Apply for a crew visa (C-visa) for China

If you are traveling to China as a crew member of an airline, international railway line, ship, or truck driver, you will need a crew visa. When applying, you will need to prove the professional purpose of your entry, either with a letter from your employer or an invitation from the host country. Chinese authorities refer to the crew visa as a "C-visa".

The visa validity period for employees of railway, aviation, maritime companies, and truck drivers is determined by a certificate from the transportation company or an invitation from the Chinese authority. The permitted duration of stay is up to 30 days. Visas with unlimited entries (known as multiple-entry visas) are usually valid for six or twelve months. Documents regarding previous stays in China are required as a mandatory condition.

For the annual visa for crew members, an invitation from China approved by the ministry and stamped with an official round or oval seal is mandatory.

If you have a crew visa for pilots, flight attendants, or ship crew members, then in most cases you have the opportunity to invite your spouse, children, or other relatives. This is especially valuable for multi-day business trips to China. Accompanying persons receive a visa by crew invitation, which falls into the category of "S2 visa". Matching arrival and departure dates of travelers are important. In addition, accompanying relatives or friends must stay in the crew hotel.