HaoHaoReport.com Extract
New visa types and changesF Visas (Exchanges, Visits, Inspections)
J Visas (Journalists)
Previous law: J visas were issued to foreign journalists.
L Visas (Tourism)
Previous law: L visas were issued for tourism, to visit relatives, or for other private purposes.
M Visas (Business or Commerce)
Previous law: There was no prior M visa classification. F visas covered visitors for business or commerce.
Q1 Visas (Family Members of PRC Citizens or Permanent Residents Coming to Reside in China)
Previous law: L visas were granted to persons coming to China to visit or reside with PRC citizen or permanent resident family.
Q2 Visas (Relatives of PRC Citizens or Permanent Residents Coming to Visit China)
Previous law: L visas were granted to persons coming to China to visit or reside with PRC citizen or permanent resident family.
R Visas (Talent)
Previous law: ”Talent” visas are a new classification that did not exist under prior law. In the past, persons coming to China for work generally held Z visas.
S Visas (Certain Relatives of Foreign Workers or Students in China)
Previous law: Persons coming to China to visit family members with X foreign student visas were issued L visas but not residence permits. Persons coming to China to visit family members with Z visas were issued Z visas and residence permits.
X Visas (Students)
Previous law: Issued to students and others coming to China for training or internship for a period of six months or more.
Z Visas (Work)
Previous law: Z visas were issued to foreign workers and their accompanying family members.