CHANGES TO CHINESE VISA REQUIREMENTS – as of Wednesday, April 23, 2008. New changes have been highlighted in red.

Please check this page often for any new developments. If you require assistance, please feel free to contact your nearest Travisa office prior to sending in your documents. We are here to help you.

In an effort to keep you informed of all new developments on the processing of visa issuance, Travisa would like to notify you of recent changes in visa requirements for individuals traveling to China for business and tourist purposes. Effective immediately and until further notice, all applicants applying for a Tourist and/or Business visa must provide a hotel confirmation and confirmed flight itinerary on official travel agency letterhead.

Please note some exceptions to these requirements for the following jurisdictions:

Washington, DC

• All Business and Tourist applicants must provide a hotel confirmation and copy of flight itinerary on official travel agency letterhead.
• Non-US citizens must provide original I-94 and copy of U.S. Permanent Resident card or U.S. long term visa that entitles the applicant to work/reside in the US for an extended period of time.
• Multiple entry visas are issued only when the applicant submits a letter explaining the need for a multiple entry visa. The letter must also indicate dates of future travel.
• The Washington, DC consulate continues to offer Same Day, 24 Hour, and 5 Days processing.
• The embassy of Washington, DC is enforcing jurisdiction for Non-US citizens.

New York

• All Business and Tourist applicants must provide a hotel confirmation and copy of flight itinerary on official travel agency letterhead.
• Multiple entry visas are issued on an individual basis.  Applicants must explain the need for a multiple entry visa and provide documentation to support the request (future travel plans, itineraries, scheduled meetings, etc.)
• Non-US citizens must provide the following documents to obtain a visa:
  1. Hotel reservation in Mainland China (including the applicant’s name, date, hotel name, address, & phone number)
  2. Round trip airline ticket to and from Mainland China (original and copy)
  3. Certificate of Financial Guarantee (such as latest banking certificate or statement, letter of sponsorship, etc.)
  4. Confirmation letter from your employer in the United States (The letter must specify the applicant’s name & position, the employer’s name & position, the company’s name, address & phone number, also purpose, time duration and person or company to visit, and guarantee for expenses in China, etc.)
  5. Proof of cooperation between your company and Chinese counterpart (such as agreement of intention, contract of deal, etc.)
  6. Visa notice from an authorized department of China (by provincial or municipal foreign affairs office or economic & trade office)
  7. Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card (valid for more than six months, both original and copy)
• The New York consulate continues to offer Same Day, 24 Hour, and 5 Days processing.

Chicago

• All Business and Tourist applicants must provide a hotel confirmation and copy of flight itinerary on official travel agency letterhead.
• The consulate in Chicago is not issuing multiple entry visas. Those interested need to submit an official government invitation (a copy is acceptable) outlining the need for a multiple entry visa and providing future dates of travel. For Business applicants, the business letter must also provide this information.
• Single entry visas are being issued for 3 months instead of 6 months.
• Non-US passports holders are being issued a 2 months, single entry visa.
• The Chicago consulate is processing visas in 5 Days. No Same Day or 48 Hour service is being offered.

San Francisco

• All Business and Tourist applicants must provide a hotel confirmation and copy of flight itinerary (including transit within China) on official travel agency letterhead.
• Business visa applicants need to submit an original letter of invitation approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (must have the Chinese Municipal Seal).
• Multiple entry and/or Double entry visas are issued only when a confirmed itinerary for each trip is submitted and a letter stating the need for a multiple or double entry visa. The letter must also state future dates of travel.
• Non-US citizens will need previous China visa and status in the US. Non-US citizens will only be issued 30 day single entry.
• The San Francisco consulate is enforcing jurisdiction.
• The San Francisco consulate continues to offer Same Day, 24 Hour, and 5 Days processing.

Los Angeles

• Non-US citizens requesting Business or Tourist visas must provide a hotel confirmation and copy of flight itinerary on official travel agency letterhead.
• The Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles will no longer issue Business visas unless the applicant submits an official invitation from the Chinese Government.
• The Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles will no longer issue multiple entry visas to Non-US citizens. All visas will be issued for single or double entry.
• The Los Angeles consulate continues to offer Same Day, 24 Hour, and 5 Days processing.

Houston

• All Business and Tourist applicants must provide a hotel confirmation and copy of airline tickets.
• Business visa applicants need to submit an original letter of invitation approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (must have the Chinese Municipal Seal.)
• The Chinese Consulate in Houston will no longer issue Business visas unless the applicant submits an official invitation (visa notification form) from the Chinese Government.
• The Chinese Consulate in Houston will only issue single entry / 2 month visa / 30 day stay to Non-US citizens with green card, or H1B, L1, Student visas only.
• All passports must have at least 6 months of validity left when applying for a visa.
• The Houston consulate is enforcing jurisdiction.
• The Houston consulate continues to offer Same Day, 24 Hour, and 5 Days processing.