中国法律法规规定，除享受免签政策外，外国人在入境中国之前都应当申请并获得相应的签证。
Based on Chinese laws and regulations, foreign citizens should have applied for and obtained appropriate visas before entering China unless they are visa-exempt according to certain agreements and regulations.
随着疫情态势有所好转，6月起来华政策也逐渐放宽，部分国家入境中国已经明确申请工签和探亲签不再需要PU邀请函，相信在不久的将来，中国会对越来越多的国家开放入境。
With the easing of the epidemic, the policy on entering China has been gradually relaxed since June, and China has made it clear that people from some countries no longer need PU invitation letters to apply for work visas and family visit visas. It is highly believed that in the near future, China will cancel the PU letter for more countries.
(长期探亲签证 Long-term Family Visit Visa(S1))
However, do you know which Chinese visa you should apply for?
Today, I will talk about some types of Chinese visa! Let’s check it out!
中国签证分为外交签证(W)、礼遇签证(U)、公务签证(Y)和普通签证。一般来说，我们很少会需要或者说有资格去申请前三类签证，所以我们就最后一类——普通签证来展开说说。普通签证一共分16种，分别用汉语拼音字母和阿拉伯数字标识以作区分。
Chinese visas fall into the types of diplomatic visas(W), courtesy visas(U), public service visas(Y) and ordinary visas. Generally speaking, we rarely need or are eligible to apply for the first three types, so I will just start with the last type - ordinary visas. There are 16 types of ordinary visas, which are marked with Chinese pinyin letters and Arabic numerals to distinguish them.
Ordinary visas can be classified as follow：
注意！持D字、J1字、Q1字、S1字、X1字、Z字签证的入境人员必须在入境后30日内向当地公安机关申请居留许可，且在华停留（居留）期间，不得从事与其停留（居留）目的不符的活动，并应当在居留期满前离开中国。
Holder of D visa, J1 visa, Q1 visa, S1 visa, X1 visa, Z visa must apply for residence permits with local public security authorities within 30 days of entry.
Foreigners who stay or reside in China shall not engage in activities inconsistent with the purposes of their stay or residence, and shall leave China before the expiry of the prescribed duration of stay or residence.
（工作类居留许可 Residence Permit for Work)
中国签证机关会根据申请人的入境目的和身份，决定发给何种签证，所以建议来华前要先明确来华目的并了解清楚中国的签证种类。另外，来华前也要提前安排好行程以及申请签证的时间，确保在华期间签证不会过期。
Since that the Chinese authority will decide which visa to issue based on the applicant's purpose for entry and qualifications, HACOS suggests that foreigners who plan to come to China should first make clear of their purpose and understand the types of Chinese visas. It is also significant for foreigners to schedule their trip to China and arrange the proper time for visa application in advance to make sure that their Chinese visas are valid while in China.
通常情况下，四到五个工作日内即可办妥签证，但若有特殊情况下，签证审批时间也会被延长，所以最好是在拟入境日期前一个月左右递交签证申请。
Usually, the visa will be processed within four to five working days, but in special circumstances, the visa approval time may be extended, so it is better for you to submit the application about one month before the scheduled entry date.
For other precautions related to entry and exit, you may view previous articles:
People Who are Forbidden to Enter or Leave China
Update! No PU letter required for M Visa!
瀚客在申请来华签证方面有着丰富经验，如有疑问，欢迎咨询！
HACOS has rich experience in helping foreigners apply for Chinese visas successfully. If you have any questions about Chinese visa, welcome to consult us!
HACOS provides free consulting services for exit and entry and Chinese visa.
If you want to know more about coming to China or doing business here, please contact us!
HACOS瀚客企服