The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to a foreigner according to his/her identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type. The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, F, X, Z, G, C, J, and D.

1. L Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for tourist purposes, family visiting or other personal affairs.

2. F Visa: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for conference, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges or short-term studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.

3. X Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for the purpose of studying or intern practice for more than six months.

4. Z Visa: Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and his/her accompanying family members, and who is to conduct commercial performance in China.

5. G Visa: Issued to those who transit through China.

6. C Visa: Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them.

7. J Visa: Issued to foreign journalists. J Visa is subdivided into J-1 Visa and J-2 Visa. J-1 Visa is issued to a foreign resident correspondent in China. J-2 Visa is issued to a foreign correspondent on temporary short term news report mission in China.

8. D Visa: Issued to applicant who is to reside permanently in China.

Information on Visa to Hong Kong S.A.R. and Macao S.A.R.:

British citizens may visit Hong Kong for up to180 dayswithout a visa, but visa is required for those to work, study, establish or join in any business or to take up residence. For visa requirements for foreign citizens, please visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department web site: http://www.info.gov.hk/immd

Citizens of U.K. and U.S. and other 53 countries may visit Macao without visas. Citizens from the other countries should apply for entry permit when they enter Macao. Please visit the Identification Department of Macao web site: http://www.dsi.gov.mo for details.