I. Application Procedure
a)Fill in the visa application form online (https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/).
b) After submitting your application on the website https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/, the Embassy may request additional documents. Please check the "Track My Application" section to stay updated on the processing status.
c) If the "Track My Application" in the system shows "Passport to be submitted", the applicants can come to the Embassy in person during the office hours(Fridays, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM) with their Passport (For those who once held Chinese nationality and later joined a foreign nationality, Original Chinese passport should be brought). No need to bring other materials. But all required materials should be uploaded to the system.
d) All applicants are requested to go to the Embassy in person for fingerprints collection.
*The following applicants can be exempt from fingerprints collection.
1. Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70;
2. Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for diplomatic, official and courtesy visas;
3. Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past
five years at the Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas with the same passport；
4. Applicants with all fingers mutilated or uncollectible.
To further facilitate visa applicants, from 2 September 2024 to 31 December 2025, fingerprinting is exempted for all applicants for short-stay Chinese visas not exceeding 180 days for one or two entries.
Please note: According to the Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement between the People’s Republic of China and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Bahamian citizens have been eligible for visa-free entry to China for up to 30 days since 12 February 2014. For stays within 30 days, no visa application or fingerprint collection is required.
II. VisaTypes and Required Documents
a) Passport (with more than 6 months’ validity and at least 2 blank visa pages).
b) Original Chinese passport or original Chinese visa (for those who once held Chinese nationality and later joined a foreign nationality).
c) A certificate of lawful stay and residence permit in The Bahamas for foreigners from the third countries.
d) Other documents required by the Embassy.
Visa Types | Description | Required Documents |
L Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for tourism | Round-trip air tickets and hotel orders (name and personal information of the applicant must be included); Or invitation letters issued by a relevant entity (e.g. a travel agency) or an individual inside China (photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual must be included) (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) |
M Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities | An invitation letter issued by a commercial or trade partner in China (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) |
F Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities | An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter)
|
Z Visa | Issued to those who intend to work in China. | Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners |
X1 Visa | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. | 1. Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202) 2. Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China |
X2 Visa | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. | Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China. |
S1 Visa | 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. | 1. Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page and and residence permit 2. An invitation letter from the inviting individual - a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies (Please refer to Annex 3 for the contents of the invitation letter) 3. Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting individual.
*In case of other personal affairs, relevant supporting materials shall be provided upon request. |
S2 Visa | 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" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | 1. Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page, residence permit or visa. 2. An invitation letter from the inviting individual - a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies (Please refer to Annex 3 for the contents of the invitation letter) 3. Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting individual.
*In case of other personal affairs, relevant supporting materials shall be provided upon request.
|
Q1 Visa | 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" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
| 1. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residencepermit who lives in China. (Please refer to Annex 3 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2. Original and photocopy of certification showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual. (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate)
3. Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual; Or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner’s passport and the permanent residence permit (front and back).
|
Q2 Visa | 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. | 1. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China; (Please refer to Annex 3 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2. Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual; Or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner’s passport and the permanent residence permit (front and back).
|
R Visa | Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China. | Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents
|
C Visa | Crew Visa | Guarantee letters issued by foreign transportation companies, or invitation letters issued by the relevant organizations in China |
D Visa | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. | The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Status |
G Visa | Issued to those who intend to transit throughChina | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region |
J1/J2 visa | Issued to journalists | Notice from competent authorities |
Annex 1 Important Tips for onlinevisa form filling
(1) Please carefully read the prompts and requirements of the form system, and complete the entries of the visa application online form step by step, making sure that the information is true, accurate and complete.
(2) Please select Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas as thelocationfor submitting the visa application.
(3) 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.
(4) If you were born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), you must provide your original Chinese name in Chinese characters in the application form.
Annex 2 Contents of M，F and L Visa Invitation Letter
(1) Personal information of the invitee: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
(2) Information about the invitee’s visit to China: reason for coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting unit or inviter, who will pay for the travel, etc.
(3) Inviting party information: inviting party name, address, telephone number, official seal, legal representative or inviter’s signature, date, etc. (the information must be included in the text of the invitation letter)
Annex 3 Contents of S1, S2, Q1, Q2 Visa Invitation Letter
Inviter’s name XX, gender X, date of birth: XX, Chinese ID number XXX (or foreign passport number XX, Chinese permanent residence card number XX), current address in China is XX, contact phone number XX, email XX.
I hereby invite the following relatives to visit China for a short-term visit/long-term residence. He/She plans to go to China on XX, and stay in China for XX days.
Invitee information: name XX, gender X, date of birth XX, nationality XX, passport number XX, and the relative relationship with the inviter is XX.
Inviter's signature: Date:
III. Fees, Processing Time and Payments
Regular Service
Regular service: 4 business days. Collection is on the next Friday after the passport submitted to the Embassy.
Methods of Payment
You must pay your visa fee upon collection. Only credit or debit card is accepted. No cash.
IV. Contact Us
Address: Shirley Street East, Nassau, The Bahamas
Office hours: 9:30-12:00 of each Friday (closed on holidays)
Email: nassau@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Tel: +1-242-3931960ext. 8006 or 8013(9:00-12:00; 14:30-17:00, Monday to Friday)