Crew Visa（C-visa）is issued to crew member performing his/her duties on board an international train, or on an international airliner, to a sailor on board an international ocean-liner or freighter, and also to their accompanying family members.

    i.Please provide the following documents:

    (i) Original passport which has more than 6 months left before it expires from the date of application and sufficient blank visa pages.  

    (ii) One completed Visa Application Form (e-Form / Download) with a recently-taken passport photo. The application form should be fully filled in with genuine information; if the applicant has a Chinese name, the Chinese name should be filled in; false or incomplete information and illegible characters may lead to refusal of a visa. 

    (iii) Related certificate(s) as provided for in the bilateral agreement or as required by the Chinese side, such as an official letter issued by their companies or corporations stating that they apply for a crew visa. Crew members of foreign airways who perform duties on international flight operated by Chinese carriers under an exchange program should provide visa notification issued by an authorized unit in China (original).

    ii.Method and Time for Submission of Application

    (i) Method: An applicant may submit his or her visa application to the Centre in person or entrusts someone or a travel agent to submit on his or her behalf. You should make an online appointment in advance via the Centre's website before submission. If you select to apply by post, you need to follow Guidelines on Postal Application in addition to preparing for all the documents provided for above. You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy or the Consulate General for an interview if the Chinese Embassy or the Consulate General deems it necessary.  

    (ii)Time: Regular visa processing time is 4 working days. For example, customers applying on Monday will pick up their visas on Thursday. Express visa processing time is 3 working days. For example, customers applying on Monday will pick up their visas on Wednesday. Please note that express service is only available to those customers who submit applications to the visa counter before 12:00 at noon, Monday to Friday. Therefore, if you request express service, please select the time slot before 12:00 at noon for submission when making an online appointment.

    iii.Schedule of fees, period of validity and duration of stay

    (i) Pay visa and service fees when collecting passport;

    (ii) You may select cash or debit card when making payment;

    (iii)Schedule of visa Fees and Service Fees (Unit: British Pound):

    (iv) C-visa issued by the Chinese Embassy or the Consulate General is valid for a period of 3 months and up to 1 year with single entry, double or multiple entries based on the bilateral agreement or actual needs. Duration of stay is decided by consular officers in the light of actual need. 

    (v) Consular officers decide on the visa's period of validity, duration of stay and number of entry in the light of China's laws and regulations.

    (vi) Whether a visa is to be issued or not to be issued, and what type of visa to be issued shall be decided by Consular officers in the light of China’s relevant laws and regulations.

    iv.Please note：

    (i) Please apply for a visa about one month in advance of your intended date of entry into China, and do not apply 3 months earlier than your intended date of entry into China. You should take upon yourself any consequences resulting from your failure to submit visa application at an appropriate time, which may lead to either your already-issued visa becoming expired or it would be too late to get a visa before your planned departure date.   

    (ii) The visa application form should be fully filled in and signed by the applicant upon completion (application for an applicant under 18 years of age should be signed by one of his or her parents). Items which are not applicable should be filled in with N/A. 

    (iii) Consular officers may request an applicant to provide additional supporting documents when called for. The applicant should provide it as soon as possible.  

    (iv) C-Visa is used only for the purpose of performing duties as a crew member. C visa holders who come to China for the purposes other than performing such a duty or those who intend to continue to stay in China for personal reasons after completion of their duties have to apply for an appropriate visa. 

    (v) A C-Visa holder must enter into or exit from China with the aircraft (train and ship) he or she works for, otherwise, he or she should apply for another type of visa.