A visa is a type of entry permit issued by a country's authorized government agencies in accordance with its laws and regulations for foreigners entering, exiting or transiting through the country. According to international law and practices, any sovereign state has the right to independently decide whether to allow a foreigner to enter or exit from its borders, and whether to issue a visa, reject a visa application or revoke an issued visa according to its national laws.

In accordance with the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners and other relevant regulations, Chinese visa offices abroad are entitled to make the decision on visa type, number of entries, period of validity, and duration of stay, and to decide whether to reject a visa application or revoke an issued visa. Except for cases where visas are exempted according to relevant agreements and regulations, foreigners are required to apply for and obtain Chinese visas before entering China.

Foreigners traveling to the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, and the Macao SAR of China are required to apply for corresponding visas separately.