在华签证延期：去哪办、要什么材料、多久出结果

English

Extending a China Visa Inside the Country: Where, What and How Long

If you entered China on an ordinary visa and your permitted stay is not long enough, you can apply inside China to the exit-entry administration of the public security authority to extend your visa stay period. This guide explains where to apply, the deadline, the documents required, the maximum extension available, processing time and fees.

• What it is: After entering China on an ordinary visa, a foreign national who needs to stay longer for reasons other than diplomatic or official purposes may apply for a visa extension. The legal basis is the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners.
• The deadline (most important): You must apply to the exit-entry administration of the public security authority at least seven days before the stay period stated on your visa expires. The law also provides that if an extension is not granted, you must leave China by the end of the permitted stay.
• Where to apply: The National Immigration Administration entrusts exit-entry administrations of public security authorities at or above the prefecture-city level (including districts and counties of municipalities directly under the Central Government) with accepting and issuing foreign visa documents. With the approval of the National Immigration Administration on the request of a provincial exit-entry administration, a county-level exit-entry administration may also accept applications under entrustment. Applications should generally be made in person.
• When someone else may apply for you: This is possible where the applicant is under 16 or 60 and over, or has difficulty moving because of illness; where it is not the applicant's first entry and they have a good record of stay and residence in China; or where the inviting entity or individual guarantees the applicant's expenses during their stay in China. In these cases the inviting entity or individual, a relative, or a specialised service agency may apply on the applicant's behalf.
• Basic documents: a valid passport or other international travel document; a completed foreigner's visa document application form with one recent photo meeting the standards of the Photo Guidelines for Exit-Entry Documents; supporting documents relating to the purpose of the application; and any other formalities or documents required. Originals of supporting documents may be presented for verification, with copies retained.
• Supporting documents by visa category (selected): L (tourist) visa holders submit their travel itinerary, and group tourists must also submit a letter from the travel agency. M (business) visa holders submit a letter from the inviting or hosting entity or individual. F (exchange and visit) visa holders submit a certification letter from the inviting or hosting entity. X2 (short-term study) visa holders submit a letter confirming enrolment from the educational or training institution in China. Q2 (short-term family visit) visa holders submit a letter from the person being visited, that person's identity document, and proof or a declaration of the family relationship.
• Maximum extension by visa category: C — up to 30 days; F — up to 180 days; G — up to 30 days; J2 — up to 30 days; L — up to 30 days; M — up to 180 days; Q2 — up to 180 days; R — up to 180 days; S2 — up to 180 days for family visitors and up to 90 days for others; X2 — up to 180 days.
• Cumulative limit: Extensions may not cumulatively exceed the stay period originally stated on the visa. In other words, an extension lengthens the stay within the period written on the visa, and total stay cannot exceed that stated period.
• Processing time: If the application meets the acceptance conditions it must be accepted on the spot and a receipt issued. The receipt is valid for no more than seven working days from the date of acceptance, and the exit-entry administration makes its decision on issuance within that period. An approved visa must be collected in person at the exit-entry administration against the acceptance receipt.
• Fees (non-reciprocal countries): single-entry visa CNY 160 per person; double-entry CNY 206; triple-entry CNY 313; half-year multiple-entry (including half a year) CNY 413; one-year (including one year) multiple-entry CNY 619; adding or removing an accompanying person CNY 160. Reciprocal countries are charged according to the applicable standard.
• Refusals and common reasons: An application will not be approved where the applicant falls under Article 21 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners. In practice the most common reasons for refusal are applying less than seven days before the stay period expires, a purpose of stay that does not match the visa category or insufficient supporting documents, and a cumulative extension that would exceed the stay period originally stated on the visa.
• Interviews and verification: The exit-entry administration may verify the authenticity of the stated purpose through interviews, telephone enquiries or on-site investigation, and will confirm the applicant's foreign nationality. If the applicant or the relevant entity or individual is notified for an interview but fails to attend within the agreed time without good reason, the visa document may lawfully not be issued.

Note in particular that timing is the crux of an extension application: it must be filed at least seven days before the stay period stated on the visa expires. If you are already close to or past that date, it is no longer an extension matter and may amount to illegal residence. Under Article 78 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, illegal residence by a foreign national draws a warning and, in serious cases, a fine of CNY 500 for each day of illegal residence up to a total of CNY 10,000, or detention of between five and fifteen days.

Also note that an extension lengthens the permitted stay only; it does not change the visa category. If you want to change the purpose of your stay while in China (for example from tourism to work or study), the route is a visa change or an application for the relevant document, not an extension. Whether that applies in your case is determined by the accepting authority.

The above is general guidance only. For specific requirements and the latest rules, please refer to official announcements.

References

• 国家移民管理局政务服务平台：外国人签证延期、换发、补发审批服务指南
• 国家移民管理局：中华人民共和国出境入境管理法（全文）
• 国家移民管理局政务服务平台：申请外国人签证
• 国家移民管理局