2018 > Registration – Draft 20180214 > Press Registration – Draft 20180214 > Foreign Media – Without a J2 Visa – Draft

Foreign Media – Without a J2 Visa – Draft

Deadline: Friday, March 16, 2018

The Chinese Government has provided a legal framework governing foreign journalists and their work in China. Foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage of ABACE, with a duration of stay in China of no more than 180 days, must apply for a J2 visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. For security reasons, the local police will enforce this requirement at ABACE2018.

Foreign journalists who do not secure a J2 visa by the March 16 deadline will be prevented from covering ABACE by the local police.

In addition to the normal visa requirements, foreign journalists must have a Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works. The Visa Notification Letter and the official media letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout. An applicant may be required to submit an original invitation, provide other supporting documents, or schedule an interview with the consular officer. Applicants should contact the press office of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance and complete relevant formalities.

Be advised that the J2 visa application process can take weeks, so applicants are required by the Chinese government to contact the press office of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General at least 30 days in advance to complete the application process.

After obtaining a J2 visa, foreign journalists must submit detailed information by April 8, 2018, to FleishmanHillard Shanghai to request ABACE press registration. Learn more about this process.

Items Required for Obtaining a J2 Visa

  1. Passport
    The original, signed passport must have at least six months of remaining validity, blank visa pages, a copy of the passport’s data page and the photo page (if it is separate).
     
  2. Completed Visa Application Form
    The completed Visa Application Form must include a photo on glossy photo paper glued onto the form. Review photo requirements.
     
  3. For non-U.S, citizens – proof of legal stay or residence status
    The original and photocopy of your valid certificates or visa of stay, residence, employment status, or other valid certificates of legal stay must be provided by the relevant authorities of the country where you are currently staying.
     
  4. For foreign citizens who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship – photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas
    If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page. If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change.
     
  5. Visa Invitation and Consent Letter
    This is issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
     
  6. Notice and Certification letter
    This is issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.

Additional Notes

  • J2 visa applicants must guarantee that all information provided in the application is true and correct. Any false, misleading or incomplete information may result in denial of the visa or refusal of entry into China.
  • The Visa Notification Letter and the official media letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout. An applicant may be required to submit an original invitation, provide other supporting documents, or schedule an interview with the consular officer.
  • The consular officer will make decisions on whether or not to grant a visa and allowed validity, duration of stay and number of entries based on individual application.
  • Applicants should contact the press office of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General at least 30 days in advance to complete the J2 visa application process.
  • After obtaining a J2 visa, foreign journalists must submit detailed information by April 8, 2018, to FleishmanHillard Shanghai to request ABACE press registration. Learn more about this process.

Resources for Obtaining J2 Visas