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Visa Extension, Change and Reissuance for Foreigners

Visa Extension, Change and Reissuance for Foreigners is issued by National Immigration Administration (NIA). VisaAI tracks 25 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.

Last verified against the official source on .

VisaAI is not a government body and does not issue visas. It cannot decide, predict or guarantee the outcome of an application, and this page is not legal or immigration advice.

Requirements change. Confirm every item on National Immigration Administration (NIA)’s own page before you apply.

Each requirement below is written in plain English by VisaAI. The indented text beneath it is quoted from National Immigration Administration (NIA)’s own page, so you can check what we say against what they say. Where a quotation shows “ ... ”, text has been left out.

Conditions you must meet

  • Scope: extension, change and reissuance after entry on a regular visaThe guide states its own scope.
    Applicable to foreigners applying for visa extension, change and reissuance after entry with a regular visa.
  • Legal basis: the Exit and Entry Administration Law and the Entry-Exit RegulationsThe two instruments the guide is written under.
    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.
  • Where it is accepted: exit-entry departments of prefecture-level and above public security organsThe NIA entrusts acceptance rather than accepting directly.
    The National Immigration Administration (NIA) entrusts the exit-entry departments of public security organs at or above the prefecture-level cities (including counties and districts under the jurisdiction of municipalities directly under the central government) to accept the foreigners' visa affairs.
  • Apply in person, with three cases where an inviting entity or relative may apply insteadThe three cases are enumerated by the authority immediately below.
    Foreigners who, after entering China with ordinary visas, need to stay in China for non-diplomatic or unofficial purposes may, in accordance with relevant regulations, apply to exit-entry departments of public security organs for visa extension, change and reissuance. The applicant shall go through the relevant formalities at exit-entry departments of public security organs. In any of the following cases, the inviting entity or relatives of the applicant may apply on behalf of the applicant:
  • Proxy case 1: under 16, over 60, or inconvenienced by illness or other reasonsFirst of three.
    1.The applicant is under the age of 16 or over the age of 60 or it would unduly inconvenience the applicant due to illness or other reasons;
  • Proxy case 2: not a first entry, with good records of stay or residenceSecond of three.
    2.The applicant's current entry is not his or her first entry into China and the applicant has good records of stay or residence in China;
  • Proxy case 3: the inviting entity or individual has guaranteed the applicant’s expenses in ChinaThird of three.
    3.The inviting entity or individual has guaranteed to cover the necessary expenses of the applicant incurred in China.
  • C visa: a transport-authority or company certificate — extend by no more than 30 daysCrew members.
    a. Holder of C visa shall submit a letter of certificate issued by the competent departments of the people's government at or above the county level or the local civil aviation, railway, road and port transportation companies. The stay may be extended for no more than 30 days.
  • F visa: an inviting and receiving entity certificate — extend by no more than 180 daysUnregistered entities must also submit a registration certificate.
    b. Holder of F visa shall submit a letter of certificate issued by the inviting and receiving entities. The entities that have not filed for records shall also submit the registration certificate. The stay may be extended for no more than 180 days.
  • G visa: a receiving entity certificate and a confirmed onward ticket — extend by no more than 30 daysTransit. The ticket must carry a confirmed seat and date.
    c. Holder of G visa shall submit a letter of certificate issued by the receiving entity and a connecting ticket (flight, bus or ship) to the destination country (region) with confirmed seat and date. The stay may be extended for no more than 30 days.
  • J2 visa: a provincial foreign affairs certificate — extend by no more than 30 daysShort-term journalists.
    d. The holder of J2 visa shall submit a letter of certificate issued by the foreign affairs departments of the people's government at the provincial level. The stay may be extended for no more than 30 days.
  • L visa: a travel plan and itinerary, plus a travel agency letter for group tours — extend by no more than 30 daysTourists.
    e. Holder of L visa shall submit a travel plan and itinerary, and for a group tour, also a letter of certificate issued by the travel agency. The stay may be extended for no more 30 days.
  • M visa: an inviting entity or individual certificate — extend by no more than 180 daysAn inviting individual must sign and submit household registration or proof of actual residence.
    f. Holder of M visa shall submit a letter of certificate issued by the local inviting and receiving entities or individuals, and the entities that have not filed the record shall also submit the registration certificate. The inviting individual shall put signature in the letter and submit local household registration or a certificate of the actual residence. The stay may be extended for no more than 180 days.
  • Q2 visa: an invitation letter, identity certificate and proof of family relationship — extend by no more than 180 daysShort-term family visits.
    g. Holder of Q2 visa shall submit an invitation letter provided by the individuals to be visited, the identity certificate, and proof of family relationship. The stay may be extended for no more than 180 days.
  • R visa: an inviting and receiving entity certificate — extend by no more than 180 daysHigh-level and urgently-needed talent.
    h. Holder of R visa shall submit a certificate letter issued by the inviting and receiving entities, and the entities that have not filed for records shall also submit the registration certificate. The stay may be extended for no more than 180 days.
  • S2 visa: 180 days for visiting relatives, 90 days for other private or humanitarian purposesThe only letter with two different limits, and they are 90 days apart.
    i. For the S2 visa holders, the visiting personnel shall submit an invitation letter provided by the individuals to be visited, a foreigner residence permit and proof of family relationship. Foreigners visiting for other purposes shall submit certificates stating the nature of the private affairs or humanitarian causes. The duration of stay may be extended to no more than 180 days for those visiting relatives, and no more than 90 days for those visiting for other purposes.
  • X2 visa: a current study certificate from a Chinese institution — extend by no more than 180 daysShort-term study.
    j. Holder of X2 visa shall submit a current study certificate issued by an education or training institution within the territory of China. The stay may be extended for no more than 180 days.
  • The accumulated extension cannot exceed the original duration of stayThe ceiling on all of the above, published by the authority as a note.
    Note: The accumulated extension of stay shall not exceed the original duration of stay specified in the visa.
  • Changes: permitted on a change of purpose, entry conveniences, a new passport, or separating from a group visaFour grounds, enumerated by the authority.
    Where a foreigner changes purpose of stay, is granted entry conveniences in accordance with relevant provisions of the State, starts using a new passport, or needs to stay separately from his or her tour group after entering China with a group visa due to objective reasons, the applicant may apply for a change of visa by submitting the following documents:
  • Change to an F visa: an inviting entity certificate; up to one year’s validity and 180 days’ stayZero-, single-, double- or multiple-entry.
    a. To apply for the change to F visa, the applicant shall submit a letter of certificate issued by the inviting entities, and may be issued the zero-entry, single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa with a valid period upon entry no more than one year and a stay no more than 180 days.
  • Change to a J2 visa: a provincial foreign affairs certificate; a zero-entry visa with up to 30 days’ stayZero-entry, which means it cannot be used to re-enter.
    b. To apply for the change to J2 visa, a letter of certificate issued by the foreign affairs department of the people's government at the provincial level shall be submitted. A zero-entry visa with a stay of no more than 30 days can be issued.

Official forms

  • All applications: the visa/stay permit/residence permit form and a compliant photoSecond of four baseline materials.
    b. Fill out the Visa/ Stay Permit/ Residence Permit Application Form and submit a photo that complies with the Guide for Entry and Exit Document Photographs

Documents you must provide

  • All applications: a valid passport or other international travel documentFirst of four baseline materials.
    a. Valid passport or other international travel documents
  • All applications: supporting materials related to the reasons for the applicationThird of four baseline materials.
    c. Supporting materials related to reasons of application

Steps in the process

  • Extensions: apply 7 DAYS before the stay expiresThe deadline that makes every limit below reachable or not.
    To apply for extension of a stay, a foreigner shall apply to the exit and entry departments of public security organs 7 days prior to the expiration date of the stay specified in the visa, and submit relevant supporting materials as required:

Official sources

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