Release Date: 2025-08-15

    Information Source: Chinese Government Website

    Premier Li Qiang recently signed a State Council decree announcing the "Decision of the State Council on Amending the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners" (hereinafter referred to as the "Decision"), which will take effect on October 1, 2025.

    The Decision consists of 2 articles, stipulating the following:

    *   Establishes the new K visa category within ordinary visas, issued to foreign young scientific and technological talents entering China.

    *   Stipulates that applicants for the K visa must meet the conditions and requirements for foreign young scientific and technological talents as defined by the relevant competent departments of the Chinese government and submit corresponding proof materials.

    What are the categories of ordinary visas?

    According to the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, ordinary visas are divided into the following categories, marked with corresponding Chinese Pinyin letters on the visa:

    (C) C Visa, issued to crew members of international trains, international aircraft, and international vessels performing operational duties, their accompanying family members, and drivers engaged in international road transport.

    (D) D Visa, issued to those entering China for permanent residence.

    (F) F Visa, issued to those entering China for exchanges, visits, inspections, etc.

    (G) G Visa, issued to those transiting through China.

    (J1) J1 Visa, issued to foreign resident correspondents of foreign news agencies permanently stationed in China; J2 Visa, issued to foreign journalists entering China for short-term news coverage.

    (K) K Visa, issued to foreign young scientific and technological talents entering China.

    (L) L Visa, issued to those entering China for tourism; group L visas may be issued to tourist groups.

    (M) M Visa, issued to those entering China for commercial trade activities.

    (Q1) Q1 Visa, issued to family members of Chinese citizens applying to enter China for family reunion and residence, and family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent resident status, as well as those applying to enter China for residence for foster care reasons; Q2 Visa, issued to relatives of Chinese citizens residing in China and relatives of foreigners with Chinese permanent resident status applying to enter China for short-term visits.

    (R) R Visa, issued to foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialists required by the state.

    (S1) S1 Visa, issued to spouses, parents, children under 18, parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work, study, etc., applying to enter China for long-term visits, and those needing to reside in China for other private affairs; S2 Visa, issued to family members of foreigners staying or residing in China for work, study, etc., applying to enter China for short-term visits, and those needing to stay in China for other private affairs.

    (X1) X1 Visa, issued to those applying to study long-term in China; X2 Visa, issued to those applying to study short-term in China.

    (Z) Z Visa, issued to those applying to work in China.