China Visa Processing Time & Fees
Regular ~4 days · Express is faster · U.S. citizens pay a reciprocity fee — current figures and how to verify them.
Quick answer: Regular China visa processing from the U.S. is about 4 business days; express service is faster for an added fee. U.S. citizens pay a reciprocity fee on top of the base visa fee, so total cost is higher than for many other nationalities. Always verify the current schedule with the mission serving your district.
Processing time
- Regular: about 4 business days
- Express: about 2 to 3 business days where offered (extra fee)
- Mail-in: add shipping and handling time
Times are estimates; holiday and summer peaks may be longer.
Fee structure (overview)
For U.S. citizens, China visa fees have two parts: (1) the base consular fee and (2) a reciprocity fee set under U.S.–China reciprocity. The total depends on visa type and number of entries.
Representative fee examples (U.S. citizens)
| Entries | Example total (USD) |
|---|---|
| Single / Double | about $140 to $185 |
| Multiple (up to 6 months) | about $140 to $185 |
| Multiple (1 year or longer) | about $140 to $275 |
These figures are representative examples only and change without notice. Confirm the exact current fee with the official fee notice of the mission serving your district.
How to pay
The accepted payment method depends on the submission center — cash, money order, card, or mail-in check. The COVA or submission system will state the method for your location.
Where to verify the exact current fee
Fees are published by each Chinese mission. Check the official fee notice of the embassy or consulate for your district (see our Chinese missions in the U.S. overview).
Related pages
FAQ
A: Regular service is about 4 business days. Express is faster (around 2 to 3 business days where available) for an added fee. Mail-in adds shipping time.
A: The U.S. and China apply reciprocal fee schedules. U.S. citizens pay a reciprocity fee in addition to the base fee, making the total higher than for many other nationalities.
A: Representative totals range roughly $140 to $185 for single, double, or multi-entry up to 6 months, and up to about $275 for one-year-or-longer multiple entry. These are examples only — verify the current official fee.
A: Some locations offer express service for an added fee. Availability and surcharge vary by mission; check with the center serving your district.
A: Generally no. The visa fee is a processing fee and is not refunded if the application is refused or withdrawn.
Disclaimer: This page is for visa consulting and document preparation reference only. It is not legal advice, does not represent any embassy, consulate, or visa authority, and does not guarantee any visa outcome. Consulate addresses, office hours, and jurisdictions may change at any time; all information is subject to the latest published rules of the relevant authorities.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-22