Visa
GNN2024 will take place in Xi'an, international participants should be particularly aware of and careful about visas. Please plan your travel in advance and allow plenty of time to apply for a visa.
General FAQs on Visa application
What is a Chinese visa?A Chinese visa is a travel authorization document usually required by China for entering its borders, which is issued by a Chinese embassy or consulate, affixed in your passport.
Do I need a Chinese visa?
Usually most foreigners traveling to mainland China, whether for business or pleasure, require a visa. It's very difficult to obtain a Chinese port visa at the Chinese border entry points. However, some cities and regions of China are visa free in certain circumstances.
According to bilateral agreements signed or reached between China and relevant countries, some countries that meet specific conditions are exempt from visa application when visiting China.
*Important Notice:
1. From 0:00 on December 1, 2023 to 24:00 on November 30, 2024, holders of ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting friends and relatives and transit for no more than 15 days, except these three cases below that still need to apply for visas to China before entering the country: (1). not meeting the visa exemption reasons; (2). not meet visa exemption time limits; (3). holders of official passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
For detailed information, please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and nearest Chinese Embassies.
2. As per the information released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on January 25th, 2023: The mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Singapore officially came into effect on February 9th, 2024. From 0:00 on February 9th, 2024, holders of ordinary passports from both countries are permitted to enter the other country for private affairs such as tourism, visiting relatives, and business, without obtaining a visa, with a stay not exceeding 30 days. For activities that require prior approval, such as working or news reporting, and for stays intended to last longer than 30 days in the other country, the relevant visa must be obtained before entering the respective country.
When to apply for a Chinese visa?
It is recommended to apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel.
Documents Required to Apply for a Visa
Participants are recommended to apply for Tourist Visa. The following are the minimum for a tourist (L) visa application. Other documents or requirements may be necessary, especially if you are not applying for the usual L (tourist) visa. For detailed information, please consult the Chinese Embassy in your country.
1. Passports:
With at least two blank visa pages (amendment pages and pages with bar codes are not acceptable for visa stamping), valid for at least 6 months.
2. Visa Application Forms and Photos:
• One completed, signed visa application form for each passport, with appropriate visa fee and any supporting information required.
• Two passport photos (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 35mm x 45mm.
When you have the required items ready, submit the application at the appropriate visa office of the Chinese embassy/consulate-general, or Visa Application Center in your country.
If you cannot go in person, you can entrust someone else to drop off the visa application, or a travel/visa agency to help handle your visa application.
How do I extend my Chinese visa?
Foreigners who want to stay in China beyond the duration of their visa need to apply for an extension. The visa extension application form should be submitted to the Local Public Security Bureau 7 days before the expiration date of the visa.
Visitors who want their visa to be extended should provide the following evidential materials:
• Valid passport and visa
• A completed application form for visa extension
• Reason for the extension
The length of the extension depends on the type of visa and multiple entry visas cannot be extended.
You are advised not to overstay the duration of your visa or fail to apply for an extension before your visa expires as you risk for being heavily fined and have your travel plans disrupted. Please contact your travel advisor for assistance with visa extensions.
For detailed information, please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and nearest Chinese Embassies.
Some Chinese Embassies websites are listed below:
Notes:
1. Conference Organizing Committee cannot issue visas to attend the conference but can issue an Invitation letter to assist with your visa application. If you need the Invitation letter from the conference, please send the following information to info@gnnconf.org:
- Your full name as it appears on your passport
- Gender (Male / Female)
- Nationality
- Date of Birth: (e.g. March 25, 1960)
- Passport No.:
- Your paper number if you are an author
2. Please be noted that an invitation letter will only be issued upon confirmation of registration and after full payment for registration fees has been received. Invitation letters are only issued via email in PDF format and will be sent within approximately one week after your information is received by the Organizing Committee.