Planning a trip to China from San Antonio – Texas? If you live in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas or Puerto Rico once under the former Houston Chinese Consulate’s jurisdiction, you may be wondering: Where do I apply for a China visa now? Since the Houston Consulate closed in 2020, all applications are processed through other Chinese consulates in the United States.
Why You Can’t Apply Locally in Texas
The Chinese Consulate-General in Houston was closed in late July 2020. Since then, all consular services originally handled by the Houston Consulate—including China visa applications, Chinese passports, notarization, and authentication—have been taken over by the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., That means completing the process from Texas involves either traveling to Washington DC or using a trusted courier service like Visit China Visa Center to submit your documentation on your behalf.
Six easy steps U.S. citizens in the San Antonio to successfully apply for a China visa in 2026.
1. Confirm Your Jurisdiction
Before applying, please refer to our latest consular jurisdiction adjustment guide.
Residents in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Arlington or other city of Texas will apply for your China visa through the China embassy in Washington DC.
- Houston: The largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the U.S., Houston is a major economic hub, particularly in the energy sector, including oil and gas. It is also known for its diverse population and thriving arts scene.
- San Antonio: Famous for the Alamo and its rich history, San Antonio is the second-most populous city in Texas. It has a strong tourism industry and is known for its vibrant culture and festivals.
- Dallas: A major economic center, Dallas is known for its corporate headquarters, technology, and finance sectors. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.
- Austin: The capital of Texas, Austin is known for its music scene, tech industry, and as a hub for startups. It has a reputation for being a progressive city with a strong emphasis on culture and education.
- Fort Worth: Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Fort Worth has a rich history tied to the cattle industry and is known for its Western culture, museums, and vibrant arts scene.
- El Paso: Located on the U.S.-Mexico border, El Paso has a significant Hispanic population and is important for cross-border trade and cultural exchange.
- Corpus Christi: A coastal city known for its beaches and as a key port, Corpus Christi plays an important role in the oil and gas industry as well as tourism.
- Arlington: Known for its entertainment options, including the AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) and Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
| 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 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 |
2. Complete New China Visa Online Application
New Chinese Online Visa Application System officially launched by the Chinese Embassy in the United States on September 30, 2025. Applicants could enjoy more convenience using the system to fill out forms, upload materials for online pre- review and track the status of application.
A, To help applicants adapt to the new system, you may try our Limited-Time Offer: All-Inclusive Service: $155 (was $195), Consular Fee: $140. This service cover all states in US.
This service suitable for applicants don’t have the time, or if you don’t want to deal with complicated paperwork, or have urgent time constraints, our All-Inclusive Service is designed for you— which is now available at a special promotional discount at $155. All you need to do is check out and fill in this brief form: China visa short form, You just need to mail us your passport, that’s it. You can stop here—there’s no need to keep reading this rather long China visa guide.
B, If you plan to complete the application form and upload the required documents by yourself, please refer to our Step by Step Chinese Application Filling Guide.
- Follow our step-by-step guide to fill out the New China Visa Application online and upload required documents.
- Waiting for the preliminary review by the embassy/consulate. Once the review is approved, the status will change to “passport to be submitted.” At this point, click on “Additional Reminders from the consulate” to display the reminder content. Then, take a screenshot of the page. The screenshot must include the applicant’s name, barcode, and show the message from the embassy/consulate. You will need to submit this screenshot along with your passport to the embassy/consulate for get your Chinese visa.
3. Submit Your Application In Person
Note: As of October 23, 2023, appointments are not required for Chinese visa applications in the U.S.
- Submit the passport and approve page screen shot in person at the Visa Office; applications by mail are not accepted.
- If you cannot apply 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.
You should go to the Chinese Embassy’s visa section located at 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20007 for visa services, not the main embassy building. The visa office is separate from the main embassy building.
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday (except holidays): 9:30am—2:30pm
4. Processing Time
- Regular Service: 4 working days
- Express Service: 3 working days (for urgent situations)
Note: Processing times are average estimates. Some applications may require additional time. The pick-up date may not be confirmed until notified by the Visa Office.
5. 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 Oct 2025 and reflects the latest procedures and document requirements for New Chinese visa applicants at the Washington DC
Tip:
Applying for a China visa at the China embassy in Washington DC is straightforward if you’re prepared. Following these steps carefully will help ensure a smooth process and minimize delays in your travel plans.
If you are unable to apply in person, pressed for time, or prefer to avoid paperwork, you may use a trusted agency or expediting service like VisitChinaVisa.com. for our all inclusive service, Once your passport received, your visa will typically be issued within 3–5 business days.
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 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
For China visa, Our service fees are typically $155–$255, depending on processing speed.
For Canton fair, the fee will be depend on service you select.
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.
✨ Wishing you a smooth visa application and a wonderful trip to China!
