Chinese visa resources
Chinese visa categories explained
A plain-language guide to China's visa letter categories — L, M, F, Q, S, X, G, J and others — drawn from the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs descriptions.
Important
China issues visas by letter category, each matching a different purpose of travel. This page explains the main categories in plain language, drawing on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs descriptions; always confirm the correct category for your situation with the official guidance.
Visit and family categories
L is the tourist visa. Q visas are for the family of Chinese citizens and permanent residents (Q1 for long-term residence, Q2 for a short visit). S visas are for the family of foreigners working or studying in China (S1 long-term, S2 short visit).
Business, exchanges and study
M is for commercial and trade (business) activities, F is for exchanges, visits and study tours, and X is the student visa (X1 for study of more than 180 days, X2 for study of up to 180 days). Further categories — including work (Z), crew (C), residence (D) and talent (R) — also exist; see the official category list for these.
Transit and journalism
G is for transit through China to another country, and J visas are for journalists (J1 resident, J2 short-term). Use the official category chooser on visaforchina.cn to confirm which category fits your trip.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-09. Information only — not legal advice.