CHINESE VISA AND THE PROCEDURE FOR VISA APPLICATION

While it's become a lot easier to get a Chinese visa, don't think your problems are over when you've received yours. If you make a false step while while running the gauntlet of getting a work permit, you face fines, hassles and maybe even arrest and deportation.
This is why expats who can afford to, take a more expensive, but far less stressful route: they use one of the many visa services. The agencies stay abreast of the changing rules and regulations and can cope with the bureaucracy, from start to finish.

GETTING A VISA

The Chinese visa authorities may issue a diplomatic, courtesy, service of ordinary visa to a foreigner according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type.
There are 8 types of the ordinary visas (D, Z, X, F, L, G, C, J-1 and J-2).
Visa D: issued to those who are to reside permanently in China. A permanent residence confirmation form shall be required for the application of Visa D. the applicant shall apply to obtain this form himself or through his designated relatives in China from the exit-and-entry department of the public security bureau in the city or county where the applies to reside.

Visa Z: Issued to those who are to take up posts or employment in China, and to their accompanying family members. To apply for a Visa Z, an Employment License of the People's Republic of China for Foreigners (which could be obtained by the employer in China from the provincial or municipal labor authorities) and a visa notification letter/telegram issued by an authorized organization or company is required.

Visa X: Issued to those who come to China for study, advanced studies or job training for a period of six months or more. To apply for a Visa X, certificates from the receiving unit and the competent authority concerned are required, i.e., Application Form for Overseas Students to China (JW201 Form of JW202 Form), Admission Notice and Physical Examination Record for Foreigners.

Visa F: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China on a visit, on a study or lecture, business tour, for scientific-technological and cultural exchanges, for short-term refresher course or for job training, for a period of no more than six months. To apply for a Visa F, the invitation letter from the inviting unit or the visa notification letter/telegram from the authorized unit is required.

Visa L: Issued to foreigners who come to China for sightseeing, visiting relatives or other private purposes. For a tourist applicant, in principle he shall evidence his financial capability of covering the traveling expenses in China, and when necessary, provide the air, train or ship tickets to the heading country/region after leaving China. For the applicants who come to China to visit relatives, some are required to provide invitation letters from their relatives in China.

Visa G: Issued to those who transit through China. The applicants are required to show valid visas and ongoing tickets to the heading countries/regions.

Visa C: Issued to train attendants, air crewmembers and seamen operating international services, and to their accompanying family members. To apply for a visa C, relevant documents are required in accordance with bilateral agreements or regulations of the Chinese side.

Visa J-1: Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.

Visa J-2: Issued to foreign correspondents that make short trip to china on reporting tasks. The applicants for J-1 and J-2 visas are required to provide a certificate issued by the competent Chinese authorities.

Applying for a visa, you need to have in addition to the above mentioned documents, valid passport or a travel document, visa application form, and a photo.

In addition to providing the above-mentioned documents, an applicant is also required to answer relevant questions and go through the following formalities (with the exception of those stipulated otherwise by agreements):
Tourist visas are usually issued for one month, while the others are issued for anywhere from three months to one year. You can wither get a single-entry visa, or multiple entry visas. Multiple-entry visas allow you to enter and leave the country as many times as you wish.
When your visa expiree, Visas can be renewed when they are expiring. If your visa cannot be renewed you need to apply for a new one. This usually necessitates a trip out of the country, although some agencies do offer visas that don't require you to leave.
Given the lead-time to obtaining a new visa, allow at least one month between the time you apply for a new visa and the expiation of your current one.