SHENZHEN TRAVEL / VISA APPLICATION / INVITATION LETTER
                              
SHENZHEN, CHINA 深圳

Shenzhen located in the south of China, the cityscape--Shenzhen-- is home to some of the most modern buildings worldwide. Although this area is largely industrial, it offers many tourist attractions, such as the Chinese folk Culture Village, Safari Park, and beach resorts. Perhaps one of the most frequented tourist attractions is Window of the World, which offers replicas of the Eiffel tower, the pyramids, and Taj Mahal.

深圳市,简称“深”,别称鹏城,是中国广东省辖地级市、副省级市、国家计划单列市,同时也是一座超大城市。它位于中国南部沿海地区,毗邻香港,东临大亚湾和大鹏湾,西濒珠江口和伶仃洋。深圳市是中国改革开放的重要窗口和新兴移民城市,被誉为“中国硅谷”,并全力建设中国特色社会主义先行示范区、综合性国家科学中心和全球海洋中心城市。深圳市的文化底蕴深厚,是深港文化之源,拥有丰富的历史遗迹和文化遗产。同时,深圳也是现代文化的代表,汇聚了众多科技创新企业和教育资源,是国内外游客喜爱的旅游目的地之一。无论是古老的历史文化还是现代化的城市风貌,深圳市都是一个值得探索和体验的城市。


VISA APPLICATION TIPS

To make sure you have enough time to prepare, please apply the visa as early as you can. For most attendees, it is easier to apply for a Tourist ("L") visa; an invitation letter is NOT required for obtaining a Tourist visa.

When entering mainland China you’ll need a pre-arranged visa (unless you’re from Japan, Brunei, or Singapore) which you can arrange at a Chinese embassy or consulate anywhere in the world. The most commonly issued visa is an L (Tourist) Visa which is valid for a duration scaling from 30 days to one year for visitors. Prices are always fluctuating but expect to pay between $60-$130 depending on current rates and your nationality. Other types of visas include:

  • F (Short term work) Visa – Designated for business trips, interships, or short study. You’re formally required an invitation letter however you can bypass this stipulation by getting the visa in Hong Kong or Macau from one of many travel agencies.
  • Z (Long term work) Visa – Multiple-entry, long duration visas which are for people employed full-time in China. Requires a lot of paperwork and a hospital visit for a physical examination.
  • X (Student) Visa – Six month, one-year, or longer duration depending on the length of your study commitment.
  • L (Tourist) Visa – 30 to 90 day durations, generally for multiple entry, from anywhere from one year to ten years, depending on your nationality and the type of visa which you request. The length of your tourist visa will depend on your specific circumstances, and luck is often a factor.

With the visa rules and regulations changing as often as they do, you’re best off contacting a Chinese consulate directly to make sure you’re getting totally accurate information. To give you an idea of the fluctuations, a year ago tourist visas weren’t being issued and now they’ve resumed operation including up to one-year duration.

For more information check the Chinese Embassy website in your country