"F" Visa is issued to an alien who is invited to China for a visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internship for a period of no more than six months.
 
Requirements
1.Your valid & actual passport which must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it.
2.One completed Visa Application Form (Q1) with one passport photo (black & white or color is acceptable).
3.An invitation letter from the host company or unit in China, or a letter from your company.
4.An applicant who was born in China is required to submit his/her Chinese passport or last foreign passport with a Chinese visa when he or she applies for a Chinese visa with a new foreign passport.
· You may apply for a Single Entry, Double Entry or Multiple Entry "F" Visa as needed.
· You may apply for a Multiple Entry "F" Visa valid for 24 months, if
(1) you submit documents which certify you have made an investment in China, or have established a collaboration with a Chinese company, e.g. business license, contracts, a letter of appointment, etc.; or
(2) you have visited China at least twice with the "F" visa within the past 12 months , or have been issued a multi-entry "F" visa, and shall submit a copy of the visa(s); or
(3) you are a foreign Chinese.
 
How to apply
1. You must come to the visa office of the Embassy or Consulate -General in the consular jurisdiction in which you live to submit the application; or
2. If you cannot come personally, you may entrust someone else or a travel/visa agent to come to the visa office of the Embassy or Consulate -General in the consular jurisdiction in which you live for the application process.
· Mailed applications are not acceptable and will be refused. Mail back service is available(make sure you read INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION MAIL SERVICE) .
· No appointment is required.
· If the visa application form is not filled out completely, correctly and legibly, this can cause a delay in processing or the denial of visa.
Visa fee and processing time
 
Number of Entry American Citizens of other countries   
Single Entry  $50 $30   
Double Entry  $75 $45   
Multiple Entry for 6 Months  $100 $60   
Multiple Entry for 12 Months $150 $90   
Multiple Entry for 24 Months $150 $90 
· The regular processing time is 4 working days. For express service, additional fees of $30 for 1 working day processing (applications presented before 11:30 am may be picked up between 2:30 pm-3:00 pm on the same day), or $20 for 2-3 working days processing will be charged.
· Please pay by Visa, MasterCard, Money Order, Cashier's Check, Company Check or Cash. Personal checks are not acceptable. Please make the check or money order payable to the Chinese Embassy.

Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
Usually, the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry "F" visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. The duration of stay of a "F" visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. The visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay in China for more than 30 days.
 
Additional Information
Any person suffering from mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China.