China Visa Application in USA

 From October 23, 2023, American citizens can apply for a Chinese Visa without making an appointment. And from Jan. 1, 2024, tourist visa (L-Visa)  applicants within the US needn't submit materials like round-trip air ticket booking record, hotel reservation, invitation letter …

 Visa Application Form of PRC

 Embassy of PRC in USA
  Detail Procedure for Application
  (How to Apply - Processing Time - Fees - Pick-up, etc)
  For Children Born in USA with Chinese Descent Going to China

How to Apply

1. Fill in the visa application form on the official web of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You need to choose the Embassy or Consulate-General which holds consular jurisdiction over the state where you reside.  After, print it out and sign it.  
2. Go to the Embassy or Consulate-General at appointed time to submit the application form and other requirements.
3. If you cannot come in person, you may entrust someone else or an agent to drop off your application at the consular office of the Embassy or Consulate-General which holds consular jurisdiction over the state where you reside.
4. Mailed applications are not acceptable and will be returned.

  From Jan. 1, 2024, tourist visa applicants (L-Visa) within the US will no longer be required to submit round-trip air ticket booking record, proof of hotel reservation, itinerary or invitation letter.

Processing Time

1. The regular processing time is 4 working days (e.g. submission on Monday, pick up on Thursday).
2. Express service: 3 working days processing, $25 will be charged per application.


Visa Fees

1. Please pay by Visa, MasterCard, Money Order, Cashier's Check. Cash or Personal/Company check is not acceptable.
2. Please make money order or checks payable to "Chinese Embassy".

Entry & Validity American Citizens Citizens of Other Countries
Single Entry USD 140 USD 23
Double Entries USD 34
Multiple Entries for 6 months USD 45
Multiple Entries for 12 months or more USD 68
resident correspondent J1 /
short-term journalist J2
USD 171 --
* The fees above are applicable from December 11, 2023 to December 31, 2024. The express service will charge USD 25 per visa.

 

Pick-up

1. On or after the pick-up date specified in the receipt, applicants can pay and pick up their passports themselves or by entrusted persons, travel agencies with the receipt. Please check your visa information carefully in the embassy, and contact the consular officer if there were any problem.
2. The Consular Office of the Embassy in Washington DC no longer provides mail back service. If anyone asks for mail back service, please contact travel agencies.
 

How to Identify if an Issued Chinese Visa is still Valid?

Please check carefully if the validity, number of entries and duration of stay on the obtained visa could still meet the need for the trip.

1. Validity (enter before) is the length of period that it is good for, namely from the issuing date to the deadline of entering China for the bearer of the visa. Given the number of entries are sufficient, the bearer is able to enter at anytime before 12:00am on the expiring date.

A visa becomes void once its period of validity expires regardless of whether its entries are used up or not. The holder should apply for a new visa if he or she intends to visit again. 

2. Entries is the number permitted to enter China during its validity. A visa becomes invalid if there is no more valid number of entries left. To use such a visa will lead to decline of entry. 

3. Duration of each stay refers to the longest period of time the bearer of a visa is permitted to stay in China from the date of entry on each visit. 

Under Chinese law, a foreign national who overstays his or her visa in China is subject to fine and other penalties. If it's necessary to stay longer than the duration of stay allowed, approval must be obtained from a local public security authority above county level 30 days before the duration of stay is running out. The bearer is permitted to stay without leaving once the application is approved.

- Last updated on Sep. 06, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on China Visa Application in USA
Asked by Sharon K. McGhee from USA | Oct. 30, 2024 08:55Reply
I will land in Shanghai PVG on 11/26/24 8:30p and board a Royal Caribbean /Spectrum b of the Seas b
by 4p 11/27/24. Me and my husband are US Citizens traveling from ORD/Chicago Il. Is this eligible for the 24 hour visa free exemption? How do I proceed to be cleared for this Visa? Should I visit the Consulate In Chicago or can I take care of this at the PVG airport? The ship is not visiting any other Chinese ports. I return to Shanghai 6:30 am on Dec 1st. My return flight home leaves at 2:00p same date Dec 1st 2024. Will the 24 hr. exemption free transit visa be ok? Is there a price for this? Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Oct. 30, 2024 23:02
00Reply


You are covered naturally by the 24hr visa exemption for the round trip and you don't need to go the the consulate. Just get a 24h temporary entry permit at PVG and for the return trip, another entry permit at the cruise terminal. The permit is totally free.
Asked by Anthony Goebel from USA | Sep. 02, 2024 15:18Reply
Hotel accommodations or a person to see
I read that even though the application asks for a hotel reservation or a specific person you are going to see you do not need that anymore. If so do I just leave it blank? My situation has changed and the person I was going to see isn’t available. Can I just go to any location and not worry about getting into trouble?
Answers (7)
Answered by Joshua | Sep. 02, 2024 23:02
00Reply


Are you applying for a L visa? If you don't have an inviting person then you don't need to fill in it. Hotel reservation, round trip flight tickets and destination should be filled.
Answered by Anthony Goebel | Sep. 04, 2024 07:40
00Reply


From Jan. 1, 2024, tourist visa applicants (L-Visa) within the US will no longer be required to submit round-trip air ticket booking record, proof of hotel reservation, itinerary or invitation letter.
Joshua.. I asked that question because of this above.. So I Have to write my Hotel accommodations still and flight info?...Yes applying for a Visitors Visa (L) Visa I think to call it.. Sorry for all the questions but this is much more involved than I ever thought .. So if I decided to stay for the 72 hours (3 days) I do not need a visa ? right ? I get a pass to stay for the 72Hrs ? How does that work ?
Answered by Marcy | Sep. 04, 2024 18:44
00Reply


The 72hr has been upgraded to 144 visa free transit free from visa application troubles, actually many tourists from USA choose it. To use it, you need to first decide where you want to travel to (areas with most famous attractions are eligible for the 144) and then plan an eligible route.
Areas for your reference: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/visa/free-transit-144-hours.htm
An example eligible route: USA - eligible areas in Mainland China - HK / Macau or other countries - USA
Answered by Anthony Goebel | Sep. 06, 2024 05:30
00Reply


Thank you for that information Marcy. You are right in saying this is a very good option for someone who is just going to see a person or to just look around for a bit. What do I need to do? Do I need to go somewhere to get a pass? Or do I just need to make sure I’m stay the allotted amount of time and nothing more?
Thank you again
Tony
Answered by Lori | Sep. 09, 2024 00:20
00Reply


Just take your flight tickets leaving China within 6 days and hotel reservation in the allowed area or other proof to show you won't overstay, no other special documents or procedures for the 144.
Answered by Anthony Goebel | Sep. 09, 2024 09:01
00Reply


OK I see.. So i will not need to do anything or see anyone as long as I abide by the 144hr deadline.. Keep all docs with me in case I am approached or asked questions. Correct?

If that is the case 6 days and nights is more than enough time to visit or look around .. Just verify that and i can go ahead and make my reservations.... :)

you are so very helpful Lon
.
Answered by Lori | Sep. 10, 2024 01:39
00Reply


Yes, you are right and you're welcome. And kindly note that the duration of stay is calculated from 00:00 of the day following your entry. For example, if you arrive on December 1, the duration would be counted from 00:00 on December 2 and should depart before 24:00 on December 7.
Asked by anthony goebel from UNITED STATES | Aug. 30, 2024 10:44Reply
WHICH STATE OUT FOR THE 5 IN THE UNSTED STATES COVERS FLORIDA
Chicago Los Angeles Dan Franisco or Washington DC ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Sep. 01, 2024 20:38
00Reply


The China Embassy in Washington D.C is responsible for the visa applications from Florida.
Asked by Robert Walleck from UNITED STATES | Aug. 11, 2024 09:59Reply
How do I make an appointment to submit visa applicatioin for two people traveling together.
We have applied electronically on 08-11-2024 and would like to visit the consulate together on the same day on August 26, 2024 at 10:00 or later if possible.
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Aug. 12, 2024 18:39
00Reply


You don't need to make an appointment to submit the applications. The embassy and consulate-general provide walk-in service.
Asked by Bill Wong from UNITED STATE | Aug. 06, 2024 13:12Reply
do I need to apply visa for a 20 days China cruise?
The trip will start from Hong Kong to Bejing.
Answers (1)
Answered by Daniel | Aug. 06, 2024 19:39
00Reply


Is the cruise tour all in China? I think you need a visa.
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