Applying for a Crew Visa for China (C-Visa)

Purpose: Official travel to China as a crew member of an airline or shipping company. Flight attendants, pilots, and sailors should apply for a crew visa.

Do not confuse this visa with the visa for relatives of crew members, who must apply for a specific type of tourist visa.

You can apply for a single, double, or multiple entry crew visa valid for either 6 or 12 months.

The basis for the application is always a dispatch letter from the employer, either the airline or shipping company. You must also submit a copy of your pilot or crew ID with a photo.

Duration of the Visa Determines Entry Permission

A multiple-entry crew visa is only issued if the applicant can provide a company invitation and a previous visa.

Formal Requirements for the Dispatch Letter

The dispatch letter must include:

• The complete address and phone number of the company (airline, shipping company) on the letterhead,
• The name and birth date of the applicant.
• It must be signed by hand. A copy of the letter is sufficient. If necessary, it can also be sent by email as an attachment.

No Extension

The crew visa cannot be extended in China.

Application Documents

To apply for a China crew visa, you need:

1. Application form,
2. Valid passport,
3. A recent biometric passport photo,
4. The dispatch letter from your airline or shipping company, and a Chinese invitation,
5. A copy of your pilot or crew ID.

Apply for a Chinese Visa Online

1a Visa Consulting Limited processes visa applications from all regions in the UK. We offer daily free consultations at Tel. 020 - 3239 5990.