(J2) Foreign journalist visiting China for short-term news coverage

1. Basic Documents

(1) Passport

Original foreign passport recognized by China with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate. （If you have dual or multiple citizenship, you must provide all your original and photocopy ofthe passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate）

(2) Visa Application Form and Photo

One clearly and accurately completed Visa Application Form with the signature of the applicant (or the guardian), and a recently-taken color passport color photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background of the size of 48mm×33mm. Photo requirements

Please complete and sign it.

(3) Proof of legal entry or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)

If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates of entry, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of the country or region where you are currently staying. You must also submit a photocopy of the latest visa/immigration entry stamp on your passport.

(4) If you used to be a Chinese citizen but now have obtained foreign citizenship: If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.

If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to 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 separate, 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 of name change.)

Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.

Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete the required formalities.

3. Special Reminder

(1) The invitation letter 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..

(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

(3) 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.

(4) For further details, please visit the web-site of the relevant Chinese Embassy or Consulate General.