Do I Need A Visa To Attend Meeting In China (2024)

If your primary purpose is business, trade affairs, or commercial discussions, you must apply for a business visa to China. However, you can tour the country with a business visa and do not need a separate Chinese tourist visa to see China’s cultural heritage. Indian citizens also need a visa to enter China, but online applications are not available.

Eligibility for a China visa requires a valid passport valid for at least six months starting from the date of application and containing at least two blank pages. The holder of a visa is eligible to enter China at any time prior to the expiry of visa validity. Some foreigners may not need a visa if they enjoy visa exemption or visa-free transit policies.

For conferences, a Tourist Visa (L Visa) suffices, but a Business Visa (F Visa) is recommended for those planning to attend an academic conference in China. The Chinese Embassy or Consulate issues a visa within 4 to 5 working days. Most foreign nationals working in China must obtain a Z Visa, Work Permit Card, and Residence Permit when working in China. Travelers from over 160 countries require a Tourist Visa to visit China.

Business visas are for academic exchange, including conducting research, attending conferences, and university collaboration. Obtaining a visa on arrival is not guaranteed, and purposes such as attending events or meetings would likely not be accepted. To submit an application for a visa to China, you need to fill the Application Form through the online system and make an appointment for a visa interview.

Do I need a visa for a business trip to China?

China “M” business visas are issued for the purpose of engaging in commercial and trade activities, and are typically valid for a period of three months. It is possible for United States citizens to be granted a visa that permits multiple entries over a period of ten years. In order to apply, applicants are required to provide a signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page, which must be valid for a period of six months beyond the requested visa length and must contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp. It should be noted that amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.

Do tourists need a visa for China?

It is typical for foreign citizens to require a visa in order to visit the mainland of China, unless they are exempt from this requirement due to the terms of a visa-exemption agreement or other applicable regulations. The procedure for applying for a visa can be found in the section entitled “Guidance on Chinese Visas.” The process entails the submission of a visa application form, which can be accessed on the Chinese government’s website, along with the requisite documentation, including a passport, visa, and a copy of the applicant’s passport.

Do you need a visa to connect through China?

Foreign citizens traveling through mainland China at open ports by plane, ship, or train can stay up to 24 hours in China without a visa. However, a preliminary entry permit application at the Chinese border is required for a visa-free transit. This applies to citizens from 53 countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus, USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, and Qatar.

Which country is visa-free in China?

Countries eligible for visa-free entry include Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, and Japan. China has adopted a 24-hour visa-free transit policy for foreign nationals of multiple countries at all international ports of entry.

If a passenger holds interline tickets with confirmed seats to transit to a third country or region via China, they do not need to apply for a visa if their stay period is less than 24 hours and they do not leave the port of entry.

Can you visit China without a visa?

China has signed agreements with over 150 countries, allowing certain citizens to travel to China without a visa. However, most visa-free arrangements only apply to diplomatic or official passports. Some countries, such as Armenia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, The Maldives, Mauritius, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Suriname, and The United Arab Emirates, allow citizens holding ordinary passports to travel to China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, travel, business, and visiting family or friends.

Do I need a visa to attend a conference in China?

Conference participants, including non-Chinese citizens, except Singapore, Brunei, and Japan, may need a Chinese visa to enter China. They can apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in their region. To avoid uncertainty, it is advised to apply at least one month in advance. Tourist visas are easier for most attendees, and an invitation letter is not required.

Invitation letters will be issued after successful registration, and applicants must list their name exactly as it appears on their passport. Differences between the name on your passport and the invitation letter or other documentation could lead to a delay or denial of your visa. ICCC Conferences and the organizing committees are not authorized to assist with the VISA process beyond providing the Notification of Invitation Letter issued by the conference committee board.

If your application is denied, ICCC Conferences and the organizing committee cannot change the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ decision or engage in discussions or correspondence with the MOFA or the Embassy. The registration fee cannot be refunded when the VISA application is denied.

It takes around one month for the Embassy to process the VISA application, so registration is advised as early as possible.

Can you attend a conference on a tourist visa?

It should be noted that a tourist visa is required for attendance at a conference. However, if the conference is funded by an external source, the process may be more complex.

Is Russia visa-free for Chinese?

Russia is aiming to replicate its successful tourist exchange program with India, which allows visa-free entry for citizens from China and Iran. The program began on August 1, 2023, and has been successful. India may soon be able to travel to Russia without a visa. Both nations are in the final stages of discussions to ease travel restrictions, with consultations to finalize the criteria under a bilateral agreement starting in June.

Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry’s Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects, stated that Russia and India are strengthening their tourism ties as they gear up for the launch of visa-free group tourist exchanges. The first round of consultations is scheduled for June, with the aim of finalizing a bilateral agreement by the end of the year.

Can I get a visa on arrival in China?

Tourists can obtain a Visa on Arrival for up to 30 days in special economic zones like Hainan, requiring a valid invitation letter from a tourist company. This visa allows them to visit various cities and exit from any port open to foreigners. Business Visa on Arrival is offered in areas like Shenzhen and Zhuhai, with a stay period of up to five days. Applicants must provide documentation, such as an invitation letter from the host company, highlighting the purpose of the visit.

Transit Visas on Arrival are available for individuals transitioning through China, benefiting countries like Singapore and Japan when their nationals pass through China. These visas can be as short as three days and often require a confirmed onward ticket.

How do you get a visa to attend a conference?

To obtain a conference visa for India, you must apply through your home country’s embassy or consulate. The application process includes an invitation from the organizers, a visa application form, a valid passport, passport-sized photos, and the required visa fee. It’s advisable to apply well in advance of your travel date, as visa processing times can vary. Check the requirements and procedures with your local embassy or consulate. Register for upcoming international conferences to secure your slot and apply for your visa on time.

Do Russians need a visa to China?

It is a requirement for Russian citizens to obtain a visa prior to visiting China. However, the process of doing so is relatively straightforward when utilising online services such as iVisa. Additionally, they may submit their applications at the nearest Chinese embassy. In order to be eligible for a tourist visa to China, applicants must meet certain requirements, including the possession of a valid passport with at least six months’ remaining validity and a minimum of two blank pages. To ascertain the requisite documentation, one may utilize the Visa Checker Tool or peruse the visa requirements in their entirety.