Enter China Legally as Crew Member of International Transport
The China C Visa is a specialized visa for crew members working on international transportation, including airlines, trains, maritime vessels, and drivers of cross-border vehicles. It also extends to accompanying family members of crew, where applicable.
At Borderless Lawyers, we support international airlines, shipping companies, and logistics operators—and their crew—with smooth, compliant C Visa processing across all Chinese ports of entry.
✈️ Who Needs a China C Visa?
The C Visa is required for:
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International airline crew (pilots, cabin staff)
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Ship crew on foreign vessels docking in China
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Train staff and truck drivers on cross-border routes
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Family members of crew (if approved by Chinese authorities)
The visa is usually issued as a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa, depending on the transportation schedule and agreements between carriers and Chinese authorities.
📄 Required Documents
From the Crew Member:
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Passport (valid 6+ months with blank pages)
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Completed Visa Application Form (V.2013)
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Passport-sized photograph
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Letter of employment or mission from the transport company
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Crew ID card or company certification
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Transport route/schedule or travel manifest
For Family Members (if applicable):
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Proof of kinship (marriage or birth certificate)
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Invitation letter from the employing company
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Copy of crew member’s visa and job documentation
📑 Documents may need to be translated and legalized depending on the consulate’s requirements.
🛠 How We Help
1️⃣ Visa Eligibility Review
We confirm whether the C Visa is the correct category or if other alternatives (e.g. M, Z, or F visas) apply based on job scope and length of stay.
2️⃣ Company & Crew Documentation Support
We prepare airline or shipping company letters, schedule justifications, and crew certification packages in the format accepted by consulates.
3️⃣ Visa Filing & Consulate Liaison
We coordinate directly with Chinese consulates or visa centers to file the visa, manage group submissions, and handle urgent timelines.
4️⃣ Ongoing Crew Travel Support
We assist with renewals, multiple-entry options, and visa policies under airline or shipping route agreements.
🔁 When to Use the C Visa
✅ You are entering China for crew duty, not leisure or business
✅ You are in a scheduled rotation with an international airline, vessel, or train line
✅ Your company maintains regular transit through Chinese borders or ports
✅ You need quick, repeated access without long-term residency
⚠️ Important Legal Notes
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The C Visa does not permit general work or business
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Duration of stay is typically limited to short periods aligned with duty schedules
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Crew must comply with customs, health, and port-of-entry regulations
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Family members often require separate approval and cannot work in China
✈️ Crew Compliance Without Delays
At Borderless Lawyers, we ensure your aviation, maritime, and cross-border crew members enter China with the right visa, every time. We work with compliance teams, HR departments, and visa processing units globally to minimize disruption and ensure all transport-linked immigration is properly handled.
🌐 Where We Work
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✈️ Airlines based in the EU, UK, U.S., Gulf, and Asia-Pacific
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🚢 Shipping lines docking in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and more
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🚂 Rail and freight operators on Central Asia or Russia-China routes
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🚛 Trucking companies entering via Hong Kong, Mongolia, Vietnam, etc.