Did you hold a 10-year multiple-entry Chinese visa before the COVID-19 pandemic? If your visa was temporarily unusable because of COVID-19 restrictions, you may qualify for a free 3-year multiple-entry Chinese visa as compensation.
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States have announced compensation arrangements for eligible U.S. citizens whose qualifying long-term Chinese visas were affected between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023.
Visit China Visa Center helps applicants understand the requirements, prepare their applications, review documents, and coordinate passport submission. This guide explains who may qualify, which documents may be needed, how to apply, and what costs to expect.
1. Who Is Eligible for a Free 3 Year Chinese Visa?
According to the official compensation policy, U.S. citizens may qualify if they meet the applicable requirements.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen holding a qualifying U.S. passport.
- Previous Chinese visa: You held a 10 year, multiple-entry Chinese visa issued by a Chinese visa authority outside China before March 28, 2020.
- COVID-19 suspension period: Your visa was temporarily unusable during the period from March 28, 2020, through March 14, 2023, because of COVID-19 restrictions.
- No subsequent qualifying visa or residence permit: You were not issued a new multi-year, multiple-entry Chinese visa or a Chinese residence permit after March 28, 2020.
- Original visa has expired: You may choose to apply for compensation after the original visa expires. Check your visa’s expiration date and the requirements of the Chinese consulate serving your state before applying.
- Same Visa Type: The 3-year fee-exempt visa you plan to apply for must be of the same type as your previous 10-year visa. For example, China Tourist Visa (L), China Business Visa (M), China Family Visit Visa (Q2 or S2), or China High-Level Talent Visa (R).
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States state that eligible applicants may apply for a three-year multiple-entry visa without the regular consular visa fee.
Official source: Compensation Arrangements for the Use-Suspension of 10-Year Multi-Entry Visa due to COVID-19.
Important: Eligibility is determined by the applicable consular requirements. Meeting the basic conditions does not guarantee approval.
2. What Type of Visa Can You Receive?
Eligible applicants may choose between applying for a compensation visa or applying for a new visa under the normal fee schedule.
| Feature | Compensation Visa | New Visa Under Normal Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Visa validity | Generally up to 3 years under the compensation arrangement | May be up to 10 years for eligible applicants |
| Number of entries | Multiple entries | Depends on the visa issued |
| Government consular visa fee | Waived for an eligible compensation application | Regular applicable fee |
| Application procedure | Normal application procedure and document requirements | Normal application procedure and document requirements |
| Final decision | Determined by the Chinese consular authority | Determined by the Chinese consular authority |
The compensation option is intended to address the period during which a qualifying visa could not be used. The new visa option may be preferable for travelers who want to apply for a new 10-year visa and are willing to pay the applicable fees.
The validity, number of entries, and permitted stay are determined by the consular authority. Do not assume that every applicant will receive identical visa terms.
3. Documents You May Need
A compensation application must follow the normal visa application process. The exact document checklist may vary by consular jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
Prepare the following documents for review:
- Valid U.S. passport: Check the passport validity and available visa pages against the current consular requirements.
- Original Previous Passport and Previous Chinese visa: Provide the original qualifying Chinese visa and the relevant passport containing it, as required by the consulate.
- Passport information page: Prepare a clear copy of the biographical page of your current passport.
- Two Passport Blank Page: Visa” Pages Only: The pages must explicitly say “VISAS” at the top
- Visa application form: Complete the current China Online Visa Application (COVA) process and upload the requested materials.
- Proof of U.S. residence: Provide an accepted document, such as a driver’s license or another form of proof of residence, as required by your consulate.
- Compensation declaration or form: Complete any compensation-specific declaration or form required by the consulate serving your state. Download 3 year China Visa Compensation Consent Statement , for Los Angeles Consulate: Los Angeles 3 year Visa Compensation Declaration
- Invitation letter: No invitation letter required for L Visa (Tourist). Business Visa (M), Family Visit Visa (Q2 or S2), and High-Level Talent Visa (R) require the corresponding invitation letters and relevant supporting documents.
- Additional supporting documents: Supply any other documents requested by the consular authority.
Your application may require additional documents depending on your previous visa, passport history, and personal circumstances.
4. How to Apply for a Free 3-Year Chinese Compensation Visa
The compensation visa is not automatically issued. Eligible applicants must submit a new application through the normal visa process and specifically identify it as a compensation application.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that your previous Chinese visa was issued before March 28, 2020, that it was affected during the specified COVID-19 period, and that you have not received a disqualifying new visa or Chinese residence permit since then.
Check whether your previous visa has expired and review any additional requirements published by the consulate serving your state.
Make sure you will apply same type 3 year China visa as your previous 10 year China visa.
Step 2: Complete the Online Visa Application
Use the official China Online Visa Application System (COVA) to complete the application and upload the required documents. You may refer to our Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the China Online Visa Application(COVA)
Select the appropriate visa category corresponding to your previous qualifying visa. For example, if your previous visa was a tourist visa, the compensation application should follow the applicable requirements for that category.
Follow the current online instructions carefully. In the document upload section, you must upload the 3-year China Visa Compensation Consent Statement.
Step 3: Submit Your Passport Through the Applicable Procedure
Follow the instructions of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General serving your state. Depending on the jurisdiction, the application now require online preliminary review, When your application status change to :passport to be submitted”, followed by passport submission by the applicant or an authorized agent. The documents required : your current passport, the previous passport containing the qualifying visa, screenshot of barcode page, 3-year China Visa Compensation Consent Statement.
When submitting your original passport and other required materials in person at Consulate office, tell the visa office staff that you are applying for a COVID-19 visa 3 year compensation visa.
This is an important part of the published compensation procedure. Do not assume that the consulate will automatically classify your application as a compensation request.
Step 4: Wait for Processing and Passport Return
The consular authority will review your application and determine whether to issue the compensation visa. Processing times vary, and additional documents may be requested.
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.
- 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.
5. Is the Entire Application Free?
No. The compensation arrangement waives the applicable government consular visa fee for eligible compensation applications. It does not necessarily make every part of the application free.
You may still need to pay for:
- Professional visa application assistance from a private service provider.
- Optional expedited processing, where available.
- Passport shipping and return delivery.
- Other services or expenses that are not covered by the government fee waiver.
Visit China Visa Center is a private visa assistance service provider, not a government agency. If you would like help with your compensation application, contact us to confirm the service fee, required documents, processing options, and shipping arrangements before ordering.
- All-Inclusive Service: For applicants who want broader application preparation assistance.
- Submit-Only Service: For eligible applicants who have completed the online application process and need passport submission and return assistance.
Please note that a government fee waiver does not guarantee approval or eliminate all application-related costs.
6. Which Chinese Consulate Should You Apply Through?
Your application must be handled according to the consular jurisdiction serving your U.S. state or residence. The appropriate jurisdiction is not necessarily the one closest to your home.
Chinese Visa Consular Jurisdictions for Applicants in the United States
| 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 |
Visit China Visa Center provides application assistance for customers throughout the United States. The appropriate consular jurisdiction, current document requirements, and processing options must be confirmed based on the applicant’s residence and circumstances.
For the latest official information, consult the Chinese Embassy’s visa application requirements and procedures and the relevant Chinese Consulate-General’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can every U.S. citizen receive a free 3-year Chinese visa?
No. The compensation arrangement applies to qualifying U.S. citizens who held 10 year, multiple-entry Chinese visas issued before March 28, 2020, and whose visas were affected by the COVID-19 suspension period. Additional requirements apply.
Does my old 10-year Chinese visa need to be expired?
Yes, The published policy allows applicants to seek compensation after their original visa expires. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General also state that they will not accept a new application of the same category when the existing 10-year multiple-entry visa has more than six months of validity remaining. Confirm the requirements applicable to your case before applying.
Is the three-year compensation visa really free?
The applicable government consular visa fee is waived for eligible compensation applications. Private application assistance fees, shipping fees, and applicable expedited service fees may still apply.
Can I apply if I received another Chinese visa after March 28, 2020?
If you received a new multi-year, multiple-entry Chinese visa or a Chinese residence permit after March 28, 2020, the official U.S. compensation policy states that you cannot receive compensation for the original qualifying visa. Confirm your circumstances with the appropriate consular authority if you are unsure whether a previous document affects eligibility.
Can I apply for a new 10-year visa instead?
The published policy allows eligible applicants to decline the compensation option and apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa under the normal fee schedule, if eligible. The consular authority determines the visa issued.
Will I automatically receive a three-year multiple-entry visa?
No. You must complete the required application procedure and satisfy the applicable requirements. The consular authority makes the final decision on the visa type, validity, entries, and stay duration.
Do I need to submit my old passport?
Yes, You need to provide the original passport containing your previous Chinese visa.
Can Visit China Visa Center help with my application?
Yes. Visit China Visa Center can help you understand the application process, review your documents, assist with application preparation, and coordinate passport submission and return. Our service fees are separate from any government fee waiver. Contact us to confirm the service available for your particular compensation application.
Get Help With Your China Visa Compensation Application
If you held a qualifying Chinese multiple-entry visa before the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be worth checking whether you qualify for the three-year compensation arrangement before paying for a new visa.
Visit China Visa Center provides professional China visa application assistance for eligible applicants across the United States.
Ready to Apply?
Start by completing our China visa short form.
We’ll use your basic information to help identify the China visa requirements and supporting documents that may apply to your situation.
Contact us before ordering so we can help you confirm the applicable requirements, service fees, and submission procedure.
Toll-Free Support: 800-889-2077
Direct / Local Line: 202-202-2888
Email: service@visitchinavisa.com
Disclaimer: Visit China Visa Center is an independent private visa assistance service provider and is not affiliated with the Chinese government. Visa compensation eligibility, document requirements, processing, and issuance are determined by the relevant Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General. Official requirements may change; verify the latest instructions before applying.
