Normally foreigners have to get a Chinese visa from a Chinese diplomatic mission, consular post or any agency authorized by the Foreign Ministry to do so, before they set out for China. However, in the following cases, foreigners may apply for a port visa upon arrival at a Chinese port:

1) Being invited at short notice by the Chinese side to attend a trade fair in China;
2) Being invited to China to enter a bid or to formally sign an economic or trade contract;
3) Coming to China under contract for supervision over export shipment, import commodity inspection or check on the completion of a contract;
4) Being invited to install equipment or make rush repairs;
5) Coming to China at the request of the Chinese side for settling claims;
6) Being invited to China for scientific or technological consulting services;
7) A last-minute replacement or addition, approved by the Chinese side, to a delegation or group that has been invited and has already obtained visas for traveling to China;
8) For visiting a patient in a critical condition or making funeral arrangements;
9) As persons in immediate transit who, because of force majeure, are unable to leave China by the original aircraft within 24 hours or have to leave China by other means of transport;
10) As other invitees who really do not have enough time to apply for visas to the above-mentioned Chinese agencies abroad but hold letters or telegrams from designated competent authorities approving the application for visas at port visa agencies.

The formalities involved in the application for a port visa are very simple. The applicant has only to present a valid passport and a letter of invitation from the Chinese side, as well as a letter or telegram from the Chinese institution that is to receive him/her. Next, he has to complete the Foreigners' Application Form for Visa or Other Documents and hand in a recently-taken 2-inch full-faced bareheaded photo.