(L)Chinese Tourist Visa

What Is a Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa)?

A Chinese tourist visa, also known as China L visa, is intended for foreign nationals traveling to China for tourism and sightseeing. The visa’s validity, number of entries, and permitted length of stay depend on the visa issued and the applicant’s circumstances.

U.S. passport holders may qualify for a 10 year multiple-entry tourist visa, However, visa validity and permitted stay are determined by the Chinese authorities and are not guaranteed by a visa service provider.

Chinese Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Applicants 

Basic Documents

• Original valid U.S. passport
• Two blank pages of passport
• Copy of passport information page
• Proof of residence (driver’s license, utility bill, or bank statement)

Supplementary documents (as applicable):

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. For applicants formerly of Chinese nationality: If this is your first Chinese visa after naturalization, provide a copies of the Chinese passport bio page, a copy of your naturalization certificate, and the last physical Chinese passport.
4. U.S.-Born Applicants of Chinese Heritage: If applying for your first Chinese visa, A copy of your birth certificate and Copies of both parents’ passport biographical information pages and Copies of your parents’ Green Cards or naturalization certificates, as applicable
5. Applicants Under 18 Years Old: A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate and Copies of both parents’ passport biographical information pages
6. Applicants Who Have Legally Changed Their Names: If your legal name has changed since your previous passport or Chinese visa was issued, you may need to provide official documentation linking your former name to your current name, Such as: Marriage certificate or Court-issued legal name change order or Divorce decree showing the name change.
7. U.S. Citizens Born in Asian Countries: Provide a copy of their U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
8. Government or non-profit employees: Provide an employer letter.
9. Former military service: Please contact us for a template and submit a military service statement.
10. Recent travel to specific countries: If you have visited Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria in the past 12 months, contact us for a template and provide a travel history record.
11. U.S. citizens born in specific countries: (Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria) must provide a travel history record. An in-person interview may be required.
12. NGO or NPO employees: Submit both an employer letter and a personal statement.
13. Applicants Working in Media or Religious Sectors: Submit both an employer letter and a personal statement.
14. Applicants with a Criminal History: May required : An in-person interview or Fingerprints or other biometric information, if required or Additional supporting documentation.
15. China-Born Applicants of Tibetan or Uyghur Ethnicity: May required: In-person interview

How to Apply for a Chinese Visa Through Visit China Visa Center

Step 1: Place Your Order And Complete China visa  Short Form

Place your order online and complete China visa short form. You do not need to manage the full application alone.

Start your China visa order or complete the China visa Short form.

Our service includes:

• COVA form-filling
• Document review
• Free consultation
• Free Chinese visa photo assistance
• Free Printing assistance
• China Consulate office submission
• Passport pickup
• Secure return shipping
• Processing status guidance

Step 2: Mail Your Passport And Documents

After ordering, You will  be guide to send your passports and supporting documents to the address provided by Visit China Visa Center.

Note： Use trackable shipping. Your passport is required for the final visa issuance.

From this step on, you don’t need to take any further action; just sit back and wait for your passport with the China visa to be mailed back to you

Step 3: We Submits The Passport In China consulate office

After receive your passport, We takes the required materials to the China consulate office.

We generally submits:

• Original passport
• Printed COVA application information page
• Required supporting documents
• Any original documents requested by the Consulate

The China Consulate office decides whether to approve the visa and determines the final validity, entries, and duration of stay.

Step 4: We Pick Up And Return Your Passport

After consular processed, We picks up your passport , then same day we send it out to your address with trackable shipping.

 

China Visa Processing Time and Expedited Service

Visit China Visa Center offers regular and expedited service options when available.

Processing estimates are not guarantees of visa issuance or delivery by a specific date. Additional review, consular closures, shipping delays, and requests for further documents may affect the timeline.

 

What Is Included in the All-Inclusive China Visa Service?

The China visa application process for U.S. applicants living outside consular cities is often complex and time-consuming. Applicants must complete the official China Online Visa Application (COVA) system, pass a preliminary document review, travel to a designated consulate jurisdiction, and return in person to retrieve their processed passport.

Visit China Visa Center provides:

• All-inclusive service
• All visa types
• Fast 5-8 business day processing target
• No hidden fees
• Form-filling assistance
• Free consultation
• Free Photo assistance
• Free Document review
• Consulate office submission and pickup
• Secure return shipping
• 100% refund guarantee if the visa is not granted

You remain responsible for providing true, complete information and valid documents. We cannot control a consular decision, request for interview, holiday closure, or additional security review.

Important Notes For US Applicants

1. Do not mail your application directly to the China Consulate office. It does not accept direct mailed-in applications.
2. The 5-8 day timeline starts after we receive complete documents and your passport. Shipping delays or missing information can extend processing.
3. A 10-year visa is not guaranteed. U.S. citizens may request it, but the Consulate makes the final decision.
4. Check passport validity before ordering. A passport with limited remaining validity less than 1 year may not qualify for a 10-year visa.
5. Use the correct visa category. L is for tourism. M is for business. Q2 is for Family Visit.
6. Notify us about special circumstances, including prior Chinese nationality, military service, government employment, nonprofit employment, criminal records, or travel to certain countries.
7. Review the latest official requirements from the China embassy before submitting.

Please Note: Do not request an Chinese Tourist visa(L Visa) if your real purpose is Business, Work, Study, or Family visit. The visa purpose must match your planned activities.

 

Any questions?

For questions, call 800 889 2077 or 202-202-2888 or email service@visitchinavisa.com.

FAQ

• Q: Can U.S. citizens apply for a 10-year Chinese tourist visa?

  
  
  • A: Eligible U.S. citizens may qualify for a 10-year multiple-entry Chinese visa. The actual validity, entry permissions, and permitted stay are determined by the Chinese authorities.

• Q: Do I need an invitation letter to apply for a Chinese tourist visa?

  
  
  • A: An invitation letter is generally not required for an ordinary tourist visa application under the simplified document rules for applications in the United States. Individual cases may require additional documentation.

• Q: Can I mail my passport and application directly to the China Consulate office?

  
  
  • A:  No, China consulate in U.S.  does not accept direct mailed-in applications. You will need submit passport and confirmation page in person or by agent. 
• Q: What is the processing time for a China Tourist Visa?
  • A: We offer two tiers of service: Regular Service typically takes 9–12 business days, while our Expedited Service accelerates the process to 5–8 business days after all correct documents are received.
• Q: Do I need a physical hotel booking and flight itinerary to apply?
  • A: No, 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: How long can I stay in China on an L Visa?
  • A:  For US Citizens, typically you will get 10 year multiple visa, allow stays of 90 days per entry.
• Q: Do I need to mail my physical passport to you?
  • A: Yes, For most jurisdictions, the Chinese consulate requires the physical passport to stamp the visa. 

Disclaimer:

Visit China Visa Center is an independent informational guidance platform and is not affiliated with the Chinese Embassy or any government consular authorities.

For the latest official requirements, applicants should always refer to the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for their jurisdiction.