1. Visa application

To obtain a Chinese visa, a foreign national should apply with a Chinese embassy, consulate or border-crossing visa office. Applicants must submit an application form, his or her passport or alternative identification documents for international travel, photos conforming to regulations, and relevant documents stating the reason for application.

2. Visa extension

A foreign visitor in China holding a valid visa and wishing to extend his or her stay in China to finish business or for any other proper reasons after expiry of the staying duration stated on their current visa, may apply for a visa extension, provided the visa type need not be changed, by submitting the following documents:

1) Originals and photocopies of a valid passport or other international travel documents and current Chinese visa

2) A completed Foreigner Visa Application Form

3) A visa photo conforming to the Guangzhou photo regulations for the visas of foreign nationals, and the 'photo eligibility detection return receipt'.

4) A valid Foreigner Accommodation Registration Form issued in Guangzhou

5) Supporting documents concerning the reason for the visa extension

A visa can be extended multiple times, but the cumulative extended duration of an individual's stay cannot exceed the stay duration stated on the original visa.

3. Visa substitution

A foreign visitor in China with a valid visa wishing to change the purpose of his or her stay, or obtain entry privileges, or who has arrived in China under a group visa with a new passport and now wishes to travel independently may apply for a substitute visa with the following documents:

1) Originals and photocopies of a valid passport or other international travel documents and current Chinese visa

2) A completed Foreigner Visa Application Form

3) A visa photo conforming to the Guangzhou photos regulations for the visas of foreign nationals, and the 'photo eligibility detection return receipt'

4) A valid Foreigner Accommodation Registration Form issued in Guangzhou

5) Supporting documents concerning the reason for the visa substitution

The maximum cumulative duration of an individual's stay for a substitute visa is one year beginning from the date of entry of the original visa.

4. Visa Replacement

A foreign national in China whose visa has been lost, damaged or stolen may apply for a replacement visa with the following documents. The replacement visa will be of the same type, and have the same validity and duration of stay as the original visa. For multiple-entry visas, the number of used entries will be deducted in the substitute visa.

Required documents:

1) Originals and photocopies of valid passport or other international travel documents and current Chinese visa

2) A completed Foreigner Visa Application Form

3) A visa photo conforming to the Guangzhou photos regulations for the visas of foreign nationals, and the 'photo eligibility detection return receipt'

4) A valid Foreigner Accommodation Registration Form issued in Guangzhou

5) Supporting documents concerning the reason for the visa replacement

If the original visa has been lost or stolen, the applicant should submit documentary proof of his or her reporting of loss or theft of the passport, or a note from the embassy of his or her country in China with his or her new passport or other international travel documents.

If the original visa has been damaged, the applicant should show the damaged visa and provide a note from the embassy of his or her country in China with his or her new passport or other international travel documents.

If a group visa has been lost, stolen or damaged, the applicant should submit a certificate issued by the local travel agency, as well as a photocopy of the original group visa.