. If you need to find which consulate or embassy is correct for your state of residence,
Who you visit and how long you plan to stay in China determines which visa type you will need to select on your application.
If visiting an immediate relative that is a Chinese citizen
-
Visiting less than 180 days - Q2 visa
-
Visitng more than 180 days - Q1 visa
If visiting an immediate relative that is residing in China with a Residence Permit for work or study
-
Visiting less than 180 days - S2 visa
-
Visitng more than 180 days - S1 visa
Note:
Q2 visa is issued up to 10-year multi-entry validity.
S2 visa validity is issued based your host relative's Chinese Residence Permit validity. Up to 10-year, multi-entry validity.
Q1 and S1 visas are issued for single-entry only. Travelers must obtain a Chinese Residence Permit within 30 days of arrival to China.
VERY IMPORTANT:
The Chinese Visa Application cannot be edited by hand and must be redone if there are errors, omissions, mistakes, etc. Do not click "Submit" on the online application yet!
After placing an order, but prior to sending your documents to us, you must email us a copy of your draft application for it to be reviewed.
-
Save the "Review" page of the form as a PDF file
-
Note your 6-digit order number on the subject line or within the email.
-
Email the following documents to Chinasupport@passportvisasexpress.com
-
Visa Application—draft for review
-
Passport ID page
-
Driver's License or recent Utility bill
-
Invitation Letter
-
Copy of host's Chinese ID or Residence Permit
-
Most Recent Chinese Visa—if applicable
-
Compensation Visa Statement - if applicable
After a quick review you will be contacted with next steps.
-
Have ready a digital or scan of your passport photo (2x2 inches). You will need to upload your photo to the online form
-
Print both the Visa Application and the Confirmation Document, single-sided on separate pieces of paper.
-
Hand-sign both the Visa Application and the Confirmation Document with black/blue ink pen only.
-
We highly recommend to review our China Visa Application Instructions to assist you in completing the online visa application.
Ready to apply? Select "
North America" and then "
Los Angeles" once you open
China Visa Application Form
You must send your physical passport – a copy is not acceptable.
-
Passport must have more than 6 months validity remaining to apply for a visa. Visa will not be issued with less than 6 months validity.
-
Must contain at least 2 blank "Visa" pages. “Amendment” pages are not acceptable for visa issuance.
One (1) physical passport-style photo must be provided. It can be a standard 2x2 inch U.S. passport size photo. It must meet the following specifications:
-
Taken within the last 6 months.
-
Printed on glossy photo paper
-
Taken on a white background. Clothing cannot match the background (avoid wearing white-colored clothing).
-
Neutral facial expression – eyes open, mouth closed, looking directly at camera.
-
Hair cannot cover eyebrows, eyes, or ears.
-
Jewelry, earrings, glasses must be removed.
Do not staple or tape your photo to the application – we will attach it for you.
China Photo Sample
Applicants must submit proof of residence to match the address on your application. P.O. Box address is not accepted.
Provide copy of one (1) of the following:
-
Valid Driver's License or State ID
-
Most recent utility bill - Gas, water, or electric only
For minor's (age 18 or under) proof of residence/address is provided by both parents.
You must be in the United States when applying for your Chinese visa.
Complete, print, and hand-sign the Where You Stay form.
An invitation letter is required from your immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling, son or daughter, grandparent, grandson or granddaughter, parent-in-law). You will need two letters, one in English and one in Chinese.
The letter must includes the following information:
-
Addressed to the corresponding consulate/embassy
-
State the host’s information:
-
Name
-
Gender
-
Date of birth
-
Chinese ID number or Chinese Residence Permit number
-
Current address in China
-
Phone number in China
-
Email address
-
Must state the following verbatim: ‘I hereby invite the following relative(s) to visit China for [short-term visit/long-term residence]. [He/She] plans to enter China on [date], and stay in China for [X number of days].’
-
The applicant’s information must be included in the body of the invitation letter:
-
Name
-
Gender
-
Date of birth
-
Nationality
-
Passport Number
-
Relationship to host
-
Both letters must be signed and dated.
Letters can be scanned and emailed to you.
For Q visas
Provide a front and back copy of your host's Chinese national ID
For S visas
Provide a copy of the host's valid Chinese Residence Permit and bio-data page of their passport
For Q2 and S2
Provide a copy of document that shows proof of relationship with the host, such as a marriage or birth certificate
For Q1 and S1
Provide the original document that shows proof of relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate.
Is your visa still valid? How To Read Your China Visa
If you have an expired Chinese visa, you must provide one of the following:
-
A copy of your previous Chinese visa(s) and a copy of the bio-data page from the passport the visa was issued in.
-
If you no longer have record of your previous visa or passport it was issued in, a signed letter of explanation must be provided detailing why you are unable to provide it. In some cases, processing time may be extended to investigate the missing visa data. Previous China Visa Missing (Sample Letter).
If you have a
valid Chinese visa in a current/previous passport, you can only apply for a new visa if you fit one of the following situations:
-
You are applying for a new visa type
-
Your name, nationality, sex, or date of birth changed on your new passport
-
Your old passport with valid visa is severely damaged
-
Your visa expires before your upcoming trip to China
In these situations, the valid visa must be cancelled in order to receive a new one. Provide the following:
If you hold an expired 10-year Chinese visa that was suspended for use from March 28, 2020 thru March 14, 2023 due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a 3-year Compensation Visa.
To qualify, ALL criteria below must be met:
-
Your visa was issued before March 28, 2020
-
The passport with visa is still in your possession
-
Your visa must be expired
-
Your visa must not have been previously cancelled by Chinese authority
-
You are applying for the same visa type
If eligible, you have 2 options:
-
Opt-in to receive a 3-year Compensation Visa for gratis/free (consular expedite fees apply)
-
Waive compensation and continue your request for a new 10-year visa
If you opt-in for a Compensation Visa, the consular fee will be refunded (minus any expedite fees) once your order is complete.
A signed letter stating your details of your employment is required of applicants working in the following fields, areas or occupations:
Self-Employed, Social Media Platforms, Religious Organizations, Non-Profit Organization, Journalism, Film/Photography Company, News Media, Government Employees, Laboratory/Research Facilities or NGOs.
If you have a family member that has served, or is serving in the military or law-inforcement, and you have mentioned this information on your visa application, a completed 'declaration' is required.
Declaration of Family Member’s Information
If you hold dual citizenship, you must provide a copy of your other nationality passport.
In some cases, the original passport may be requested.
China Visa Exemption - do I need a visa?
- Until December 31, 2025, passport holders of the following countries are allowed to enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business (M and F types), or family visits.
Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan.
- Starting June 01, 2025 until May 31, 2026, passport holders of the following countries are allowed to enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, or family visits.
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay
-
Starting June 09, 2025 until June 08, 2026, passport holders of the following countries are allowed to enter China
visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, or family visits.
Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain
If you have previously traveled to Turkey with your current passport, a statement letter detailing the trip(s) is required.
-
Address letter to (Embassy/Consulate General) of P.R. China
-
Provide details of your trip(s) to Turkey.
-
Dates of travel
-
Locations visited
-
Purpose of travel.
-
Handwritten signature is required
Parents must sign on behalf of the minor applicant
-
Both parents sign the "Confirmation of Online Application" page
-
Both parents sign page 7/7, section 9.1A of the visa application
-
One parent signs page 7/7, section 9.2E of the visa application
-
Both parents sign the "Where You" Stay" form
Parents must submit the following documents:
-
Copy of minor's birth certificate.
-
Copy of minor's adoption papers (if any).
-
Copy of both parents' passport data page.
-
Copy of both parents' Driver's License/State ID or utility bill.
-
If a parent is not a US citizen, provide a copy of current U.S. status (visa or green card).
-
If one or both parents are Chinese citizen, the child's original birth certificate must be submitted.
If one parent has full custody of the minor, provide
one of the following:
-
Copy of proof of full legal custody of minor
-
Copy of death certificate of deceased parent
IMPORTANT:
If one or both parents are Chinese citizen without a 10-year valid U.S. permanent resident card, or permanent residency was obtained after the child was born, we cannot assist you. In this case, the parents and the applicant must apply with the embassy/consulate directly for a Chinese Travel Document, even if the minor holds a U.S. passport.
Your name must be typed in Chinese characters on Section 1.1D of the visa application.
If you were born in mainland China, you must provide the following:
-
Copy of your last Chinese visa and passport it was issued in, if applicable.
-
If first time applying for a Chinese visa, provide the most recent physical Chinese passport and a copy of your U.S. naturalization certificate.
-
Copy of proof of name change - if your name on your current passport is different from the above mentioned documents.
If you were born in Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, you must provide the following:
-
Copy of your previous Chinese visa, if applicable.
-
If first time applying for a Chinese visa, provide copy of your most recent Hong Kong or Taiwan passport data page - if you are no longer in possession of your last passport, a copy of your birth certificate must be provided.
-
Copy of proof of name change - if your name on your current passport is different from the above mentioned documents.
- If the above cannot be provided, visa process may take months and may be requested to apply for a Chinese Travel Document instead.
- If you still have Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan citizenship, we cannot assist you. You may be required to apply for a Mainland Travel Permit (for Hong Kong or Macau nationals) or Taiwan Compatriot Permit (For Taiwan nationals)
Your Chinese visa is processed through the Embassy in Washington D.C., Consulate of jurisdiction, or online.
We review your application prior to submission for visa processing.
When your Chinese visa is issued it will be sent to you the same day.
Our team thoroughly reviews and quickly submits your Chinese China Family Visit Visa application,
keeps you informed every step of the way, and gets your Chinese visa in your hand ASAP!
. Have any questions? Please contact us at any time for assistance.