All participants whose country has not signed the Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement with China require a visa.

Applications should be made well in advance at your local Chinese Embassy, Consulate or Diplomatic Mission to ensure that enough time is allowed.

AQSIQ can supply you with an invitation letter to facilitate obtaining a visa; please contact them for such requests.

- For most delegates, a simple "Travel Visa" will be sufficient and is easier to obtain than a Business Visa.
- Any delegates wishing to obtain a Business Visa are invited to provide their full name (exactly as on their passport), nationality, profession (e.g. 'metrologist'), passport number, visit place, arrival date, departure date and fax number. The Organizing Committee will then send a fax which may be used to obtain the Business Visa (the fax is sufficient, an original is not necessary). A Business Visa is valid 30 days, though this may be extended if required.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site gives information on how to contact your local Chinese Embassy to inquire about the procedures to obtain a visa. Please select your country on the site and refer to the country-specific information given.