There are four types of Chinese Visas as follows: Diplomatic, Courtesy, Official and Ordinary. The visas are issued up to the purpose of visit or type of passport etc. We are now mainly introducing Ordinary Visas. There are eight types of Ordinary Visas represented by L, F, Z, X, D, G, C, J .

"type L" is issued to those who come to China for tourism or visiting relatives etc. The document requirement for this sort of visa application ,which also apply to the other sorts of visa applications ,are as follows:

1) Valid passport(six months or above validity) with at least one blank page for visa;

2) Neatly completed application form with one recent photo on it (totally 2 photos are required since 2012/6);

3) For first-time-application of Chinese visa, return tickets or other documents related to the application should be presented upon the request of the consular officer;

4) The spouse or child of a Chinese citizen could apply for a multi-entry visa with relative documents demonstrating their relationship;

5) For an applicant with non-Egyptian passport, 3 months valid residence or above is required. For a tourist with non-Egyptian passport, a letter from the related Embassy in Cairo is required.

"type F" is issued to those who will come to visit or do business etc.in China. An invitation letter from China and/or visa issue notification from an authorized Chinese institution are required.

"type Z" is issued to those who will work in China. A work permit or a Letter of Appointment from relative Chinese Government departments ,visa issue notification from an authorized Chinese institution and physical examination record for foreigners are required.

"type X" is issued to those who will study in China for more than six months. The admission notification from a Chinese university, visa issue notification from an authorized Chinese institution and physical examination record for foreigners are required.

"type D" is issued to those who will reside in China.

"type G" is issued to those who need to transit in China. Air tickets and a valid visa to the destination country are required.

"type C" is issued to crew members.

"J-1" is issued to those journalists who will work in China.

"J-2" is issued to those journalists who will work in China temporarily .

The people with D,Z or X visa should apply for a residence permit from the local public security department within 30 days after arrival in China.