The C visa is for foreign crew members of international means of transportation—including aircraft, trains, ships, and motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport—as well as their accompanying family members.
Back to the overview of all China visas.
Who Qualifies
- Crew members of international airlines, shipping companies, and railways operating between China and other countries
- Motor vehicle drivers engaged in international cross-border transport
- Accompanying family members of the above crew
Required Documents
- Original passport (valid for at least 6 months, undamaged, with at least 2 blank visa pages)
- Completed Visa Application Form (COVA), filled out online, printed, and signed
- Recent passport photo (color, white background, 2″x2″ or 33x48mm, taken within the last 6 months)
- Guarantee letter from the transport company or employer
- Copy of previous Chinese visas and entry/exit stamps (if applicable, especially if issued in the past 2 years)
- Proof of legal stay/residence (if applying outside your country of citizenship)
- Additional documents as required by the consulate or embassy
Application Process
- Complete the COVA online visa application form and print all required pages
- Gather all required documents
- Book an appointment at your local Chinese embassy, consulate, or visa center (if required)
- Submit your application in person or via an authorized agent; provide fingerprints if required
- Wait for processing (typically 4–7 business days, but can vary)
- Collect your passport and visa or arrange for return by mail if available
Special Notes
- All fields in the application must be filled in; enter “N/A” for any non-applicable fields
- Job title and company name must be listed as required on the form
- Consular officers may request further documents or an interview