admin 
Chinese visa and immigration policies often change without much prior notice. Recently, there have been some changes to help standardize the way visas are issued.
The new regulations state that foreigners who have left their jobs or changed work locations, must promptly report to the exit-entry management agencies of local public security organs at or above the county level.
China has now created 12 visa types that all have a specific purpose, yet again to clear up any confusion for visitors or temporary residents.
The 12 types are below:
C Visa
Applicable to train attendants, air crew members and seamen operating international services, and to their accompanying family members
D Visa
Applicable to foreigners who are to reside permanently in China
F Visa
Applicable to foreigners who come to China for exchanges, visits and inspections
G Visa
Applicable to foreigners who transit through China
J Visa
J-1 Visa: Applicable to resident foreign journalists in China (long term stay – more than 180 days)
J-2 Visa: Applicable to foreign journalists who make short trips to China for reporting tasks (short term stay – less than or equal to 180 days)
L Visa
Applicable to overseas tourists (those traveling with tour groups can be issued a group L Visa)
M Visa
Applicable to foreigners who come to China for business or commercial activities
Q Visa
Q-1 Visa: Applicable to foreigners who apply for entry into China for family reunification with Chinese relatives or foreigners with permanent residency in China, as well as to those who need to visit China for adoption issues (long term stay – more than 180 days)
Q-2 Visa: Applicable to foreigners who come to China for a temporary visit to Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residency in China (short term stay – less than or equal to 180 days)
R Visa
Applicable to senior-level foreign talents and foreign nationals whose special skills are urgently needed in China
S Visa
S-1 Visa: Applicable to spouses, parents, parents-in-law and children under 18 years old of foreigners who stay in China for study or working purposes, and to foreigners who need to reside in China for other personal reasons (long term stay – more than 180 days)
S-2 Visa: Applicable to family members of foreigners who stay in China for study or working purposes, and to foreigners who need to reside in China for other personal reasons (short term stay – less than or equal to 180 days)
X Visa
X-1 visa is applicable to foreigners who come to China for a long-term study period (more than 180 days)
X-2 visa is applicable to foreigners who come to China for a short-term study period (less than or equal to 180 days)
Z Visa
Applicable to foreigners who apply to work in China
