In light of changes of the global pandemic landscape, to further facilitate necessary cross-border travels, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will adjust the visa policy for foreign nationals travelling to China starting from today as follows:
1. Scope of Service
(1) Foreign nationals and accompanying family members who will engage in diplomatic, official activities in China or meet the conditions of courtesy visa.
(2) Foreign nationals and accompanying family members going to China for business reopening in all fields.
(3) Foreign nationals going to China for essential economy, trade, education, technology, sports, culture visits.
(4) The family members （spouses, parents, spouse’s parents, children, spouses of children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren）of Chinese citizens and foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permit for family reunion or visiting relatives.
(5) Foreign crew members of aircraft and ships engaged in cross-border transport activities.
(6) Foreign nationals going to China for humanitarian reasons, such as attending a funeral and visiting family members with critical disease.
(7) Foreign nationals (including accompanying spouse and children under the age of 18) who qualifies for a high-level talent (R) visa.
(8) Other foreign nationals with express permission of the relevant Chinese authorities.
Note: Visa applications for tourism, medical treatment and other private purposes are temporarily suspended.
2. Application Procedure
(1)Visa applicants are required to log on http://cova.mfa.gov.cn and fill in the visa application form online. After completing the form online, you may enter the visa appointment interface by clicking the button of "Start to book appointment", or log on http://avas.mfa.gov.cn, enter your contact information and Application ID to make an appointment for visa application. Applicants are required to submit passports and other required documents to the Chinese Embassy with the printed complete application form and signed Confirmation of Online Visa Application as per scheduled appointment.
(2) The diplomatic and special passport holders as well as those who apply for diplomatic or official visas do not need to make an appointment. However, applicants are required to fill in and print the complete online application form pursuant to the above-mentioned requirements. Applicants may directly submit the application to the Chinese Embassy.
3. Relevant Instructions
(1) Please prepare the following materials before application:
- Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China.
- Confirmation of Online Visa Application.
- Original passport valid for at least 6 months, with 2 or more blank visa pages, and the photocopy of relevant pages of the passport.
- Old passports within 5 years and the photocopy of relevant pages of the passports.
- COVID-19 vaccination Certificate.
- Recently-taken color passport photos (full face, front view and bare head. Size: 48mm×33mm).
- Other necessary materials required by the Chinese Embassy and the Visa Center.
(2) Foreign nationals should be vaccinated before entering China, with COVID-19 vaccines should be approved for emergency use or licensed for use by China or WHO.
(3) Foreign nationals going to China for employment should provide the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People's Republic of China. The official Invitation letter is no longer needed.
(4) Foreign nationals going to China for essential economy, trade, education, technology, sports, culture visits should provide required documents on regular request.(http://sa.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/201309/t20130908_1667513.htm)
(5) The accompanying family members of foreign nationals going to China for business reopening can apply the visiting visa with the kinship certificate. The official Invitation letter for the accompanying family members is no longer needed.
(6) The family members of Chinese citizens or foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permit for family reunion or visiting relatives, should provide the proof of family relationship (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship etc.).