Chinese Visa (L) Guide

Process

  1. Fill out the COVA Form, print out the full set (8-9 pages), sign on the 8th page

  2. Prepare other needed documents (see below). US applicants only need basic required documents. If applying from locations not in the U.S., supporting documents are also needed

  3. Submit documents to the Consulate General/Chinese Embassy of your location. Pay the visa application fee at the Visa Office.

    • Visa Fee: $140 flat fee for U.S. Citizens, $23-$68 for Non-U.S. Citizens based on the number of entry

    • An appointment is not required to submit your visa. Walk-in during office hours.

    • No mail-in service or passport delivery service is available. However, you can ask a friend, agent, or representative.

  4. Processing time: Regular Service - 4 business days, Expedited Service - 3 business days

  5. Locations and Office Hours (Except for holidays)

    • New York: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM -2:30 PM http://newyork.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/lgxx/zlgxx_10/lgzygy/

    • Chicago: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM -2:30 PM http://chicago.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/lgxx/gywm/200711/t20071106_5496383.htm

    • SF: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM -2:30 PM http://sanfrancisco.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/contactus/

Basic Required Documents

  1. Passport (The remaining validity must be more than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages) *If the previous multi-year multi-entry visa is on the old passport, the old passport is required to be submitted.

  2. Photocopy of the bio-page of the passport

  3. COVA Visa Form. Please log on to https://cova.mfa.gov.cn to fill out the form online (Please follow “Important Tips for online COVA visa form filling")

    • In the “Information About Your Intended Stay'“, for inviting person, please use the following info

      • Name: Xiaolan Qian

      • Relationship to you: Friend & mother of the bride for a wedding that I am attending

      • Phone number: +8613952415891

      • Email address: 993211969@qq.com

      • Province/State: Jiangsu

      • City: Suzhou

      • Post code: 215200

  4. Photocopy of the latest Chinese visa or the Chinese residence permit

  5. Proof of Residence (e.g. , driver’s license, utility bill, bank bill)

  6. Where You Stay Form (handwritten signature required)

  7. If the applicant is a foreigner in the US, they need to provide a photocopy of green card, visa, I20, or I94 to prove their legal residence in the US.

  8. If the applicant was of Chinese nationality, this application is the first Chinese visa application after naturalization in a foreign country, 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.

  9. If the applicant's name has been changed, and it is the first time to apply for a Chinese visa after the name change, a photocopy of the name change document is required.

  10. For the visa application by a minor of Chinese origin born in the US, please follow the guidance.

Supporting Documents (Not applicable for people applying in the US)

  1. Air tickets

  2. Itinery

  3. Invitation letter (please let Jia know if you need an invitation letter) or proof of booked accomodation