Visa Instruction

IWL participants need a formal letter from HZNU to apply for the visa if they do not enjoy the visa waiver. They can apply for a visa only after they receive their formal acceptance from the IWL around Feb 15, 2027. Once accepted in the IWL program, they can contact Hairong Chen (hairong2020@gmail.com) at HZNU to receive also an official letter from the host needed to apply for the visa.

I. FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China

Q: Who does not need a visa?

A: Nationals holding valid ordinary passports of 50 countries, namely Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia, Sweden, Canada and UK are exempted from visa requirement if coming to China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without a visa.

Q: How long will the visa waiver be effective?

 for more information on Visa-free Entry into China

II. Visa Application Instructions for IWL participants who need a visa

1. Visa Category

When applying for a visa F, you need to prepare the following documents:

1) Basic Documents

As required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in your locality, please fill in the visa application form online and submit the applicant's passport and photo, proof of legal stay or residence, and the previous Chinese passport or previous Chinese visa (for specific requirements, please refer to the “Guidance on Visa Application” section of the China Online Visa Application System, or the website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in your locality), together with the following:

2) Other Supporting Documents

An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter must contain the following information:

• Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
• Information about the invited person's visit to China: reason for coming to China, dates of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting entity or the inviting person, who will pay for the travel, etc.;
• Information of the inviting entity or the inviting person: name of the inviting entity or name of the inviting person, phone number, address, official seal of the entity, signature of the legal representative or the inviting person, etc.

2. Important Tips

The invitation letter may be a fax, a photocopy or a printout, but the consular officers may require the applicant to provide the original one.

When necessary, the consular officers may require the applicant to provide other supporting documents or supplementary materials, or require the applicant to attend an interview.

The consular officials will decide whether to issue a visa and determine its validity, duration of stay and number of entries according to the applicant's specific circumstances.

For further details, please visit Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China.

3. Step-by-step visa application 

Step 1: Please visit the China Consular Services Website.

Step 2: Please choose “Visiting China” in the mid-upper place to get more detailed instructions.

Step 3: Please click the left hand menu as follows:

• China Online VISA Application System.
• Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China; 
  Please refer to the F visa according to academic exchange purpose and follow the instructions.
• Mutual Visa Exemption List (In alphabetical order)
• FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China
• Visa-Free Transit
• Laws and Regulations (Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China; Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners)
• China Travel Guide (GUIDE TO PAYMENT SERVICES IN CHINA)