Visa extensions

Where, after entry with a visa, a foreigner needs to continue to stay after the expiration of time limit of visa or due to non-termination of the original purpose of entry or other purposes without change of the type of visa, the duration of stay may be extended. The requirements for application materials and the duration of stay that need to be extended are as follows:

(1) The applicant holding a C visa shall be required to submit certification letter issued by the competent department of the people’s government at or above the county level or such transportation companies as civil aviation, railways, highways, and ports. The duration of stay can be extended for 30 days at most.

(2) The applicant holding an F visa shall be required to submit certification letter issued by the inviting and receiving entities. The entity not being recorded shall also be required to submit certification for registration. The duration of stay can be extended for 180 days at most.

(3) The applicant holding a G visa shall be required to submit a through ticket (air, road, rail or sea) to another country or region with the date and seat number on it. The duration of stay can be extended for 30 days at most.

(4) The applicant holding a J2 visa shall be required to submit certification letter issued by the foreign affairs office of the people’s government at the provincial level. The duration of stay can be extended for 30 days at most.

(5) The applicant holding an L visa shall be required to submit the travel and itinerary plan and the certification letter issued by the travel agency for a group tour. The duration of stay can be extended for 30 days at most.

(6) The applicant holding an M visa shall be required to submit certification letter issued by the inviting or receiving entities or individual. The entity not being recorded shall also be required to submit certification for registration. Where the partner is an individual, the letter issued shall be signed and the permanent household register certificate in China or a certificate on the actual place of residence shall be submitted. The duration of stay can be extended for 180 days at most.

(7) The applicant holding a Q2 visa shall be required to submit the letter, identity certification, and certification showing the relationships of family members issued by the individual being visited. The duration of stay can be extended for 180 days at most.

(8) The applicant holding an R visa shall be required to submit certification letter issued by the inviting and receiving entities. The entity not being recorded shall also be required to submit certification for registration. The duration of stay can be extended for 180 days at most.

(9) The applicant holding an S2 visa who visits a relative in China shall be required to submit the letter, foreigner residence permit and certification illustrating relationships of the family members issued by the individual being visited. Other persons shall be required to submit the relevant certification documents showing humanitarian reasons. The duration of stay for an applicant who visits a relative in China can be extended for 180 days at most. The duration of stay for other persons can be extended for 90 days at most.

(10) The applicant holding an X2 visa shall be required to submit the studying certificate issued by the educational and training institutions in China. The duration of stay can be extended for 180 days at most. The cumulative extension of duration of stay shall not exceed the duration of stay specified originally in the visa