China Crew Visa Overview & Eligibility

📍 Who Qualifies for a China Crew Visa?

China crew visas are issued to:

• Airline crew

• Ship crew

• Train crew

Travel must be directly related to official crew duties.

🚫 Can Crew Travel on Another Visa Type?

No.

Crew members must travel using a valid China crew visa when entering China for crew-related duties.

Traveling on a different visa type may result in:

• Issues at immigration

• Denied entry

• Future visa complications

🧾 Crew Visa Validity

Visa validity is determined by the Chinese consulate.

U.S. Passport Holders

• Normally issued up to 5 years

• Typically multiple entry

• Subject to consulate discretion

Non-U.S. Passport Holders

• Normally issued up to 2 years

• Typically multiple entry

• Validity varies by nationality

⚠️ Swift cannot guarantee issuance length or multiple entry approval.

🔁 Can Crew Hold Another China Visa?

Yes.

Crew members may hold:

• An active China crew visa

• Another active China visa type

This is an exception to the general one-visa rule.

💡 Important Notes

• Visa issuance is at the discretion of the consulate

• Entry permission is determined by immigration officials

• Crew must use the correct visa for official duties