Starting from 15 March, 2023, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will make adjustments on visa application requirements to China as follows:
1. application procedures
1.1 Visa applications except for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visas
a. Fill out the visa application form online (https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn), print out the confirmation page and full form(8 pages in total), and sign the confirmation page and item 9 of the form.
b. Make an appointment online (https://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn) and print out the visa appointment confirmation form.
c. Submit the application in person with materials (Please see Part 2 for material requirements)at the Chinese Embassyin the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the appointment time and retain ten fingerprints.
*The following applicants can be exempt from fingerprint collection: Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70; Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy visas; Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past five years at the Chinese Embassy in in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the same passport; Applicants with all fingers non-collectable.
1.2 Applications for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visas
Please fill out the visa application form online (https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn, no online appointment is required), print out the confirmation page and full form (8 pages in total), sign the confirmation page and item 9 of the form, and submit the visa application ,passport, official note and other documents to the Consular Office of the Embassy.
2. Material Requirements except for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visas
2.1 Passport: Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page .
2.2 Visa Application Form and Photo :One Visa Application Form completed online ( please print-out of the full form, 8 pages in total) ,1 recent 1-inch or 2-inch photo with white background, visa appointment confirmation form.
2.3 Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to non-Saudi national applicants): provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of Saudi Arabia.
2.4 Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens 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 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.)
2.5 In addition to the documents above, the following documents must be submitted:
Visa Categories | Description of Visa | Supporting Documents |
C | Issued to foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the Accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships. | A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transportation company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant unit in China. |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. | The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China. |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities. | An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. |
G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region. |
J1 | Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works. |
J2 | Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. | 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. |
L | Issued to tourists who intend to go to China | Itinerary materials such as round-trip air ticket orders and hotel orders, or invitation letters issued by units or individuals in China. |
M | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. | Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual. |
Q1 | Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. (2) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit. (3) Original and a photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. |
Q2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. | (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. (2) A photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual. |
R | Issued to those who are high- level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China. | The applicant should submit relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations, and meet the relevant requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high- level talents and individualnel with special skills urgently needed by China, |
S1 | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. | (1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) (2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and residence permit (3)Original and a photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual. "Immediate family members " refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law. |
S2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | For visiting family members for a short period, the following documents are required: (1)An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) (2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or lives in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit (3) A photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer. |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. | (1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China. (2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202). |
X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. | Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China. |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China. | “Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit” or the original “Foreigner's Work Permit” |
2.6 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.
The invitation letter should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)
(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) If the material is in Arabic only, it must first be translated into Chinese or English by a qualified translator (e.g. court interpreter) or agency.
(4) 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.
3. Charging Standards and Payment Methods (Unit: Saudi Riyal)
Times | Saudi Arabia | United States | Romania | Other countries | Panama | Brazil | Argentina | Canada | Pakistan |
Single Entry | 290 | 694 | 280 | 150 | 225 | 513 | 560 | 300 | 0 |
Double entry | 440 | 694 | 375 | 220 | 225 | 513 | 560 | 300 | 0 |
multiple entry in Three-month or six-month | 580 | 694 | 560 | 290 | 225 | 513 | 560 | 300 | 0 |
One year multiple entries | 870 | 694 | 560 | 440 | 225 | 513 | 560 | 300 | 0 |
Note: Rush service fee 90/person.
Payment method: Please transfer through the bank counter or online, and please note the applicant's name when transferring. The embassy account information is as follows:
Bank name: SNB (Saudi National Bank)
Account name: Embassy of the P.R. of China
Account number: 51300000497503
IBANK CODE: SA1810000051300000497503
- Persons who do not need to apply for a visa
(1) Foreigners who are applicable to various mutual visa exemption agreements
(2) Foreigners holding valid Chinese permanent residence permits
(3) Foreigners holding various types of valid residence permits
(4) Foreigners holding a valid APEC business travel card (the virtual card will resume its entry function from May 1, 2023)
Note: For the application of the transit visa-free policy, please consult the border inspection agency at the place of entry.
the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
March 14, 2023