Ⅰ.Application Procedures
1. Fill in the online application form at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn, print the form and the confirmation page, and sign on item 9 of the form and the confirmation page. Please check the information on the application form carefully before submitting them together with other documents (see Item Ⅲ）at the Chinese Embassy. If there is any mistake, applicants may have to fill in the online application form again.
2. Make an appointment for visa application submission at https://avas.mfa.gov.cn .
3. Submit all the documents to the Chinese Embassy at the appointment time.
Applicants will be requested to have their fingerprints collected.The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprints collection:
1. Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70;
2. Applicants eligible for diplomatic, official and courtesy visas;
3. Applicants who already have their fingerprints collected within the past five years at the Chinese Embassy in Botswana with the same passport；
4. Applicants who suffer from 10 fingers mutilation or whose fingerprints cannot be collected.
The Chinese Embassy kindly requests that applicants shall have their fingerprints collected in person. Those who forge fingerprints or use other people's fingerprints will be denied entry into China and bear all the consequences incurred.
According to the Bilateral Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption between China and Botswana, Botswana diplomatic and official passport holders can enter mainland China without a visa and stay for no longer than 30days. If they plans to stay for more than 30 days, they will also need to apply for a visa.
Ⅱ.Office hours, processing time and fees
The Consular Section of Chinese Embassy accepts visa application from 9:00 to 12:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings (closed on public holidays). Normal service takes two open days,express service takes one open day. For example, if you submit the documents to the embassy on Monday, for normal service, you can collect the visa on Friday. And for express service, you can collect the visa on Wednesday.
For Botswana passport holders, the fee for normal service for a single entry visa is P400, a double entries visa is P600, and a multiple entries visa in half year is P800, a multipul visa in one year is P1200.
Visa express service fee is P310.
For urgent service with collection on the same day (for humanitarian needs only.), the applicant shall contact the embassy in advance, and submit medical reports, proofs of kinship to the embassy. The urgent service fee is P460.
For non-Botswana passport holders, please consult Consular Department of the Chinese Embassy for fees.
Ⅲ.Application documents
1. Original passport which is valid for at least another 6 months with at least two blank visa pages.
2. A photocopy of the passport information page which has been certified by Botswana Immigration.
3. Visa application form and the confirmation page with signatures.
4. One colored, bareheaded ID photo in 48mm x 33mm size. The photo should be recently taken (within 6 months).
5. Reservation of round-trip air ticket.
6. Applicants who apply for Chinese visa for the first time should submit either one of the following documents:
A) Bank Certificate of Deposit Balance(including the past 6 months bank statement);
B) BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form;
C) Certificate of Employment(detailing the salary and the length of employment );
D) Business Registration Certificate(if the applicant is the owner);
The documents submitted should prove that the applicants can bear their cost of the trip to China.
7. Applicants who have been to China before should provide photocopies of previous Chinese visas.
8. Non-Botswana applicants should provide both the original and the Immigration-certified copy of the residence permit in Botswana with at least six months of validity.
9. Additional documents for different visa types are listed below:
Visa Categories | Introduction | Required Documents |
C | Crew Visa | Guarantee letters issued by the foreign airlines or shipping companies, or invitation letters issued by the relevant organizations in China. |
D | Permanent Residence Visa | The original and a copy of Confirmation Form of Alien Permanent Residence Status in China issued by Ministry of Public Security. |
F | Visitor Visa for academic, cultural, scientific and other non-commercial activity visit. *Those who visit China for commercial entertainment performance or shows, should apply for Z visa. | Invitation letters issued by Chinese organizations or individuals.
|
G | Transit Visa | A confirm connected passenger tickets for transit to a third country or region by an international aircraft, ship or train via China. |
J1 | Journalist Visa for resident foreign journalists in China. | Visa notifications issued by the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and official letters from the applicant's employer. |
J2 | Journalist Visa for foreign journalists who visit China for temporary news coverage. | Visa notifications issued by the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry or other competent Chinese authorities and official letters from the applicant's employer. |
L | Tourist Visa | Travel itinerary and reservation of round-trip airline ticket and hotel, or Invitation Letter* (please see the remarks below) from China and the photocopy of the Chinese ID or foreign passport with a Chinese Residence Permit of the person who invites the applicant. |
M | Commercial Business Visa *Those who visit China for technical support, R&D, management or consulting etc., unless for any business activity regarding winning projects, or technical support or training for machinery equipment imported to China, or for any business activity for subsidiaries, branches or representative offices in China and will stay in China for less than 90 days, should apply for Z visa. *Those who visit China for film production (including advertisement and documentary), fashion shows (including car model, plane advertisement etc.), should apply for Z visa. | Invitation Letter* (please see the remarks below) issued by the commercial business partner in China.
|
Q1 | Family Reunion Visa for family members of Chinese Nationals or family members of foreign nationals with Chinese Permanent Resident Permit to stay in China for more than 180 days. | Invitation letter * (please see the remarks below) from relative in China and a photocopy of his/her personal ID photocopy or Chinese Permanent Resident Permit, and original and photocopy of proofs of kinship. |
Q2 | Family Visitor Visa for family members of Chinese Nationals or family members of foreign nationals with Chinese Permanent Resident Permit to stay in China for less than 180 days. | Invitation letter * (please see the remarks below) from relative in China and a photocopy of his/her personal ID or Chinese Permanent Resident Permit. |
R | Professional Talent Visa | Visa notices issued by competent organizations in China. |
S1 | a) Dependent Visa for family members of foreign nationals who work, study in China to stay in China for more than 180 days. b) Visitor Visa for personal affairs to stay in China for more than 180 days. | a) Invitation letter * (please see the remarks below) from relatives in China and a photocopy of his/her personal passport, Residence Permit for Aliens, and original and copy of proofs of kinship. b) Documents supporting the purpose of visit. |
S2 | a) Family Visitor Visa for family members of foreign nationals who work, study in China to stay in China for less than 180 days. b) Visitor visa for personal affairs to stay in China for less than 180 days. | a) Invitation letter * (please see the remarks below) from relatives in China and a photocopy of his/her personal passport, Residence Permit for Aliens, and copy of proofs of kinship. b) Documents supporting the purpose of visit. |
X1 | Study Visa for studying in China for more than 180 days. | The original and copy of admission letter, and Visa Application for Study in China Form ( JW-201/202 , DQ form). Foreign physical examination certification of recent six months (if needed by enrolling party). |
X2 | Study Visa for studying in China for less than 180 days. | The original and copy of Admission Notice from China. |
Z | Work visa: * Those who visit China for technical support, R&D, management or consulting etc., unless for any business activity regarding winning projects, or technical support or training for machinery equipment imported to China, or for any business activity for subsidiaries, branches or representative offices in China and will stay in China for less than 90 days. * Those who visit China for film production (including advertisement and documentary), fashion shows (including car model, plane advertisement etc.). *Those who visit China for commercial entertainment performance or shows. * Coaches, athletes who visit China for a trial for the purpose to be hired. | The original and copy of Employment Permit for Foreigner / Foreign Expert Permit / Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit(copy is acceptable)/ Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Office/ Approval for Commercial Performance. * Commercial entertainment performance or shows for less than 90 days: The original and copy of Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in P. R. China and Approval for performance issued by a competent Cultural Department/Bureau. * Other short-term working for less than 90 days: The original and copy of Employment Permit for Foreigner and Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in P. R. China issued by a competent Department/Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security in China. |
*Remarks of the Invitation Letter
The above mentioned invitation letter must contain the following information:
1) Information of the applicant : full name, gender, date of birth, etc.
2) Information on the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.
3) Information on the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual.
The invitation letter may be in the form of photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original invitation letter.
The proofs of kinship refers to marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Chinese Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship.
Ⅳ Special reminder
1. When necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide more supporting documents, or require the applicant for an interview.
2. The consular officer decides on matters regarding whether to issue a visa or not, the validity period, duration of stay and number of entries of the visa, which may be different from those in the visa application submitted by the applicant.
3. According to the relevant Chinese law and regulation and international practices, the consular officer is not required to give any reason for rejecting the issuance of a visa.
4. After the visa is issued, the applicant should collect it in time. If the applicant does not come to collect the visa due to personal reasons, which may result in the expiration of the visa, the applicant shall be fully responsible for any consequences incurred.
5. The applicant should check the visa when picking up, and report to the pick-up window if there are any discrepancies.
6. The J1,S1,X1,Z visa is one-time entry with a validity of three months. Applicants who hold a J1, S1, X1 or Z visa should get a residence permit at Chinese Public Security Bureaus within 30 days after they arrive in China.
For inquires, please contact +267-3938682 (workdays 8:30-12:00,14:30-17:00) or email to gaborone@csm.mfa.gov.cn .
The Chinese Embassy in Botswana
8th May,2023