Expedited China Visa
San Francisco Consulate

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

• Visiting less than 180 days - S2 visa
• Visitng more than 180 days - S1 visa

Fill out the online China Visa Application (COVA) and upload scanned documents directly to the form.

After the application has been completed online, it will be reviewed by the Chinese embassy/consulate for approval. In some cases, you may be asked to make corrections or provide additional information. The approximate time for review is 4 business days.

Once the Chinese Embassy/consulate pre-approves your application, ship your physical passport and pre-approval documents to us to complete the process of obtaining your visa!

IMPORTANT
- Consular review time will vary and is separate from the visa processing time.
- Processing time starts when the approval is received and the physical documents are submitted to the embassy or consulate.

• Register a new account on the China Online Visa Application (COVA) website by entering your email and creating a password.
• All fields marked with an asterisk are mandatory. Some of these items have the option of [Not Applicable]. If a question does not apply, please tick "Not Applicable" to proceed.
• You may click the [Save] button to save an unfinished form, but the contents can only be kept for 30 days in the system. You can continue to fill in the unfinished form within 30 days by logging in to your account. Please make sure the form is completed correctly before you click the "Submit" button. Once the application is submitted, you cannot make any changes.
• After filling out the application form, you will upload the necessary documents to it directly.

The China visa application requires a copy of this document to be uploaded to your online form.
Your physical passport is also required

• Must have more than 6 months of validity remaining to apply for any visa
• Must contain at least 2 blank 'Visa' pages - 'Amendment' pages are not accepted for visa issuance

1. Clear and legible color copy of the information pages of your passport: Passport Scan Example.
2. Two (2) blank visa pages from your passport

The Chinese visa application requires digital/scan of this document to be uploaded to your online form.
A physical passport-style photo is also required.

For digital photo upload, you may either:

1. Scan a recent 2x2 passport photo OR;
2. Take a digital photo of yourself using a camera. Must be taken up against a white or light background - Click here for sample photo

For physical photo:

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.

The China visa application requires this document to be uploaded to your online form.

Upload one (1) of the acceptable proof of residence documents that matches the address entered on the application. P.O. Box address is not accepted.

• Valid Driver's License or State ID
• Most recent utility bill - Gas, water, or electric only
• Bank statement - remove account numbers

The China visa application requires this document to be uploaded to your online form.

1. Carefully read the statement and complete the relevant sections that apply to you.
2. Download and print
3. Sign with black or blue-ink pen. Digital signatures are not accepted
4. Scan complete and signed copy to upload to your online form

The Chinese visa application requires this document to be uploaded to the online form.

An invitation letter from your immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling, son or daughter, grandparent, grandson or granddaughter, parent-in-law).

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
• Letters must be signed and dated by the host relative.

The China visa application requires these documents to be uploaded to the online form.

For Q visa types

• Front and back copy of your host's Chinese National ID

• Copy of the relative's valid Chinese Residence Permit
• Copy of the relative's passport bio-data page

The China visa application requires this document to be uploaded to the online form.
The physical document may be required as well.

Proof of relationship with the host, such as a marriage or birth certificate.

S1 and Q1 applicants must also send the original proof of relationship document.

The China visa application requires a copy of this document to be uploaded to your online form.
The physical document may be required as well.

Is your visa still valid? How To Read a China Visa

If you have an expired or lost Chinese visa, upload the following:

1. A copy of your previous Chinese visa(s)
2. If issued on an old passport, a copy of that passport's information page
3. 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. Previous China Visa Missing (Sample Letter). 

• 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

1. Upload a copy of your valid visa.
2. If issued on an old passport, upload a copy of that passport's information page
   1. You must send the physical current/previous passport that contains the valid China visa as well

The China visa application requires a copy of this document to be uploaded to your online form.

If you hold dual citizenship, you must upload a copy of your additional passport(s).
In some cases, the original passport may be requested.



China Visa Exemption - do I need a visa?

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. 

The China visa application requires these documents to be uploaded to your online form.

Parents must submit the following documents:

For all minor applicants: 

• Copy of the child applicant's birth certificate
• 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)

• Copy of US Naturalization Certificate - If Chinese parent obtained US citizenship before child was born.
• Front and back copy of Green Card - If Chinese parent obtained US permanent residency before child was born.

• Copy of minor's adoption papers

• 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.

1. Your name must be typed in Chinese characters on question 1.1D "Chinese Name (in Chinese, if any)"
2. Select "China" on section 1.6 question "Have you ever had any other nationalities or resident status?"

• Copy of your last Chinese visa and passport it was issued in, if applicable.
• If first time applying for a Chinese visa, copy of the most recent Chinese passport + U.S. naturalization certificate.
  • Your physical Chinese passport must be sent as well
• Copy of proof of name change - if your name on your current passport is different from the above mentioned documents.

• Copy of your previous Chinese visa, if applicable.
• If first time applying for a Chinese visa, provide copy of your last-issued 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.

After your online application is reviewed and pre-approved by the consulate, you will send us the following physical documents:

• Application Information page with barcode and "Passport to be submitted" status. COVA Application Information Print Sample
• Valid passport
• Passport photo
• Previous passport with still-valid Chinese visa (if applicable)
• Previous Chinese passport (if applicable)
• Other documents requested by the embassy/consulate during review