Q: Do I need a visa to travel to China?
A: Most foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, require a visa to enter China. There are some limited visa-free policies (e.g., 240-hour transit visa), but they do not apply to most tourists or business travelers. If you’re unsure, contact us for a free consultation
Q: What type of visa do I need for my trip (tourism, business, visiting family, study, work)?
A: For US citizens, popular China visa are L Visa (Tourist Visa) , M Visa (Business Visa), Q1/Q2 Visa (Family Reunion visa). Here are the main types of ordinary Chinese visas:
L Visa (Tourist Visa): Issued to foreigners who intend to go to China as a tourist, for sightseeing, visiting friends, or other non-business activities.
M Visa (Business Visa): Issued to foreigners who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities, such as attending meetings, signing contracts, or participating in trade fairs.
Q2/Q1 Visa (Family Reunion/Visit Visa for Chinese Citizens’ Relatives): Issued to foreigners who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence.
F Visa (Non-Commercial Visit Visa): Issued to foreigners who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours, and other non-business activities (e.g., academic exchanges, cultural exchanges, non-profit performances, volunteering, short-term research).
Z Visa (Work Visa): Issued to foreigners who intend to work in China.
X1/X2 Visa (Student Visa): Issued to foreigners who intend to study in China.
Q: Can I apply Chinese visa by mail in US?
A: When applying for a Chinese visa in the United States, Chinese Embassies and Consulates do not accept applications by mail. Once you have all your required documents ready, you can either apply in person at the consulate or entrust a trusted agency, like Visitchinavisa, to handle the application for you.
Q: Do I need to submit my physical passport for apply Chinese visa?
A: Yes, You’ll need submit your original passport because the Chinese visa will stick in one of you passport page.
Q: Do I need to provide fingerprint for Chinese visa in US?
A: As of 2025, applying for a Chinese visa in the United States does not require fingerprint collection or an in-person interview. You can either apply at the visa center in person or authorize a trust agent like VisitChinavisa to apply on your behalf.
Q: Can someone else submit or pick up my visa for me?
A, Yes, As of 2025, applying for a Chinese visa in the United States does not require fingerprint collection or an in-person interview. You can either apply at the visa center in person or authorize a trust agent like VisitChinavisa to submit or pick up your visa on your behalf.
Q: What are the specific requirements for the China visa photo?
A: Currently, only an electronic photo is required for a Chinese visa application. If you successfully upload the electronic photo when filling out New online Chinese visa application, a physical paper photo is no longer needed. The electronic photo must have a white background, and your face must be fully visible with no obstructions. For create a photo, please refer to our Chinese Visa Photo Guide.
Q: Do I need flight tickets and hotel reservations for a China visa?
A: As of January 1, 2024, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States have simplified required documents for China visa applications. U.S.-based applicants no longer need to submit round-trip air tickets, hotel reservations, and itineraries for their Chinese visa application, However, if you request 3 days express service, some consulates may still require a flight reservation to China in 10 days.
Q: What are the requirements for an invitation letter for Chinese business visas?
A: Business invitation letter for Chinese business visa is an invitation letter issued by a trade partner or relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation letter generally includes information about the itinerary in China, the inviter’s details, the inviting party’s information, as well as stamps and signatures. You may download templates at : Chinese-Business-visa-Invitation-Letter-Sample.doc
Q:What if I’ve traveled to certain countries like Turkey recently?
A: If you have traveled to certain countries, such as Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria within the past 12 months, You will need provide travel record statement, please contact us to request a template.
Q: Can I extend my visa once I’m in China?
A: Yes, Any foreign national having entered China with an ordinary visa for non-diplomatic or non-official purposes, who intends to stay in China longer, can apply in person to have his/her visa extended, replaced, or reissued through the exit-entry administration of a public security organ, normally, can be extended from 15-180 days.
Q: I have a valid Chinese visa in an old/expired passport, can I still use it with my new passport?
A: Yes, You can travel to China with a valid Chinese visa in your old passport, even if the passport has expired, as long as the personal details (name, date of birth, gender, and nationality) are same on both passports and the visa is still valid. You’ll need to carry both passports when traveling to China.
Q: Is China open to US tourists? Is China giving tourist visas now?
A: Starting from 15 March 2023, China is reopening to foreign tourists, and has announced to issuing all kinds of visa, as well as honouring previous visas.
Q: Is it easy for Americans to get a Chinese visa?
A: For most Americans, it is fairly straightforward to obtain a Chinese visa, especially for tourism or business purposes, as long as the your followed VisitChinavisa guidance and documents prepared carefully, getting a Chinese visa is not difficult or unusually time-consuming
Where to get a Chinese visa in the USA?
A: As of 2025, There have China embassy and 4 Chinese consulates : Washington, DC., Chicago, IL., Los Angeles, CA., New York, NY. San Francisco, CA. You can refer latest jurisdiction adjustment for detailed information.
Q: Do I need an appointment to apply for a China visa in US?
A: No. From October 23, 2023, appointments are not required for Chinese visa applications in the U.S.
Q: Can I walk in for a China visa?
A: Yes, From October 23, 2023, appointments are not required for Chinese visa applications in the U.S.
Q: How much does a Chinese visa cost for a US citizen?
A: The Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the US will continue to reduce the visa fees until December 31, 2025. The reduced fees are as follows:
Regular Visa Service Fees (For Most visa type, China visa fee for us citizens will be $140 till end of year 2025)
| Number of Entry | U.S.Citizen | Non-U.S. Citizen* |
| Single Entry | $140 | $23 |
| Double Entries | $34 | |
| Multiple Entriesfor 6 Months | $45 | |
| Multiple Entriesfor 12 Months or more | $68 | |
| J1/J2 | $171 |
Q: How long does it take for a China visa to be approved?
A: Processing Time
Regular Service: 4 working days
Express Service: 3 working days
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.
Q: Can US citizens apply for a China visa online?
A: You can not get Chinese visa online in the United States. The specific steps are as follows:
New China visa application: Applicants must fill China Online Visa Application online and submit, After the application pre review is approved, the status will display as “Passport to be submitted.” The applicant or agent should visit the Visa office of the Corresponding consular office to submit :1, passport, 2, a printed copy of the application information page with your name, the barcode and show the consulate message, Some applicants may ask to proved certain original documents requiring submitted on-site.
In-Person Submission of Documents: After completing the online form, the applicant (or use trust agent like visitChinavisa) must bring the printed form and required documents to the appropriate Chinese consulate or visa section for in-person submission.
Q: Can US citizen get a 10-year visa for China?
A: Yes, most U.S. citizens are eligible for a 10-year multiple-entry visa to China, As long as you meet the requirements. This visa allows stays of up to 90 or 180 days per entry, like L-tourist visa or M-business visa or Q2-family visit Visa. Please note: For F-exchange visa, you will mostly only get 6 months visa.
Q: Is visitchinavisa legally?
A: Yes, visitchinavisa is a legally registered private company based in Washington D.C., USA. It is an authorized agency registered with the Chinese Embassy and the U.S. Department of State, providing visa application services for China and US passport new and renewal application expediting services for the United States on behalf of clients.
Q: Can you get a Chinese visa in one day in US?
A: Normally, Regular process: 4 working days, Express process: 3 working days.
it’s very difficult to obtain a Chinese visa within one day. If your situation is truly urgent, please contact the visa center of the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate directly for consultation. Alternatively, you may utilize China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
Q: What documents are required for China visa?
A: Different applicants may have varying document requirements, but the basic documents remain the same. For China Tourist Visa Applications, the Required Documents Include:
1. Physical passport
2. Photo of passport information page
3, Copy of driver license
4. Photo of Two passport blank page
5. Signed Visa Application statement
Q: Can you help if I made a mistake on my application?
A: Yes. If you’re using our all inclusive service, All you need to do is fill out this brief form: https://visitchinavisa.com/brief-form/, Then You just need to mail us your passport, that’s it.
Q: What is the fastest way to get a Chinese visa?
A: The fastest way to get a Chinese visa is use express processing service, which can process your visa as fast as in 3 working days. Some applications may require additional process time.
Q: How long before my trip should I apply for a visa?
A: Standard recommendation: To avoid travel delays, we generally advise start your Chinese visa application approximately 2 months before your planned departure date.
Q: How long can I stay in China with a tourist/business visa?
A: Typically, 90 days per entry for US citizens
Q: What if my passport name differs from a previous Chinese visa?
A: You must provide an official document of name change apply a new Chinese Visa. In certain cases, such as adding or removing a middle name, a new Chinese visa can be obtained by submitting a declaration without provide name change document.
Q: How to place order from visitchinavisa.com?
A, To place an order, simply browse our website, select your desired visa type, add them to cart, and proceed to the checkout page. Follow the prompts to provide your shipping and payment information, and your order will be processed. Our Specialist will get back to you within 24 hours.
Q: How you will mail back my passport after Chinese visa issued?
Mostly We will use FedEx or UPS to shipping back your passport. For Puerto Rico, Guan island applications, We will use USPS to shipping back you passport. Shipping times vary depending on your location. Typically, you can receive your passport in 1-2 business days, You will receive a tracking number once your passport has been shipped.
Q: Do you offer international shipping?
Yes, especially for Apostille, We will use FedEx or UPS to shipping back your documents, most country may take 2-5 business days, depending on your location.