(J2) Foreign journalist visiting China for short-term news coverage
(1) Passport
Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and with two blank adjacent pages for the visa, a photocopy of the passport's data page and of the photo page if it is separate from the data page.
(2) Visa Application Form and Photo
One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken colour passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background (size: 48mm x 33mm) attached(Photo Requirements).
Please remember to bring the completed form with signature to the Visa Centre to submit your application.
(3) Proof of legal status (applicable for those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
If you are not applying for a visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates of residence or valid Italian identity card, or other valid certificates of legal stay provided by the relevant authorities of the country where the Visa Centre is located.(European Union citizens must provide a valid certificate stating the residence in Italy or a valid Italian ID card, non EU citizens must provide a permit of stay “permesso di soggiorno” with at least six months of remaining validity).
(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship).
If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide the last Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.
If you have obtained Chinese visas before and apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separated from the data page, as well as the previous Chinese visa page (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document stating the name change).
1. A Non Chinese journalist that have already obtained the authorization issued by the relevant journalist administration authority in China must provide the obtained authorization.
2. A journalist visiting China following an Head of State or Prime Minister visit, must provide the note verbale issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other relevant authorities.
3. Journalist not included in the abovementioned cases must contact the Press Office of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General or the relevant press authorities in China to obtain the proper authorizations.
1. Invitation letters for L, M or F visa must carry all the following information:
a) Information about the applicant: name and surname, gender, date of birth , nationality and passport number.
b) Information about the planned visit(s): purpose of the visit(s), planned arrival and return date, place(s) to be visited in China ( in case of L visa a detailed itinerary with hotel details is also needed ), relationship between the inviter and the invited person, information about who is going to carry the costs of the trip to china.
c) Information about the inviter: name and surname/ company name, telephone number, address, company seal, signature of the legal representative or of the individual.
2. Invitation letter for Q1,Q2, S1, S2 visa must carry all the following information:
a) Information about the applicant: name and surname, gender, date of birth, nationality and passport number.
b) Information about the planned visit(s): purpose of the visit(s), planned arrival and return date, place(s) to be visited in China, relationship between the inviter and the invited person, information about who is going to carry the costs of the trip to china.
c) Information about the inviter: full name and surname, telephone number, address, signature.
3. The invitation letter, if not required specifically, may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter. An issuer of invitation letter who is an individual in China should also provide a photocopy of his/her Chinese ID.
4.If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof, documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.
5. The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.