Frequently Asked Questions

No. Since January 1, 2024, US citizens applying for a China tourist visa (L) do not need to provide an invitation letter, flight booking, or hotel reservation. You only need your valid US passport, application form, photo, and proof of US residence.

The photo must be: (1) 48 × 33 mm (approximately 2 × 1.3 inches), (2) White background with plain, even lighting, (3) Taken within the last 6 months, (4) No smiling with teeth visible, (5) No glasses or hats, (6) Clear, in-focus, no shadows on face, (7) File size under 2MB. Applications with non-compliant photos will be rejected by the consulate.

The standard L visa for US citizens is typically valid for 10 years (multiple entry). Each stay is usually limited to 60 days per visit, though this can be extended in China. The actual duration depends on the consulate's decision.

If you previously held Chinese citizenship, you must provide your former Chinese passport and your naturalization certificate. You may need to apply using your former Chinese passport information. Contact us for a free assessment.

Standard service: 4–5 business days from the date we submit to the consulate. Expedited service: 2–3 business days. These timelines start after we receive your complete application and approve all documents.

Yes. All applicants must appear in person at the Chinese consulate (Los Angeles or San Francisco, depending on your state of residence) to submit biometrics (fingerprints) and have an interview. We handle everything else including appointment scheduling.

We will notify you immediately if your photo doesn't meet consulate standards. For Standard service, you can upload a new photo. For Expedited service, we offer rush photo correction guidance. We strongly recommend using a professional passport photo service.

We serve all 50 US states. However, applicants in the Los Angeles consular district (California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Hawaii, Guam) should apply through the Los Angeles consulate. All other states apply through the San Francisco consulate. We schedule appointments at both locations.

Visa decisions are made solely by the Chinese consulate. If an application is rejected, the consulate filing fee is non-refundable. Our service fee covers document preparation and submission only. We minimize rejection risk by thoroughly reviewing all materials before submission.

Yes. All documents and personal information are encrypted and stored securely. We only use your data for the visa application process. We do not sell or share your information with third parties. See our full Privacy Policy for details.

We accept all major US credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) via Stripe. Payment is processed securely. You pay only when your application is approved and ready for submission.

Yes. After submission, you'll receive a tracking number. You can check your status on our website using your order ID. You'll also receive email updates at each stage: received → reviewing → appointment scheduled → submitted → decision made.

COVA (China Online Visa Application) is the official online visa processing system launched by the Chinese Embassy in the US on September 30, 2025. All visa applications must now be submitted through the new COVA system. We complete the entire COVA application on your behalf — you don't need to navigate the system yourself.

The most common visa types for US citizens are: L Visa (Tourist) — for sightseeing, visiting family/friends; M Visa (Business) — for commercial activities; Q2 Visa (Family Visit) — for visiting Chinese relatives; S2 Visa (Private Affairs) — for personal matters. The L Visa (Tourist) is the most straightforward and does not require an invitation letter.

China offers a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy for US citizens traveling through China to a third country. This allows you to stay in 24 designated Chinese provinces and regions without a visa, as long as you have confirmed onward travel. This is different from a tourist visa and requires you to exit China within 240 hours.

The Chinese consulate filing fee is $140 for standard processing and $165 for expedited processing (includes $25 rush fee). This fee is paid directly to the consulate and is separate from our service fee. We collect this fee on your behalf only after your application has been reviewed and approved.

You need: (1) Valid US passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages, (2) Completed visa application form (we fill this out for you), (3) One recent passport-style photo (48×33mm, white background), (4) Proof of US residence (driver's license or utility bill), (5) Previous Chinese visas if applicable. No invitation letter, flight booking, or hotel reservation is required.

Yes, but additional requirements apply. If you were born in China or previously held Chinese citizenship, you must provide: (1) Your former Chinese passport (original and copy), (2) Your US naturalization certificate, (3) You may need to use your former Chinese name on the application. We handle these special cases regularly and will guide you through the process.

The L Visa (Tourist) is for sightseeing, visiting family or friends, and personal travel. It does not require an invitation letter for US citizens. The M Visa (Business) is for commercial and business activities and requires an invitation letter from a Chinese business entity. For most travelers, the L Visa is the appropriate choice.

US citizens can visit Hong Kong visa-free for up to 90 days and Macau visa-free for up to 30 days. However, if you plan to enter mainland China from Hong Kong or Macau, you still need a valid China visa. The Hong Kong and Macau visa policies are separate from mainland China's visa requirements.