CHINA
OVERVIEW
China is the world’s most populous country with a population of 1.44 billion people. It has quickly become the second largest economy in the word. And, it is the world’s third biggest country by territory.
China is not only big but it has broad geographical and cultural diversity. To understand China, it means paying attention to China’s diversity, to its distinctive geographical regions, historic patterns, economic activities and resources. Key regions of China include: the North China Plain, the Loess Plateau, the Southeast Coast and Shanghai, the Yangzi Valley, the Sichuan Basin, Southwest Uplands, Xinjiang, Northeast (Manchuria), Qinghai and the Tibetan Plateau. Traditionally, China has recognized the distinctiveness of geographical regions, and some cities, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Hong Kong, have special political and economic roles.
The majority of people speak some variety of Mandarin Chinese as their first language, but there are several hundred languages in China. As the means of tying the country and its regions together, a common written language, Standard Chinese is learned at school.
TRADE / ECONOMY
China’s economy has grown fast throughout the past forty decades, and China has become the world’s second biggest economy. The high growth based on resource-intensive manufacturing and exports is reaching its limits, and China is restructuring its economy from low-end manufacturing to higher-end manufacturing and services, and from investment to consumption. Nevertheless, massive investment in infrastructure continues, as proofed by the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, the global infrastructure development strategy extending to almost 70 countries. It was adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to build a China-centred global trading network.
China is fostering new drivers of growth in many areas, such as, AI and smart cities, manufacturing IoT, biotech and advanced materials. For foreign companies, one of the key reasons for operating in China today is the country’s rapid technological development. In particular, the size and dynamism of new Internet companies, and the fact that more than 900 million people have access to Internet in China, make the country a significant new engine for digital economy.
The number of initiatives linked to long-term ambitious climate targets (including reducing the country’s reliance on coal and raising the share of non-fossil fuel consumption), combined with innovative measures where the public, the private and the civil society resources are all utilized, suggest a vast number and variety of new business opportunities in China.
TOURISM
China’s famous historical and cultural sites, beautiful natural scenery, and rich tradition of customs attract an increasing number of foreign tourists. In recent years, China has also developed its tourism environment with large investments in transportation, hotels, and attractions with quality services for visitors.
Chinese people are patriotic and proud of their rich culture and history originating several thousand years ago. There are cultural and linguistic variations in different regions of China, and fifty-five minority groups, have their own unique cultures, languages, and customs.
China is famous for its cuisine and food culture. Food serves important social functions in the Chinese society, including expressing the degree of interpersonal relationship (different foods convey different meanings), expressing social status and belonging to a group, conveying meanings such as longevity and good luck. People treat others with meals in order to make new friends or to enhance established relationships.
Before coming to China
Finnish citizens need a visa to enter China. However, there are some exemptions for short transit stays and for sightseeing in groups. Before travelling to China it is important to find out information about the process and forms of visa application: the authorities provide detailed information on, Guidelines of visiting China.
Immigration and employment
There are websites, which specialize in helping foreigners to find employment opportunities in China. Native speakers of English are always in demand, for instance, for teaching posts and for marketing, sales and consulting linked to overseas business activities. High quality specialists in various industries (e.g., game industry, creative sectors, scientists) can also find interesting work opportunities. Naturally, international businesses operating in China provide a feasible option to get into the Chinese labour market.
For immigration policy and visa application procedures, please visit: http://english.www.gov.cn/services/
EDUCATION
Education is one of the most important things in one’s life in China. The significance of good education as a means of enhancing a person’s worth and the person’s contribution to society has both historical roots and a central role in the government agenda: The current strategy of rejuvenating China puts science, technology and education as China’s priorities.
International exchanges and cooperation have had and are having a major influence on the quality of education in China. However, the rise of Chinese Higher Education Institutions in Global Rankings demonstrates that China is building a noteworthy role in global higher education. Improvements in reputation and rankings of its Higher Education Institutions are inspiring an increasing number of students to study in their home country.
Education system in China
China has the largest education system in the world. With almost 260 million students and over 15 million teachers in about 514,000 schools, excluding graduate education institutions, China’s education system is not only immense but diverse. Education is state-run, with little involvement of private providers in the school sector, and increasingly decentralized.
China’s Law on Compulsory Education stipulates that all children aged six, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, family financial status, and religion, are equally entitled to nine years of free, compulsory education, including six years of primary education and three years of junior secondary education.
Vocational education and higher education
In recent years, China has invested significantly in its vocational education in order to develop adequate capacity for large-scale training of technicians and skillful workers, serving the country’s economic and social development. In 2018, there were a total of 11,700 vocational education institutions in the country, with almost 27 million registered students. One specific emphasis has been the development of cooperation between vocational training providers and companies. Vocational education graduates have become a valuable resource for SMEs and for regional industries striving to higher-end manufacturing and services.
Higher education sector comprises two thousand universities and colleges, with more than six million students. The system includes Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees, as well as non-degree programs, and is also open to foreign students in China.
China has been the biggest source country of international students for several years. According to a recent Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) report, in 2017 more than 600,000 Chinese students chose to pursue higher education in a foreign country. With Chinese students’ growing demand for a more diverse educational experience, colleges and universities around the world are also establishing their presence in China.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Business Visa Application Requirements for a China Visa
Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
- Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- If requesting multiple entries, the passport must contain at least two blank facing visa pages, there can be no stamps or amendment endorsement type on the pages
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact VisaCentral at 877-535-0688 for further details.
- Be taken within the last six months, against an all white background, and printed on high-quality photo paper
- Be 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide exactly. Note many passport photo vendors provide standard photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression, eyes open, ears visible
- No background light or shadow over your face
- You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes
- You should not wear any garment identical to the photo background
- Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples
Photographs
You must provide one color, passport-type photograph that meets the following criteria:
Letter of Invitation
You must provide a letter of invitation. Use the included template in this kit as a guide to the content and format of the invitation. All components are of the template are required.
Business Cover Letter
You are required to provide a Business Cover Letter from your U.S.-based company. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a U.S. mailing address. Use the included sample Business Cover Letter to complete your letter.In addition to the language provided in the sample, your Business Cover Letter must:
- The letter must be addressed to: Embassy of China
Proof of State Residency
You must provide a proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front of your driver’s license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:
- Display your name as it appears on your passport
- Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application
Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.
PU Letter
If you have secured your own PU it must show the consulate applicable to your jurisdiction. If you are unsure about the PU or need VisaCentral to assist in obtaining this requirement please contact VisaCentral for further directions.
VisaCentral Order Form
Provide the VisaCentral Order Form included in this kit.
Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. The application must:
- Be completed online
- Include answers for all required fields (NA where not applicable)
- List the name of the traveler exactly as it is written in the passport
- Be printed single-sided
- Be dated and signed in blue or black ink
- Be enclosed with all other documents in your visa application kit
VisaCentral provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://visacentral.com/forms?formname=China Application Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.
Authorization Letter
You must provide a letter of authorization found in this kit, authorizing VisaCentral to submit and collect your visa application and documents on your behalf.
- You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
- You must provide a copy of your most recent China visa and a copy of the passport in which the visa was issued
- If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original China passport and a copy of your Green Card, and a copy of your Naturalization Certificate
- If you were adopted from China you must also include a copy of your adoption papers showing adoptive parents names, name change, and photo with parents (do not include the original papers). If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization certificate and U.S. birth certificate.
Former PRC Nationals or Individuals Born in Chinese Territories
If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:
Media Professionals and Religious Professionals
If you are a religious professional, media professional or employed by a media company, even if you are not traveling for business purposes, you must submit both a personal statement and a letter from your employer on company letterhead indicating that you are not traveling on company business and will not be performing any media or religious related work.
Previous Visas
If you have been granted a China visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued China visa. If the visa is not located in your current passport, you must submit the original passport containing the previous China visa.
China Visa Validity
Applicants will be eligible for a 10-year visa provided that the traveler has at least one year of remaining validity on their U.S. Passport. If you have less than one year you will be granted a six-month visa to China.
VisaCentral can help you renew your passport. Call 877-535-0688 for more information.
U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries
U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport will need to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. VisaCentral will be unable to assist you with your visa request.
Proof of Vaccine
You may provide your original CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card showing full vaccination status or you may provide a notarized copy of the front and back of the Vaccination card.
Travel Record
You must provide a copy of the travel record form included in this kit. The form must:
- Include all countries that you have visited
- Be signed
- Include entry/exit dates of each travel
NGO/Non-Profit Workers
If applying for a business visa, you must provide an employer letter and personal statement. Processing time varies on a case by case basis. If your employer is a NGO or nonprofit your application will require additional review by the China Visa Section.
Applicants with Criminal Record
Travelers with a criminal record will be required to appear in person at the consulate in order to provide biometrics.
Urgent Applications
If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline, VisaCentral can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays. A VisaCentral expert will review all of your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly. Visit https://visacentral.com/visa-pre-check-service to learn more about this service.
Additional Documents
You must complete a “Where You Stay” form included in this kits.
- Attention to Consulate of the People’s Republic of China
- Your Full name
- Job Description
- Training
- Complete dates served
- Work Frequency, etc.
- Signed and Date
Military Statement
If you have a Military background, the Chinese Consulate request a separate statement describing your job description including the following information:
IMPORTANT LINKS
More facts and statistics about China:
OECD – China statistical profile
BBC – China country profile
Chinese government:
China’s political system
The State Council – Information on China
Ministries of China – Bilingual database
Belt and Road Initiative
Major regions and languages:
Understanding the geography of China
Languages of China
Analysis of China:
McKinsey & Company (2020) – Business, international relations, and more
World Bank – Overview and partnership
News from China in English:
http://www.china.org.cn/index.htm
http://english.scio.gov.cn/index.htm
http://www.cctv.com/english/index.shtml