All visa applicants need to submit the visa applications online. To ensure smooth and timely processing of your visa application, please pay close attention to the following key instructions:
1. Online Application Portal
Please complete your visa application via the official visa‑application website:
https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/
2. Visa Center Selection
When selecting the city for your visa submission, please choose “Harare, Zimbabwe”.
3. Passport Validity Requirement
Your passport must remain valid for more than six months at the time of application. Applications submitted with passports whose validity is less than six months will not be accepted.
4. Completing the Online Visa Application Form and Uploading Supporting Documents
(1) Fill in the online application form carefully, truthfully, completely and accurately in accordance with on‑screen prompts.
(2) Select the appropriate visa type corresponding to your actual purpose of travel to China.
(3) Upload a recent, clear passport‑sized photograph with a plain white background. Clients should not upload photos of them wearing spectacles/eyeglasses. Women should not upload photos with head wraps and headbands.
(4) Complete form‑filling and upload all required supporting documents in one session to avoid incomplete submissions.
(5) Upon finishing the online form, return to Page 1 and double‑check all entered information before submission. Pay special attention to verifying the following items:
‑ Correct spelling of your full name
‑ All given names entered under Section 1.1B
‑ Accurate date of birth
‑ Correct national ID number
‑ Valid passport number
(6) After verifying all entered information and uploaded documents, submit your application electronically.
Important Note: Selecting a visa type inconsistent with your intended entry purpose may result in entry restrictions and adversely affect your future visa applications. Please cross‑check all entries against your passport and supporting documents prior to submission to prevent errors, processing delays, or the need for correction and resubmission.
5. Form Section 6.1 (Applicable to All Visa Categories)
Please verify that all dates entered in this section are accurate and consistent:
(1) Sections 6.1A and 6.1F both request your arrival date. Enter the identical arrival date in both fields.
(2) Sections 6.1G and 6.1H both request your departure date. Enter the identical departure date in both fields.
Ensure these dates match your flight bookings, travel itinerary and other supporting documents where applicable.
6. Requirements for M‑type and F‑type Visa Applications
If you apply for an M or F visa, you must upload a formal invitation letter containing all information listed below:
(1) Invitee’s particulars: full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, etc.
(2) Travel particulars: purpose of visit, proposed arrival and departure dates, travel itinerary, relationship between the invitee and inviter, and source of financial support for your stay in China.
(3) Inviter’s particulars: full name of the inviting organization / company, contact telephone number, physical address, official organization seal, as well as the signature and nationality of the inviter or its legal representative.
Important Note: Please refer to Section 6.2A on Page 6 of the application form. For F‑type or M‑type visa applicants, enter the full registered name of the inviting Chinese company or organization exactly as shown on the invitation letter. Do not input an individual person’s name in the inviting‑organization field.
7. Applications for Children under 18 Years Old
Applications for minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by the child’s birth certificate, travel‑consent affidavits from parents or legal guardians, as well as copies of the parents’ or guardians’ identity documents or passports. Flight and hotel bookings must clearly show both the minor’s name and the name(s) of accompanying parent(s) or guardian(s).
8. Passport Submission
When your application status displays “Passport to be submitted”, you shall submit your physical passport in person to the Embassy, together with the application‑form barcode printout and one recent white‑background passport‑sized photograph.
9. Visa Section Opening Hours
Open to the public Monday‑Friday:
Morning session: 08:30‑11:00
Afternoon session: 14:00‑15:30
Please complete passport submission and collection within the above‑stated business hours.
10. Application Advice
Applicants are strongly recommended to submit their online application at least three weeks prior to the planned travel date. This lead‑time accounts for online‑system processing, potential correction or resubmission work, plus the standard four‑business‑day processing period counted from the date of physical passport submission.
Please note that the four‑business‑day standard processing time is for reference only. Certain applications may require extended processing. The exact collection date will be notified by the Visa Section. You are therefore advised to prepare and submit your application well in advance to secure adequate processing time.