I. Main types of visas
Visa | Description |
L | Issued to those who intend to go to China for tourism. |
M | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China |
Q1 | Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. "Family members" refer to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. |
Q2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. |
S1 | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. |
S2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. "family members" refer to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. |
X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. |
R | Issued to High-level talents |
*For diplomatic and service visas, please contact the embassy directly via phone or email.
II. Visa Application Process 1. Determine the type of visa.2.Fill out the visa application form online by visiting https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn, after completion print out and sign the form.
3.Book an appointment online via https://avas.mfa.gov.cn using the Application ID on your printout visa application form to obtain a preferred date and time to submit visa application documents to the Embassy.
4.Download the checklist of application materials for the corresponding visa type (check the appendix at the end of the notification), and prepare materials according to the checklist.5.Submit your visa application documentsaccording to the appointed date and time.
*Important Tips for online COVA visa form filling
1. Please carefully read the prompts and requirements of the COVA form system, and complete the entries of the visa application COVA online form step by step, making sure that the information is true, accurate and complete. Please note: Once the application form has been submitted, it cannot be modified in any way.
2. Basic personal information. Surname, given names, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport type, etc. must be exactly the same as those on the passport information page, otherwise your visa application will be returned.
3. Completely fill in the work experience and educational background
4. Printing and signing. After completing the COVA online form filling, you must print out the full set of application forms. All the pages of the forms must be printed to turn in, the signature and date on the Confirmation Page and the 8th page of Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China must be handwritten by the applicant him/herself. Visa applications for persons under the age of 18 must be signed by their guardians at the "For persons filling in the application on the applicant’s behalf" section.
III Important Reminders
1. Opening Hours of Visa Office
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (8:30am-12:00am,14:30pm-17:30 pm), except on holidays.
2. Processing Time and Fees Standard
Regular service: 5working days，USD100.00 per Ghanian passport.
Express service: 3working days，USD25.00 additional to regular fee.
*It does not include the time for submitting supporting materials, consulting or verifying information with China, or delays caused by force majeure.Express service requires consular officer’s consent。
3. Payment
Before picking up your visa, applicants should only pay visa fees at the designatedbank with CASH ONLY.
Ecobank Labone Branch：47 Labone Cres, Accra
Ecobank Silver Star Branch：Liberation Road, Accra
4. Contact Us
If you have questions or queries, please contact us at 00233-302964856/302949896（08:30am-12:00am, 14:30pm-17:30 pm on working days）
Email:accra@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Address: No.5A, 6th Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra.
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