Chinese visa categories: all 16 types, and the 180-day rule that organises them
Z, X1, M, S2, Q1 — the letters look arbitrary until you see the pattern. Most categories split at 180 days, and which side you fall on decides what you can do here.
Chinese visa letters look arbitrary until you notice the organising principle: many categories exist in pairs, split at 180 days. The “1” version is for stays exceeding 180 days, the “2” version for no more than 180 days.
That threshold decides more than how long you stay. It generally determines whether you get a residence permit, whether you can open a bank account, and what paperwork follows you around.
The paired categories
| Code | Issued to | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| X1 | Study in China | More than 180 days |
| X2 | Study in China | 180 days or less |
| S1 | Visiting a foreigner working or studying in China as their spouse, parent, child under 18 or parent-in-law; or other private affairs | More than 180 days |
| S2 | Visiting family members who are foreigners working or studying in China; or other private matters | 180 days or less |
| Q1 | Family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence, for family reunion; or for foster care | More than 180 days |
| Q2 | Visiting relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China, or foreigners with permanent residence | 180 days or less |
| J1 | Resident foreign journalists of news organisations stationed in China | More than 180 days |
| J2 | Foreign journalists for short-term news coverage | 180 days or less |
The single categories
| Code | Issued to |
|---|---|
| Z | Those who intend to work in China |
| R | High-level talents, or those whose skills are urgently needed in China |
| M | Commercial and trade activities |
| F | Exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities |
| L | Tourism |
| G | Transit through China |
| C | Crew of international transport — aircraft, trains, ships — cross-border motor vehicle drivers, and accompanying family members of ship crew |
| D | Those who intend to reside in China permanently |
The distinctions that actually catch people
M is not Z
An M visa covers commercial and trade activities — meetings, negotiations, trade fairs. It is not a work visa. Taking up employment on an M visa is unlawful employment. Working requires Z (or R) plus a work permit and a work-type residence permit.
Q is about Chinese nationals, S is about foreigners
Both cover family visits, and people routinely apply for the wrong one. The test is who you are visiting:
- Visiting a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with Chinese permanent residence → Q
- Visiting a foreigner working or studying in China → S
L will not open a bank account
The visa categories banks accept are built around long-stay types. A tourist L visa is not among them — see opening a bank account for the accepted list and the alternative.
G is not the same as visa-free transit
G is a transit visa you apply for. Separately, citizens of 57 countries can transit without any visa for up to 240 hours — see visa-free transit. Check the visa-free route first; it is usually simpler.
Whatever category you hold
Every one of these carries the same obligation on arrival: if you stay anywhere other than a hotel, register your address with the police within 24 hours. See the city guides for Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Sources
- Shanghai Municipal Government — Visa classification
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners
- National Immigration Administration — Entry-Exit and Stay (Residence) of Foreigners
Visa categories and their conditions are set nationally but applied by individual embassies and consulates, which may ask for additional documents. This page records what the official sources said on the verification date shown above; confirm with the mission handling your application before booking travel.