VISA Application
Before visiting China, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa. You may also follow the 144-hour visa-free transit policy of China to attend the conference. Details can be found here.
Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry
To check if you are eligible for the visa exemption program, please visit here.
Countries not eligible for Visa-exempt entry:
Option 1: Use the 144-hour visa-free transit policy of China. Visa-Free Transit Policies for Foreign Nationals can be viewed on National Immigration Administration website, please visit here.
The National Immigration Administration of China (NIA) has implemented a 144 hour visa free transit policy at 37 entry and exit ports, including Shanghai and Hangzhou, starting from 0:00 am on the day of arrival. Citizens of 54 countries (including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, etc.) who hold valid international travel documents (valid for more than 3 months) and have confirmed connecting tickets for flights, trains, or ships to third countries/regions (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) within 144 hours of arrival in China are eligible for visa free transit through the 37 ports mentioned above. During their stay, foreign guests can travel, engage in business activities, visit relatives and friends, and engage in other short-term activities.
For your convenience, some recommended ports of entry in Zhejiang Province and Shanghai are as follows: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Foreign guests can leave China through all 10 entry and exit ports that provide passenger services in Zhejiang Province and Shanghai.
Additional notes:
1. A short interview will be conducted at the port of entry for mainland China, and the officer may verify the tickets (and/or confirmed seats) of arriving and leaving to a third country/region with a date no later than 144 hours after the entry time. Possible proofs include airline tickets, train tickets, ship tickets, order receipts, payment records, etc.
2. The underlying principle of the TRANSIT rule stipulates that a guest enters the port of the third country/region, such that the “Transit” policy is held. The border control officer may use the entry records, and the onward tickets to verify the intent.
3. The guest should not have a Visa rejection stamp from the Chinese authority on the passport. The guest cannot have any record of illegal entry, exit, residence, or employment within the past 5 years in China.
4. It is recommended to have an invitation letter from the CEC2025 conference.
Option 2: Apply for a visa in advance. Conference visas must be applied for in advance at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
This Chinese government website provides you detailed information about the visa application process.
To request a visa letter from the CEC2025, you MUST follow the instructions below.
invitation letters will only be issued to registered participants with payments. After completing the registration process, please fill
this invitation letter request form, and email to zhanglvyin@ais.cn. The Visa letter will then be sent back via email.
PLEASE NOTE
1) Request for hard copy version of the letter will not be accommodated.
2) Visa letter requests may take upto 5 working days to process.
3) IEEE CEC2025 can only issue the Letter of Invitation for the conference. No other kind of documents will be provided for visa applications.
