What is the difference between a tourist visa and a work visa?

First, the distribution target is different:

Work visa: foreigners working in China.

Tourist visa: entry of foreign tourists.

Second, the required materials are different:

Work visa (taking foreigners' work visa in China as an example):

1. Passport: 1 Copy of original passport, blank visa page and passport photo page, valid for more than 6 months.

2. Visa application form and photos: People's Republic of China (PRC) visa application form 1 copy, recent passport bareheaded photo with light background 1 copy.

3. Proof of legal stay or residence (applicable to those who do not apply for a visa to their country of nationality): If they do not apply for a visa to their country of nationality, they should provide the original and photocopy of valid proof of legal stay, residence, work and study in their country.

4. Original China passport or original Chinese visa (applicable to those who once had China nationality and later joined foreign nationality): If applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you must provide the original China passport and a copy of the passport photo page;

If you have obtained a Chinese visa and apply for a visa with a new foreign passport, you must provide the photo page of the original foreign passport and a copy of the obtained Chinese visa (if the name recorded in the new passport is inconsistent with the original passport, you must also provide relevant official documents to change your name).

5. One of the following materials:

(1) Employment certificate for foreigners issued by the human resources and social security department; If the working period does not exceed 90 days, the certificate of short-term employment of foreigners in China is required, and the applicant must apply for a visa before the start date indicated in the certificate of short-term employment of foreigners in China, and the working time cannot exceed the period indicated in the certificate of short-term employment of foreigners in China;

(2) Work Permit for Foreign Experts in China or Notice of Work Permit for Foreigners issued by the Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs;

(3) Registration certificate of resident representative office of foreign (regional) enterprises issued by the administrative department for industry and commerce;

(4) The approval document for commercial theatrical performances issued by the administrative department of culture (only applicable to applicants who come to China for commercial performances);

If the performance period does not exceed 90 days, the certificate of short-term work for foreigners in China shall be provided, and the applicant shall apply for a visa before the start date indicated in the certificate of short-term work for foreigners, and the performance time shall not exceed the time limit indicated in the certificate of short-term work for foreigners in China;

(5) An invitation letter issued by China Offshore Oil Corporation for foreigners to engage in offshore oil operations in People's Republic of China (PRC);

Please note that after entering China, the holder must apply for a residence certificate to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level within 30 days, except that the stay period is 30 days and the visa indicates that "working hours shall not exceed the period indicated in the work certificate".

Tourist visas (taking foreigners' tourist visas to China as an example):

Materials required:

1. Passport: 1 Copy of original passport, blank visa page and passport photo page, valid for more than 6 months. ?

2. Visa application form and photos: People's Republic of China (PRC) visa application form 1 copy, recent passport bareheaded photo with light background 1 copy. ?

3. Proof of legal stay or residence (applicable to those who do not apply for a visa to their country of nationality): If they do not apply for a visa to their country of nationality, they should provide the original and photocopy of valid proof of legal stay, residence, work and study in their country. ?

4. Original China passport or original Chinese visa (applicable to those who once had China nationality and later joined foreign nationality): If applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you must provide the original China passport and a copy of the passport photo page;

If you have obtained a Chinese visa and apply for a visa with a new foreign passport, you must provide the photo page of the original foreign passport and a copy of the obtained Chinese visa (if the name recorded in the new passport is inconsistent with the original passport, you must also provide relevant official documents to change your name). ?

5. Travel materials such as round-trip air tickets and hotel orders, or invitations issued by domestic units or individuals. The invitation letter must contain the following contents:?

(1) Personal information of the invitee: name, gender, date of birth, etc. ?

(2) The itinerary information of the invitee: arrival and departure date, tourist location, etc. ; ?

(3) Information of inviting unit or inviter: name, telephone number, address, unit seal, signature of legal representative or inviter, etc. ?

According to the specific circumstances, the consul may also request other materials related to the application.

Third, the validity periods of work visas and tourist visas are different. Generally speaking, tourist visas are valid within 30 to 180 days, while work visas will be longer. Tourist visas are limited to traveling abroad, and work and part-time jobs are not allowed. It is illegal for you to work abroad on a tourist visa. If found, they may be directly repatriated or held accountable.

The specific regulations vary from country to country, but what is certain is that tourist visas are not allowed to go out to work.

References:

China Consular Service Network-China Visa