Visa Replacement and Extension
2022-05-23
A foreign visitor whose passport is about to expire or passport visa pages are close to full and therefore must request a new passport, should present his or her passport with which he or she has entered China, to the proper authorities for replacement or renewal.
In the case of an infant born in China and thus bearing an independent passport, his or her birth certificate and a photocopy of his or her parents' foreign passports should be presented.
Visa Extension
According to the Article 29 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China adopted on June 30, 2012, where the duration of stay needs to be extended, the visa holder shall file an application with the exit-entry administration of public security organ under the local people’s government at or above the county level in the place of his stay seven days prior to the expiry of the duration specified in the visa, and shall submit information of specific application matters in accordance with relevant requirements. If upon examination, the reasons for extension are appropriate and sufficient, such extension shall be granted; if an extension is denied, the foreigner shall leave China on the expiry of the duration.
Who may apply for the visa extension?
In normal cases, the applicant should come in person to the exit-entry administration authorities to submit the application. However, in any of the following cases, the applicant can have others (the inviting unit or individual, the applicant’s relatives) or an agency submit the application on his/her behalf:
1) The applicant is under 16 or more than 60 years old, or with mobility difficulties due to diseases or other reasons.
2) The applicant is not a first-time visitor to China and has a good stay or residence record for the past visits.
3) There is an inviting unit or individual funding the applicant’s visit.
When to apply for visa extension?
The applicant shall submit an application for visa extension at least 7 days before the visa expires. If it’s too late, the applicant may overstay and is subject to a fine and possible deportation.
Where to apply for visa extension?
The applicant shall file an application for visa extension with the exit-entry administration of public security organ under the local people’s government at or above the county level in the place of his stay.
What materials are required for visa extension?
1. To apply for the visa extension, the applicant shall go through the following procedures and submit relevant materials.
(1) Present his or her valid passport, or other international travel certificates;
(2) Fill in a visa application form for foreigners, and submit a recently-taken color photo which is 33 mm (width) by 48 mm (height) in size with white background;
(3) Provide supporting materials justifying the reason for the visa extension; and,
(4) Perform other procedures and submit other materials required.
2. Documents required for visa extension
The foreigner who wishes to extend his/her visa shall apply for such extension to the exit/entry administration department of the local public security bureau 7 days before the expiration date and provide required supporting documents when submitting such application:
1) The C visa holder, for the purpose of visa extension, shall submit supporting documents provided by the exit/entry authority under the local government at or above the county level, or provided by the local transportation company such as civilian aviation, railway, highway, or port companies. The extension will not exceed 30 days.
2) The F visa holder shall submit supporting documents provided by the inviting and hosting organization, which, if not in the registry, shall also provide supporting registration documents. The extension will not exceed 180 days.
3) The G visa holder shall submit supporting documents provided by the hosting organization as well as the onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region. The extension will not exceed 30 days.
4) The J2 visa holder shall submit supporting documents provided by the foreign affairs department of the provincial government. The extension will not exceed 30 days.
5) The L visa holder shall submit his/her tour itinerary. Package tourists are also required to provide supporting documents provided by the travel agency. The extension will not exceed 30 days.
6) The M visa holder shall submit supporting documents provided by the inviting or hosting organization or individual. The inviting or hosting organization, if not in the registry, shall also provide proof of registration. If the partner is an individual, the supporting documents shall be signed by this individual and the supporting documents of this partner's household registration or domicile shall also be provided. The extension will not exceed 180 days.
7) The Q2 visa holder shall submit supporting documents provided by the visited individual, including proofs of ID and familial relations. The extension will not exceed 180 days.
8) The R visa holder shall submit supporting documents provided by the inviting or hosting organization, which, if not in the registry, shall also be supported by proofs of registration. The extension will not exceed 180 days.
9) The S2 visa holder, for the purpose of visiting a family member, shall submit the supporting documents provided by the visited individual, including proofs of stay or residence permits and familial relations. Other applicants shall submit proofs of personal affairs or humanitarian reasons. The duration of stay for the family-visiting applicant will be extended by no more than 180 days; for other applicant, no more than 90 days.
10) The X2 visa holder shall submit supporting admission documents provided by the education and training institution in China. The extension will not exceed 180 days.
The extended duration of stay will not exceed the original duration of stay specified on the visa.
3. Handling Authority: Public Security Organs at or above the Municipal Level
The Changsha Municipal Public Security Bureau
Address: Southwest of the intersection of Xiangzhang Road and Guitang Road, Yuhua District, Changsha City
Tel: 0731-96111;
Bus Stop: Outangpo Station in Xiangzhang Road
