A . Please read the following guides carefully before submitting your application:
- The China Online Visa Processing System is launched by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Malta from March 31st, 2025. (https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/) . The original China online Visa Application (COVA) is taken offline on April 7.
The applicants are required to register and log in to the China Online Visa Processing System, accurately and completely fill out the application form, submit the form and necessary documents online, and then wait for the preliminary review.
After the approval of online visa preliminary review, the applicants can come to the Embassy to submit the passport and qualified photo (if not passed in the process of application), and collect fingerprints without making an appointment.
If necessary, the consular officer may request the applicant to provide additional supporting documents or supplementary materials based on the circumstances, or require an interview with the applicant.
2. The ordinary passport holders of Malta is exempted from visa to enter China and stay for no more than thirty(30) days for the purposes of business, tourism, family visit, exchanges and transit until December 31st, 2025.
For more information on unilateral visa exemption policies, please refer to: http://mt.china-embassy.gov.cn/lsqw/zgqz/202412/t20241219_11505226.htm
For more information on bilateral visa exemptions between China and foreign countries, please refer to: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zlbg/bgzl/lhqz/202412/t20241230_11523760.shtml
3. Any false or incomplete information, or fake documents, may lead to visa refusal or being denied entry to China.The Chinese Embassy in Malta reserve the right to interpret, amend and change the Chinese Visa requirements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China. We also reserve the right to review, delay, refuse and cancel your visa without providing specific reasons. Base on the individual circumstances, the validity of a visa, length of stay and number of entries are decided on a case-by-case basis. The Chinese Embassy in Malta is not liable for any financial losses resulting from any of the above scenarios.
You are fully responsible and liable when your visa becomes invalid or unused due to change of personal or unforeseen circumstances. The Chinese Embassy in Malta will not refund any fee in relation to your visa application.
4. After the visa application is submitted online, it normally takes 1 to 2 working days for the preliminary review and feedback. After the applicants come to the Embassy and submit the passport and other materials, it normally takes 4 to 5 working days to process visa applications and produce the visa. The processing time will be prolonged if the materials are incomplete or some matters need to verify and we will contact you to inform the processing time. For special or emergent reason, you may request express service with the approval of a consular officer. The Embassy does not provide mailing services or the direct payment within the system.
B. Steps to apply for a visa to China
STEP ONE: Prepare Documents
Please read Part C "Materials and documents required for China visa application" carefully and prepare relevant materials and documents as required.
STEP TWO: Complete China Online Visa Application Form
Please log in to and complete your China Online Visa Application Form through the China Online Visa Application system (https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/). After registering and logging in to your email address, please click “Step-by-step Guidance” to learn more about visa application process through guidance, and then click “Start an Application” to apply and submit.
Please note:
Each applicant (including minors) is required to complete the online application form.
Your visa application will be submitted successfully only after you click “Confirm and Submit” shown below. In the “Track My Application” of the system, it is displayed as “In checking...Please follow up your application”.
STEP THREE: Waiting for the Approval
Please check the assessing result of your application. The assessing result will be shown in the system after one to two working days. Applicant can find the assessing result in Track My Application once submitting the application. You can modify the application form or reload missing docs in “Track My Application” once you need.
The Embassy of China in Malta will only notify the applicant in the system whether the visa application is approved or not. Under certain circumstances, the Embassy will contact the applicant for some questions. Please be sure to pay attention to your email and phone number that you left when applying for the visa.
STEP FOUR: Submit passports and other documents
There is no need to make an appointment to submit passports and other documents. If the "Track My Application" in the system shows "Passport to be submitted", you can come to the Embassy in person during the office hours of the Embassy (Karmnu Court, Lapsi Street, St. Julian’s: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00-12:00 in the morning).
The following application materials must be submitted when arriving at the Embassy.
1. Original passport.
2. A recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a white background.
(Click the following links for standard sample)
http://is.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/qz/201903/P020210702733193683439.jpg
3. Proof of legal stay or residence status in Malta (applicable to applicants from third countries).
4. Previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to those who once had Chinese nationality and later became a foreign national).
5. Other application materials required by the Embassy (If applicable).
STEP FIVE: Payment and Collection
The applicant will be given a pickup form for payment when submitting passport at the embassy. They need to bring the pickup form and payment proof ofvisaapplication to collect passport on or after the issuing date.
If the applicant is unable to collect the passport and visa in person, they may authorize someone else to do so on their behalf. The authorized person is required to present their photo ID, the pickup form and payment proof.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Visa Fee Should Be Paid By BankTransfer.
C. Materials and documents required for China visa application:
1. Basic Documents
(1) Passport
Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages.
(2)A recently-taken color passport photo against a white background.
(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status
If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, it is required to provide the original Maltese ID card or valid visa of stay, residence, employment or student status.
(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizensthose who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)
2. Supporting Documents
Other documents required for different visa types are listed as follows:
Visa Type | Purpose | Required Documents |
L | Tourist | Itinerary documents including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by an entity or individual in China |
M | Business and trade | An invitation letter issued by a trading partner in China |
F | Non-commercial activities such as exchanges, visits, and study tours | An invitation letter issued by the relevant entity or individual in China |
Z | Work | The original of the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners or the Work Permit for Foreigners |
X1 | Long-term study (for more than 180 days) | (1) A photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202) and the original or a photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by the school in China (2) The original or a photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Elementary-Stage Foreign Students to Study in China, if the applicant is a foreign student of the primary/elementary or junior/senior high school level |
X2 | Short-term study (for no more than 180 days) | The original or a photocopy of the Admission Notice issued by the receiving institution in China |
Q1 | Family reunion (for more than 180 days) for family members of Chinese citizens, or family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent resident status , and for those who intend to enter and stay in China for the purpose of foster care
“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, and granddaughters. | (1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent resident status residing in China (2) A photocopy of the inviter’s Chinese ID card or foreign passport and the permanent resident ID card (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter
|
Q2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180 days) to a relative who is a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with Chinese permanent resident status residing in China | (1) An invitation letter issued by the Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent resident status residing in China (2) A photocopy of the Chinese ID card or the foreign passport and the permanent resident ID card of the inviter |
S1 | Long-term family visit (for more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a spouse, parent, son or daughter under the age of 18, or parent-in-law, or long-term stay in China for other private affairs | (1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing in China) (2) A photocopy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter
|
S2 | Short-term family visit (for no more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a family member, or short-term stay in China for other private affairs
“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, and granddaughters. | For family visits: (1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing in China) (2) A photocopy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit (3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter For other private affairs: relevant documents as required |
R | High-level foreign talents or foreigners whose skills are urgently needed in China. | Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talents |
C | Foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships. | (1) Guarantee Letter from the foreign transport company or an invitation letter from a relevant entity in China (2) Crew card |
D | Applicants who intend to reside in China permanently | Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s Permanent Resident Status |
G | Applicants who intend to transit through China | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date to the destination country or region |
J1 | Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China |
J2 | Foreign journalists who intend to enter China for short-term news coverage | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized entities in China |