple types of valid residence permits;
- foreigners with valid APEC business travel cards (except soft cards)
- foreigners eligible for 24-hour transit visa-free
In addition, Pakistani citizens who hold diplomatic or official passports do not require visas to enter mainland China or Hong Kong SAR. They are permitted to stay in mainland China for a maximum of 30 days and in Hong Kong SAR for a maximum of 30 days. Diplomatic passport holders from Pakistan can also enter Macao SAR of China without a visa and stay there for up to 14 days.
