1. Applying for visas

Approved foreign correspondents and their families may apply to Chinese embassies and consulates overseas for J-1 visas, where as other staff of foreign news agencies' permanent bureaus and their families may apply for Z visas. The visa usually only indicates when the bearer may enter China, not the duration of his/her stay.

2. Getting a Foreigner Residence Permit

Foreign resident correspondent in Beijing and their relatives are required to hold "J-1" (journalist) visas to enter China. They are required to apply for residence permits at Division of Aliens Exit-and-Entry Administration of Beijing Public Security Bureau within 30 days after entry. Normally, the validity period of the residence permit is one year but not exceeding that of passport.

Foreign correspondents applying for residence permits are required to present the following documents:

1. Your own valid passport and visa, and the Residence Registration Certificate

2. Fill in the Foreigner's Visa and Residence Permit Application Form, and affix the official seal of your agency and put a recently taken, half-length, bareheaded, full-faced photo with a size of 2 inches on the form.

3. Present the Press Card issued by Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

4. Present Original "Health Certification" issued by Beijing Administration for Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine (for those over 18 years old and first applying for the residence permits)

5. Relatives in company are required to present official letter from post or employment agencies; spouses present marriage certificates; parents and children present kinship documents.

Applicants with J-2 visa to enter China as the resident correspondents to apply residence permit are required the official letters of the Information Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government.

Correspondents whose countries have signed agreements on Visa-Exemption with China and holding the service passport or passport for public affairs can go to the local FAOs to get Residence Permits.

Division of Exit-Entry Administration of Beijing FAO

2 floor of Jinghua Haoyuan, 8# Waijiaobu South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Tel: 010-8562-2633, 8562-2632

Working Hour: Monday to Thursday: 9:00am-12:00am, 1:00pm-5:00pm

Friday: 9:00am-12:00am

Shanghai FAO

1418# Nanjing xilu, Shanghai

Tel: 021-6256-5900 ext. 1335

Working Hour: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-11:30am, 1:30pm-5:00pm

Chongqing FAO

33# Sixinlu, Niujiaotuo District, Chongqing

Tel: 023-6362-3054, 6385-0986

Working Hour: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-11:30am, 1:30pm-5:00pm

Guangdong FAO

45# Shamian Dajie, Guangzhou

Tel: 020-8121-9556

Working Hour: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-11:30am, 2:30pm-5:00pm

For countries which have signed agreements on Visa-Exemption with China, please refer to www.mfa.gov.cn

3. Getting a Health Certificate

Resident foreigners in Beijing should go to the Beijing Health Quarantine Station to get health certificates. Getting the certificate requires a physical examination for all applicants over 16 years old before the certificate can be issued. The station is open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 1:00pm. Applicants should not eat breakfast or lunch before the examination, and should bring their passports and one passport photo. The health certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue.

The station's address is as follows:

The Beijing Health & Quarantine Station

20# HepingIi Beijie,

Chaoyang District, Beijing

Tel.: 010-6427-4240

Health Center of Shanghai Exit-Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau

1701# Hamilu, Shanghai

Tel: 021-6268-7606

Working Hour: Monday to Friday: 8:30am-11:00am, 1:30pm-3:30pm

Please do not eat breakfast or lunch before the examination, the certificate will be available after 3 working days.

Health Center of Chongqing Exit-Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau

185# Hongshilu, Yubei District, Chongqing

Tel: 023-6790-1515, 13647633500

Working Hour: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-12:30am, 1:30pm-5:00pm

Health Center of Guangdong Exit-Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau

207# Longkouxilu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou

Tel: 020-3825-9322

Working Hour: Monday to Friday: 8:00am-12:00am, 2:00pm-5:00pm

A copy of your passport and four photos are needed.