Chinese Visa (L) Guide
Process
Fill out the COVA Form, print out the full set (8-9 pages), sign on the 8th page
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
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.
Processing time: Regular Service - 4 business days, Expedited Service - 3 business days
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
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.
Photocopy of the bio-page of the passport
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
Photocopy of the latest Chinese visa or the Chinese residence permit
Proof of Residence (e.g. , driver’s license, utility bill, bank bill)
Where You Stay Form (handwritten signature required)
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.
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.
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.
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)
Air tickets
Itinery
Invitation letter (please let Jia know if you need an invitation letter) or proof of booked accomodation