How to Make a Visa Application on New China Online Visa Application System
Ⅰ. Please read the following information carefully before submitting your application:
1.New China Online Visa Application System was officially launched by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Croatia on 31st March 2025.
All applicants, including diplomats, government officials, but excluding visa applications for Hong Kong SAR of China and Macao SAR of China, are required to access and complete China Visa Application Form through China Online Visa Application （COVA） （https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/).
After the approval of online visa preliminary review, the applicants can come to the Embassy to submit the passport and qualified photo (if not passed in the process of application), and collect bio-metric information without making an appointment.
Your application will be declined or you may be refused entry permission to China if you provide inaccurate, false or misleading information. If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide supplementary documents, or require an interview with the applicant.
2. All applicants must have your fingerprints collected, and the following applicants are exempted from fingerprints collection:
(1) Those who are less than 14 years old or more than 70 years old.
(2)Effective from 2nd September 2024 until 31st December 2025, all applicants who apply for short-term visas (duration of stay in China within 180 days) of one or two entries will be exempted from collection of fingerprints.
(3) The head of state or government and the accompanying family members.
(4) Those who are eligible to be issued diplomatic, service or courtesy visas.
(5) Members of the diplomatic and consular posts in China, and the accompanying spouses, parents and minor Children.
(6) Those who suffer from mutilation of all ten fingers or whose fingerprints cannot be collected.
3.After the visa application is submitted online, it normally takes 1 to 2 working days for the preliminary review and approval. After the applicants come to the Embassy and submit the passport and other materials, it normally takes 5 working days to process visa applications and make the visa. There is still a possibility to prolong the processing time. If you need to provide further documents, we will contact you and inform you of the processing time. You can request express service but it must be approved by the consular officer.
4. The Embassy of China in Croatia does not accept documents by mail and payment online.
Ⅱ. Steps to apply for a visa to China
STEP ONE: Prepare documents
Please read Part Ⅲ "Materials and documents required for China visa application" carefully and prepare relevant materials and documents as required.
STEP TWO: Complete China Online Visa Application Form
Please log in the China Online Visa Application system（https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/. Hereinafter as “system”) and complete your China Online Visa Application Form. After registering and logging in, please click “Guidance on Visa Application” to learn more about visa application process, and then click “Start an Application” to apply and submit.
Please be noted that:
Each applicant (including minors) is required to complete the online application form.
Your visa application will be submitted successfully only after you click “Confirm and Submit” shown below. In the “Status of Application Form ” of the system, it is displayed as “preliminary review is in progress”.
STEP THREE: Waiting for the approval
Please check the assessing result of your application. The assessing result will be shown in the system after one to two working days. Applicant can find the assessing result in “Track My Application” once submitting the application. You can also modify the application form or reload missing docs in “Track My Application”.
The Embassy of China in Croatia will only notify the applicant in the system whether the visa application is approved or not. Under certain circumstances, the Embassy will contact the applicant for inquiries or confirmation. Please remember to check your email and phone number that you leave when applying for the visa from time to time.
STEP FOUR: Submit passports and other documents
There is no need to make an appointment to submit passports and other documents to the Embassy. If the "Track My Application" in the system shows "Passport to be submitted", you can come to the Embassy in person between 9:00AM-12:00AM every Tuesday or Thursday (excluding Chinese and Croatia public holidays). Individuals who are exempted from fingerprint collection can entrust others to submit documents and passports (please refer to PartⅠ).
The following application materials must be submitted when arriving at the Embassy:
1. Passport. Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages.
2. A recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a white background.
3. Originals or copies of other application materials required by the Embassy (If applicable).
STEP FIVE: Payment and collection
You will be given a pickup form when submitting your passports at the consular office. You must bring the pickup form for passport collection and make the payment for your visa application. You may ask someone else to collect your passport. Your nominated person must present the pickup form and his or her ID for passport collection and make the payment for your visa application. The payment can only be made when picking up the passports.
Ⅲ. Materials and documents required for online China visa application:
1. Basic documents
(1) Passport
Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages.
(2)A recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a white background.
(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those who are not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship).
If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original of your valid certificates of residence or visa of stay, or other valid certificates of legal stay provided by the relevant authorities of the country where you currently stay.
(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese visas (optional).
2. Supporting documents
Please refer to the following Brief Introduction to Visa For China(Mainland only) to determine the type of visa you will apply for.
C Visa
A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China.
D Visa
The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of D Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security department under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.
F Visa
An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain:
(1) Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.).
(2) Information of the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures).
(3) Information of the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).
G Visa
(1) for transit:
- an onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region.
(2) for crew member that join the vessel in China:
- a letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company.
- original and photocopy of Seaman's book.
J1 Visa
Visa Notification Letter issued by the Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of J1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.
J2 Visa
Visa Notification Letter issued by the Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other units exempt from verification in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.
L Visa
Documents showing the itinerary including airplane ticket booking information (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter should contain:
(1) Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.).
(2) Information of the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.).
(3) Information of the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).
M Visa
(1) Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain:
- Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.).
- Information of the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures).
- Information of the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).
Q1 Visa
For family reunion, the following documents are required:
(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:
- Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.).
- Information of the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures).
- Information of the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.).
(2) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit in China.
(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
For foster care, the following documents are required:
(1) Foster entrust notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or by related authorities in the country of residence.
(2) Original and photocopy of the consignor's passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of notarized and authenticated certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children.
(3) A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee.
(4) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, provided that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.
Q2 Visa
(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:
- Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.).
- Information of the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures).
- Information of the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.).
(2)Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual.
R Visa
The applicant should submit relevant certification in accordance with relevant regulations, and meet the relevant requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high-level talents and individual with special skills urgently needed by China.
S1 Visa
(1) An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:
- Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.).
- Information of the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.).
- Information of the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature, etc.).
(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and residence permit.
(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.
"immediate family members " refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.
S2 Visa
For visiting family members for a short period, the following documents are required:
(1) An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:
- Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.).
- Information of the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.).
- Information of the inviting individual (name, contacting number, address, signature, etc.).
(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or lives in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit.
(3) Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual.
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer.
X1 Visa
(1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.
(2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of X1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.
X2 Visa
Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.
Z Visa
One of the following documents shall be provided:
(1) Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China issued by Chinese government authorities for Human Resources and Social Security.
(2) Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts.
(3) Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration.
(4) An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs.
(5) Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of Z Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security departments under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.