(J1/J2）Chinese Journalist Visa

Step by Step Guide for China Journalist Visa (J1/J2 visa) in 2025 October

Notice: For applicants of China’s J1/J2 visa, the consulate office usually will calls the applicant after submission. Please pay attention and answer the call. The Chinese Journalist visa is issued to foreign journalists and correspondents traveling to China for news coverage. This visa is available in two types: J1 Visa: For resident journalists who will be staying in China for more than 180 days. This visa is usually issued to journalists who are assigned to a bureau or media office in China. J2 Visa: For short-term journalists staying in China for less than 180 days, typically for specific assignments or coverage.

Important note:

New China Visa Application System officially launched by the China 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.

To help applicants adapt to the new system, we are offering a Limited-Time All-Inclusive Service for $155 (regularly $195). The Consulate visa fee for $140. This service is available to applicants in all U.S. states and is ideal if you:

• Don’t have time to handle the process yourself

• Prefer to avoid complicated paperwork

• Need your visa urgently

All you need to do is fill out this short form: https://visitchinavisa.com/brief-form/, and then mail us your passport. That’s it—everything else is taken care of for you.

If you plan to complete the application form and upload the required documents by yourself, please refer to Two Step to get your China visa guide:

Two Step to get your China visa in US with new China visa  application system：

I, Fill out the application

Please refer our step by step guidance for China visa application with new system

Documents requirements for Upload when fill out China business visa (M visa) application

A Key documents to upload

(1), Passport: At least 6 months’ validity with at least two blank “visa” pages.

• Note: For U.S. passport holders, if the passport’s validity is less than one year, the consulate will not issue a 10-year multiple-entry visa. In most cases, a 6-month double-entry visa will be issued instead.

(2), Two blank  passport page with  word “visa”  on it

(3), Digital Photo: If you successfully upload a digital photo when filling out the application, The physical photo is not required. If you do not have a digital photo, please take one with your phone and use an ID photo app to make it yourself, or you may send it to us, and we will assist in creating it for free. Please refer the China visa photo guidance.

(4), Proof of Residence Copy of driver license  or utility bill or bank statement.

(5), China visa Application statement,  Please fill out and print out, then sign it and take photo then upload it.

(6),Invitation letter and Employment letter: A, Visa Notification Letter:  issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works B, Employment letter.

B, Other Support Documents

(1), If you have had Chinese visa before, please provide photocopy of the latest Chinese visa or the Chinese residence permit, if it on previous passport, then provide one photocopy for that passport. If you cannot locate your old visa, please contact us to request a template and provide a visa loss statement.

(2), If the applicant is a foreigner in the US, Please provide a photocopy of green card, US visa, I20, or I94 to prove their legal stay in the US.

(3), If the applicant was of Chinese nationality, this application is the first Chinese visa application after naturalization to US citizen, please provide 2 photocopies of the bio-page of the Chinese passport and a photocopy of naturalization certificate. In addition, the last physical Chinese passport is needed for the visa application.

(4), If you are a government employee or work for a non-profit organization, please provide a employer letter .

(5), If you have previously served in the military, please contact us to request a template and provide a military service statement;

(6), If you have traveled to certain countries, such as Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania,  Rwanda, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Nigeria, Tunisia or Syria within the past 12 months, please contact us to request a template and provide a travel history record.

(7), For U.S. citizens born in Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania,  Rwanda, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia or Syria, please contact us to request a template and provide a travel history record. Some applicants may be required to an in-person interview.

(8), If you current work at Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) or Non- Profit Organization, the employer letter and personal statement will required for you Chinese visa.

(9), If you have a criminal record, are currently in service, or have any other special or complex circumstances, please contact our visa specialist for an evaluation.

II, Submit and Pick up Passport with Chinese visa

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 the passport, a printed copy of the application information page with the barcode, and certain original documents requiring submitted on-site.

You can choose to submit it yourself to the consulate office in person. If everything goes smoothly, you’ll be able to pick up your visa in person after 4 business days.

Alternatively, you can entrust a reliable agency like Visit China Visa Center to handle it for you. To help applicants adapt to the new system, We provide Limited-Time Offer: For submission+ Pick up+ Mail back service for just $59, the consulate visa fee for $140. We offer this service for all US States.

    Please note: Online review approval does not guarantee visa issuance. Consular officers may require an in-person interview with the applicant or request additional documentation. Besides, processing times may vary depending on individual circumstances, and some visa applications may require longer processing time.

Note 1: Starting from January 1, 2024, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States will simplify application documents required for tourist visa (L-visa). Tourist visa applicants within the US will no longer be required to submit round-trip air tickets , proof of hotel reservation, itinerary or invitation letter.

Note 2: Starting from October 23, 2023, For apply Chinese visa in person, There’s no need to make online appointment beforehand.

Expedited Service:
If your travel schedule is truly urgent,  please contact our visa specialist to check for available expedited slots. We can prioritize your application to obtain your Chinese visa within 3 Business days.