If you plan to shoot a documentary in China, obtaining a journalist visa is essential. Fortunately, as long as you have a journalist visa, filming in China won’t be a problem.

To apply for a journalist visa, you’ll need to visit the Chinese embassy and bring the following documents:

Part I. For Temporary Foreign Journalists & Related Staff

• An application/authorization letter from your organization confirming your assignment to China signed by relevant management personnel and a specific itinerary (including name list, arrival and departure dates, places to be visited, and program of coverage)
• An invitation letter provided by the interviewee or organization to be interviewed/visited/covered in China (including a short description of the content/form of the interview or event, a contact person with a mobile phone number, telephone and fax number, and other necessary information)
• Photocopy of your passport and journalist professional credentials (i.e., a press card, etc.) as well as contact points

If you have a budget for a fixer, we can arrange our fixer to apply for these letters for you. However, please note that we cannot guarantee success depending on the documentary’s content.