For such a trip, it is worth preparing properly to avoid unpleasant surprises. To this end, you should arrange the necessary documents in advance, such as a visa to China. When is it needed, and how can you obtain one? We explain.
Is a visa required to travel to China?
Since 1 July 2024, Polish citizens who wish to stay in China for no longer than 15 days for tourism or business purposes do not need a visa. This requirement has been abolished until the end of 2025. However, such a document is required if we are travelling to this country for more than 15 days or for a purpose other than tourism or business. A tourist visa to China will be essential if we are planning a longer stay in this country, but also if we do not have a standard passport and only possess a temporary document. In that case, regardless of how long we are travelling to China, we will also have to present a visa.
What types of visas for China are available?
Before submitting the documents necessary to obtain a visa, we should determine which type of visa we need. There is a type L tourist visa for China. It is issued for visiting friends, as well as for sightseeing. It may be single- or double-entry and is valid for 180 days, with a permitted stay of 30 days. If, on the other hand, we are travelling to China for business purposes, we should choose a type M visa, which allows visits to this country in order to attend trade fairs, factory inspections and other business events. The maximum stay under an M visa is 90 days. Scientific visas, or type F visas, are also frequently issued. They allow a maximum stay of 30 days and cover visits to China for scientific purposes, taking courses or attending conferences. Another popular visa is type Z, an employment visa, which is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
How to obtain a visa to China?
To obtain a visa to China, you must complete a special application and have all the documents required for its issuance. These include a passport, which should be valid for at least six months from the planned return date, as well as a photograph. If we want to obtain a business visa, we will also need an invitation from a Chinese company, while in the case of a scientific visa, an invitation from a university in that country will be required. The visa application is available on the website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. Specialist companies can also help us complete such a form. The form must be submitted online on the website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre or in person at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Warsaw.