Since September 30, 2025, Chinese embassies and consulates in the United States have been using the updated COVA online visa application system. Applicants generally complete the COVA online application first and waiting application status Change to ” passport to be submitted” and then submit their original passport in personal or use agent after the online review is completed.
According to China ambassy in United States , For many applications, when you online application get approved and submit the passport to Consulate office, regular processing takes about 4 business days, while expedited processing may take 2–3 business days after passport submission, depending on the consulate and the type of application.
However, there is an important catch:
Your application must first pass the online preliminary review.
If your photo is not acceptable, you select the wrong consular jurisdiction, your information does not match your passport, or required documents are missing, your application may be returned for correction. This can add several days—or longer—to the process.
That is where Visit China Visa Center can help.
We provide China visa application assistance for applicants in all 50 U.S. states and help customers submit their applications to the appropriate Chinese embassy or consulate jurisdiction, including:
- Washington, D.C.
- New York
- Chicago
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
Our team can help you prepare your application, review your information, format your photo, organize your documents, and provide instructions for sending your passport to the correct location.
Depending on the consulate, visa type, processing speed, and individual circumstances, many customers using our service receive their China visas within approximately 5–12 business days.
For standard processing for All inclusive service, our service fee is $155. The government visa fee is separate and typically costs $140 under normal processing times. We will handle the entire process for you to ensure everything is submitted correctly.
Want to save time and avoid unnecessary delays? Learn more about our China visa services Here.
Full guide to apply for a 10-year multiple China visa by yourself
Step 1: Create a account for your China visa online application
To start your China visa application, you’ll need to create an account on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website：https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/. The great thing is you can fill out multiple applications using just one account, so there is no need to make a separate login for every single family member or friend traveling with you. Just make sure to write down your password and double-check that your email is working so you can receive the verification codes.”.
Step 2. Consular Jurisdiction: Where to Apply for Your Chinese Visa
Jurisdiction: On June 29, 2024, after mutual consultation, China and the United States reached an agreement to simultaneously adjust the consular jurisdictions of their respective embassies and consulates. The adjusted consular jurisdictions of Chinese diplomatic missions in the U.S. are as follows:
| Embassy/Consulate | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Embassy of China in the United States (Washington, D.C.) | District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Delaware |
| Embassy of China in the United States (Washington, D.C.) Also covers the former Houston Consulate jurisdiction) | Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Puerto Rico |
| Consulate-General of China in New York | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island |
| Consulate-General of China in San Francisco | Northern California, Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming |
| Consulate-General of China in Los Angeles | Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Hawaii, Pacific Islands |
| Consulate-General of China in Chicago | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota |
As you can see, North Carolina falls under the jurisdiction of the Washington DC consular district. Therefore, residents of North Carolina who need to apply for a Chinese visa must submit their applications through the Visa Office of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Including residents for Major city of North Carolina like: Charlotte (Mecklenburg county), Raleigh (Durham & Wake counties), Greensboro (Guilford county), Durham (Durham, Orange and Wake counties), Winston-Salem (Forsyth county), Fayetteville (Cumberland county), Cary (Chatham county), Wilmington (New Hanover county), High Point (Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph counties), Concord (Cabarrus county). Remember When filling out the application form, it is essential to select the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
As North Carolina State is a little far from Washington DC, so the time and cost for residents to travel to Washington DC to apply for a Chinese visa are quite high. As a result, the vast majority of North Carolina residents choose reputable agencies like Visit China Visa Center when applying for a 10-year Chinese visa, submitting their passports and application documents by mail, to avoid traveling to Washington, D.C in person.
Visa types eligible for 10 years:
High-Level Talent Visa (R) :10 year multiple 180 days
Tourist Visa (L): 10 year multiple 90 days
Business Visa (M) 10 year multiple 90 days
Family Visit Visa (Q2) :10 year multiple 180 days
Private Affairs Visa (S2) :10 year multiple 180 days
Step 3: Complete the Online Application
You will need to:
- Upload your photo
- Complete the online visa application 10 pages
- Upload your required documents
- Submit the application for preliminary review
- Wait for the application status to ” passport to be submitted”
Only after the online application has been reviewed and you are instructed to submit your passport should you proceed with the in-person passport submission or hire an reliable agent like Visit China Visa Center.
If there is a problem with the online application, the process can stop before you even submit your passport.
Invitation letter required by visa type:
- Tourist Visa (L): No invitation letter required.
- Family Visit (Q1/Q2): Invitation letter and a copy of the inviter’s ID required. For Q1 and S1, original documents are also needed; You can download template by click here: Q2/Q1 invitation letter template
- Foreigner Family Visit (S1/S2): Invitation letter and a copy of the inviter’s ID required. For Q1 and S1, original documents are also needed; You can download template by click here: S2/S1 invitation letter template
- Business(M): Invitation letter from the Chinese company/institution is required. You can download template by click here: M visa invitation letter template
- Study/Work/Exchange/High-Talent Visas (X/Z/F//R): Invitation letter from the Chinese company/institution is required.
Supplementary documents (as applicable):
- Previous Chinese visas: If available, provide a photocopy. If on a previous passport, include a copy of that passport. If lost, contact us for a template and provide a visa loss statement.
- Evidence of legal stay in the U.S.: Foreign nationals may provide a photocopy of a green card or visa or I-20 or I-94.
- For applicants formerly of Chinese nationality: If this is your first Chinese visa after naturalization, provide two copies of the Chinese passport bio page, a copy of your naturalization certificate, and the last physical Chinese passport.
- Government or non-profit employees: Provide an employer letter.
- Former military service: Please contact us for a template and submit a military service statement.
- Recent travel to specific countries: If you have visited Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia or Syria in the past 12 months, contact us for a template and provide a travel history record.
- U.S. citizens born in specific countries: (Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia or Syria) must provide a travel history record. An in-person interview may be required.
- NGO or NPO employees: Submit both an employer letter and a personal statement.
Step 4: No Appointment Is Generally Required for submission
Note: As of October 23, 2023, appointments are not required for Chinese visa applications in the U.S.
After your online application status change to ” passport to be submitted”, you can visit Consulate office during the consulate’s public service hours without a prior appointment.
In addition, applicants are currently generally not required to appear in person for fingerprint collection for China visa applications.
An authorized representative also can be able to submit the passport on your behalf
Visa Section of the China Embassy in Washington DC :
2201 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday (except holidays): 9:30am—2:30pm
If you cannot submit in person, you may authorize a trusted agency or expediting service such as VisitChinaVisa.com to handle your application. To help applicants adapt to the new system, you may try our Limited-Time Offer For submission+ Pick up+ Mail back service for just $79, Consulate fee will be $140. We offer the service for all US States.
Step 5: Processing time and Pay the Visa Fee and Collect Your Visa
Processing time is generally counted from the date the passport is accepted by the consulate.
Typical processing may be approximately:
- Regular service: about 4 business days
- Express service: about 2–3 business days
- Emergency/urgent service: potentially faster in limited humanitarian circumstances and subject to consular approval
Important: Processing times are not guaranteed. Individual applications may require additional review, documents, or an interview.
Pay the Visa Fee and Collect Your Visa
- Return to the Visa Office on your assigned pick-up date with your pick-up receipt.
- Upon receiving your visa, verify that all information is correct. If you spot any errors, notify the staff immediately to avoid future inconvenience.
- Accepted payment methods: MasterCard, Visa, money order, or cashier’s check.
This guide is current as of September 2026 and reflects the latest procedures and document requirements for Chinese visa applicants at the US
Tip:
Applying for a China visa at the US is straightforward if you’re prepared. Following these steps carefully , Hope can help you ensure a smooth process and minimize delays in your travel plans.
Want Someone to Handle the Application Process for You?
If you are short on time or simply do not want to deal with the online application yourself, Visit China Visa Center provides all-inclusive China visa application assistance.
Our services cover common visa categories, including:
- L — Tourist
- M — Business
- Q1/Q2 — Family Visit
- F — Non-commercial Visit
- Z — Work
- X1/X2 — Student
- S1/S2 — Private Matters
- C — Crew
Our All-Inclusive Service Can Include:
- Help completing the online application
- Free consultation
- Free photo cropping and formatting
- Document printing
- Application review
- Checklist and document guidance
- In-person passport submission
- Passport pickup
- Secure return shipping options
- No credit card processing fees
- No hidden service fees
Our service fees are typically $155–$255, depending on processing speed.
Official government visa fees are separate and are typically $140–$165, depending on the applicant and current government fee schedule.
Refund Guarantee
If your visa is not granted, our service fee is eligible for a full refund under our service guarantee and applicable terms.
How to Start with our all inclusive China visa service
1: Place Your Order
2: Start With Our China visa Short Form
Complete the China Visa Short Form
Have questions?
Call: 202-202-2888
Email: service@visitchinavisa.com
Important Disclaimer
Visit China Visa Center is a private visa application assistance and courier service. We are not a government agency, law firm, or representative of the Chinese government.
Processing times, visa requirements, fees, and eligibility rules are subject to change and remain under the control of the Chinese embassy or consulate.
All visa decisions are made solely by the appropriate Chinese embassy or consulate.
Our service fees are separate from official government visa fees.
For the latest official requirements, applicants should always refer to the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for their jurisdiction.
