Q1：Are port visas in China the same as what's typically referred to as "visas upon arrival"? What are the designated ports permitted to grant these port visas?
问一：中国的口岸签证是否与人们通常所指的“落地签证”相同？哪些特定口岸有权发放口岸签证？
A: The port visa of China is not the same as the "visa on arrival" that some countries offer. It's a method of processing entry visas, which is distinct from the concept of visa types like "business visa" or "tourist visa." Each country sets its own application conditions and procedures according to their legal regulations. In China, according to relevant laws, foreigners holding ordinary passports who need to enter the country due to emergency situations and are unable to obtain a regular visa at Chinese consulates abroad in time may apply for a port visa. Foreign nationals can apply on their own or through an inviting party by submitting an application to the issuing authority before arriving at the port, or they can apply directly to the visa authorities upon arrival at the port.
答：中国的口岸签证并非等同于某些国家提供的“落地签”，而是入境签证的一种办理方式，它与“商务签证”或“旅游签证”等是签证类型的概念有所不同。每个国家根据自身的法律规定，设定了不同的申请条件和程序。在中国，根据相关法律，持有普通护照的外国人如果因紧急情况需要入境，而来不及在中国境外的使领馆办理正规签证，可以申请口岸签证。外籍人士可以自己或通过邀请方，在抵达口岸前向签发机构提交申请，或者在到达口岸时直接向签证机关提出申请。
In order to ensure that foreign nationals can successfully apply for and obtain a port visa, thereby avoiding the inconvenience of being unable to enter China due to not meeting the visa issuance conditions or being denied entry upon arrival at the port, which could bring inconvenience to the journey or increase economic and time costs, it is recommended that applicants make a preliminary declaration to the visa authority of the destination port before arriving. They should proceed with entry procedures only after receiving preliminary approval. As for foreign tourist groups, the domestic travel agency responsible for receiving them should submit the application to the visa authorities at the designated port in advance.
为了确保外籍人士能够顺利申请并获得口岸签证，从而避免在到达口岸后因为不符合签证发放条件或不被允许入境的情形而无法进入中国，给旅程带来不便，或增加经济和时间成本，建议申请人在抵达口岸前，向目的地的口岸签证机关进行预先申报，并在获得初步审核同意后再前往办理入境手续。对于外国旅游团队来说，应由接待的国内旅行社提前向指定口岸的签证机关提交申请。
As of now, China has initiated port visa services at entry ports that are busy with international routes and see a significant number of foreign nationals entering. These services cover 99 open ports across 72 cities nationwide. If you need to know about the main port visa authorities and their contact information, you can visit the official website of the National Immigration Administration for inquiries.
截止到目前，中国已经在那些国际航线较为繁忙、外籍人员入境人数较多的口岸开展了口岸签证服务，这些服务涵盖了全国72个城市的99个对外开放口岸。如果您需要了解主要口岸签证机关及其联系方式，可以访问国家移民管理局的官方网站进行查询。
Q2: Under what circumstances can a visa be issued at the entry port when urgently visiting China?
问二：何种情况下紧急访问中国时可以办理入境口岸签证？
A: Foreign nationals carrying ordinary passports who urgently need to travel to China for business cooperation, exchange visits, investment and entrepreneurship, family visits, or other private emergency matters, or who need to urgently go to China for humanitarian reasons to deal with funerals, visit critically ill relatives, etc., and who do not have enough time to complete the visa procedures at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad, may apply to the visa departments at Chinese ports of entry for a temporary port visa.
答：携带普通护照的外国人士，若因商业合作、交流访谈、投资创业、亲情探视或其他私人紧急事项紧急需要前往中国，或因人道需要紧急赶赴中国处理丧事、看望病危亲人等，且时间紧迫无法提前在中国驻外使领馆完成签证手续的，可以向中国口岸签证部门提出申请，办理临时口岸签证。
Q3: What documentation is required to apply for a Chinese port visa?
问三：申办中国口岸签证需要提交哪些证明材料？
A: Foreign nationals who need to apply for a visa at the Chinese port visa department must provide a valid passport or other international travel documents, along with documentation that substantiates the urgent need to travel to China. Once approved, the applicant may enter through the port where the visa application was made. For example, if entry is for urgent business needs, the applicant should provide an invitation letter from the inviting party that details the business purpose, the emergency situation, the main activities planned, and other evidence related to the emergency situation. For specific requirements, one can consult the visa authorities at the anticipated port of entry.
答：外国人如需向中国口岸签证部门申请签证，必须提供有效的护照或其他国际旅行文件，并出示证实急需赴华事由的相关文件。一旦获得批准，申请人可以通过提出签证申请的口岸入境。例如，若是因紧迫的商务需求入境，申请人应当提供邀请方出具的详细解释商务目的、紧急情况、主要活动安排等内容的邀请函以及与紧急情况相关的证明文件。具体情况，可咨询预计抵达地点的口岸签证机关。
Q4: What types of visa extensions, replacements, or re-issuance can foreign nationals conveniently apply for while residing in China?
问四：外籍人士居留中国时，可便捷地在所在地申请哪些类型的签证续签、更换或补发呢？
A: Foreign individuals engaged in non-official activities, such as business cooperation, exchange visits, investment and entrepreneurship, visiting relatives and friends, as well as tourism, can conveniently apply for extensions of their business (M), visit (F), short-term private affairs (S2), temporary family visit (Q2) visas, or for the extension or re-issuance of tourist (L) visas at the Exit and Entry Administration Department of the Public Security Bureau in their place of residence, when there is a reasonable need to extend their stay in China.
答：从事非官方活动的国外人员，如商业合作、互访交流、投资创办企业、走访亲友以及旅游观光等，在合理情况下需要延长在华居留时，可以方便地向居住地的公安局出入境管理部门提出延长商务（M）、互访（F）、短期私人事宜（S2）、临时家访（Q2）签证，或是对旅游（L）签证进行延期或补办的申请。
Q 5: How to apply for a port group tourist visa?
问五：如何办理口岸团体旅游签证？
Answer: If a foreign tourist group consists of two or more people and wishes to apply for a port group tourist visa, the domestic travel agency organizing the trip must submit relevant documents in advance to the authority issuing port visas, including an invitation letter, a roster of group members, and a detailed reception plan. The tourist group will be allowed to enter and exit through any of China's open ports.
答：外国旅游团体若人数达到两人或以上，欲申请口岸团体旅游签证时，其组织的国内旅游机构需提前向签发口岸签证的机关递交邀请信、团队成员名册及详细的接待方案等相关文件。该旅游团队得以通过中国开放的任一口岸进出国境。
