The crew visa (C) is a narrow, specialised category. It's for people who cross China's border as part of their job operating an international vehicle — not as passengers. If you're flying the aircraft, running the train, crewing the ship or driving the truck, this is your category.
Who the C visa is for
Crew on international flights — flight deck and cabin crew
Crew on international trains
Crew on international vessels, and the accompanying family members of those crew
Drivers engaged in international road transport
Who it is not for
Two mix-ups are worth clearing up, because both send people to the wrong form:
Passengers passing through China are not crew. If you're simply connecting through a Chinese airport on the way somewhere else, the C visa isn't your route — you may qualify for visa-free transit instead. Read about the 240-hour transit rule.
Business travel in the transport industry is not crew work. Flying to China for meetings — even with an airline or shipping line — is a business trip. Read the M visa guide.
How C visa applications usually work
In practice, most C visas are arranged through the airline, rail operator or shipping company rather than by the individual crew member. The operator holds the relationship with the Chinese authorities and issues the supporting letter, so if your employer runs the process, follow theirs.
Individual applications tend to come up in the smaller operations that have no corporate visa desk — private and charter aviation, yacht and vessel crew, and independent road haulage. That's where we can help.
What you need for a China crew visa
A letter from the transport company or the relevant Chinese entity, confirming your role and the route
Crew documentation for your mode — for vessel crew this generally means a seafarer's identity document or seaman's book
A passport valid for at least six more months, with a blank visa page
A recent white-background photo and your completed COVA application
Requirements for C applications vary by consulate and by transport mode more than in any other category, so confirm the current list with the consulate that serves your state before you file.
How to apply
Complete the COVA application, then your passport is submitted in person at the Chinese consulate that serves your state — that's the part we handle. Start your application or compare all visa types.
Get My Passports is a private company that provides China visa application assistance. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency, and all visa decisions — type, validity, entries, and approval — are made solely by the Chinese consulate. Requirements can vary by consulate and change over time; confirm the current rules before you apply.