Step-by-Step Instructions for Smooth Immigration. By adhering to the following norms, business people can reduce their clearance time to less than 15 minutes and avoid additional scrutiny due to incorrect filling.
1. Block Letters Only
- Requirement: Use black pen, print all letters in uppercase (A-Z).
- Name Format:
❌ Avoid: John Smith (no separation)SURNAME: [FAMILY NAME] GIVEN NAME: [FIRST NAME] - Date Format: Day/Month/Year (e.g., 25/03/2025), not MM/DD.
Business Tip:
- COMPANY: Match the inviting Chinese firm’s name on your invitation letter.
- Visa Type: Mark “F” for business (not “L” for tourism).
2. Avoid Sensitive Occupations
Red Flag Words (with alternatives):
| Risky Term | Why? | Safer Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Journalist | Requires pre-approval | Marketing Consultant |
| Political Analyst | Sensitive sector | Business Strategist |
| NGO Coordinator | Local registration needed | Project Director |
Rule: Focus on commercial roles like “Engineer,” “Manager,” or “Consultant.”
3. Mandatory Local Emergency Contact
- Must provide a China-based phone number (+86 prefix).
- Recommended Contacts: ▶ Your Chinese counterpart: +86 138-XXXX-XXXX (Mr. Wang, ABC Company) ▶ Hotel reception: +86 21-XXXX-XXXX (Shangri-La Shanghai)
If No Contact?
- Use the inviter’s number from your invitation letter.
- Temporary option: Airport hotline +86 10-96158 (Beijing) with “TEMPORARY” note.
4. Additional Tips for Business Travelers
- Purpose of Visit: Uniformly write “BUSINESS” (avoid technical jargon).
- Accommodation Address: Full hotel address (e.g., 88 Century Ave, Pudong, Shanghai).
- Signature: Match your passport signature (use English name for consistency).
5. Common Mistakes & Fixes
Mistake 1: Occupation “Investor” ▶ Issue: May require financial proof. ▶ Fix: Use “Corporate Investment Advisor.”
Mistake 2: Overseas emergency contact (+1 XXX-XXX) ▶ Issue: Delays for correction. ▶ Prevention: Request a local contact from your Chinese partner in advance.
Final Checklist ✅
- ✔️ All letters in BLOCK CAPITALS
- ✔️ Occupation aligned with your visa type (Visa F)
- ✔️ Emergency contact is +86 number
- ✔️ Signature matches passport