J-1 Visa is issued to foreign reporters and their accompanying dependents. Applicants need to get the approval from related Chinese news authorities before submitting their visa application.

• Please submit the following documents with your application:

1. Passport: Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it.

2. Application form: One completed Visa Application Form

3. Photo: one passport photo (black & white or color is acceptable) glued or stapled on the application form.

4. Non-US passport bearers shall provide documents that entitle them to reside or work for an extended period of time in the US, and previous Chinese visa.

5. An applicant who was born in China is required to submit his /her Chinese passport or last foreign passport with a Chinese visa when he/she applies for a Chinese visa with a new foreign passport.

• How to apply

1. You may come to the Visa Office of the Embassy or Consulate -Generalin the consular jurisdiction in which you live to submit the application; or

2. If you cannot come personally, you may entrust someone else or a travel/visa agent to come to the visa office of the Embassy or Consulate -Generalin the consular jurisdiction in which you live for the application process.

o No appointment is required.

o Mailed applications are not acceptable and will be refused.

o Mail back service is available (make sure you read INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION MAIL SERVICE) .

• Processing Time

1. The regular processing time is 4 working days.

2. Express service: 2-3 working days processing, additional fees of $20 will be charged per visa.

3. Same day rush service: additional fees of $30 for 1 working day processing (applications presented before 12:00pm may be picked up between 2:30pm-3:00pm on the same day).

• Visa fees

1. Please pay by Visa Card, Master Card, Money Order, Cashier's Check, or Official Check.  No Company Check, Personal check and cash accepted.

2. Please make the check or money order payable to the Chinese Embassy .

3. $130 for American, and $30 for Citizens of other countries.

Note: Visa fees for citizens of some other countries may differ without notice.

• Additional Information

1. If the visa application form is not filled out completely, correctly and legibly, this can cause a delay in processing or refusal of the requested visa.

2. J-1 visa is valid for one entry, three months. The holder of a J-1 visa shall go through residential formalities in the local public security department within thirty days of entry into China.

3. Any person suffering from a mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China.

All regulations are subject to change without notice.