China Visa

Passport Requirements:

Original, signed passport plus one photocopy of the information page. The passport must be valid for 6 months beyond stay in China, with at least two blank passport pages available for Chinese visa and entry stamps. Amendment pages in the back of the passport are not suitable for China visas.

China Visa Application Form:

One signed visa application form. Every question on the application must be answered, please answer NONE if the question does not apply to you. Applications must be typed in block capital letters; handwritten changes are not accepted. The signature on the application form must match the signature on the applicant's passport.

The Consulate of China requires a visa application be completed according to strict guidelines. Make sure your documentation is accurately prepared by making use of Document Preparation Service. After placing your order, you will receive an Application Kit which includes an optional form where you can provide simple answers. If you choose this service a Specialist will work with you to ensure the required documents are prepared according to government and consular requirements. Once your application form is complete, we will return it to you via a secure and encrypted email for your signature, keeping your personal information safe.

Washington, DC: The visa application must be single-sided.

Photo Requirements:

One color photo that meets the following strict criteria: taken within the last six months, against an all white background, printed on high-quality photo paper, 48 mm tall x 33 mm wide exactly, provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression, eyes open, ears visible, no background light or shadow over your face, neither eyeglasses nor headwear except for religious purposes, you should not wear any garment identical to the photo background, your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples

Washington, DC:

You must provide one color, passport-type photograph that meets the following criteria:

• Be taken within the last six months, against an all white background, and printed on high-quality photo paper
• Be 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide exactly. Note many passport photo vendors provide standard photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches
• Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression, eyes open, ears visible
• No background light or shadow over your face
• You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes
• You should not wear any garment identical to the photo background
• Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples

OR - you can upload a photo when you place your order, instead of providing physical passport photos.

Official Invitation:

- For short term study in China, the original and one photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or educational institution in China.
- For long term study in China, the original and one copy of an approved Foreign Student Application Form (JW201 or JW202) issued by the Chinese unit, and an enrollment letter from the Chinese school. The JW202 must be signed by the student on the bottom right of the form in blue ink.

Proof of State Residency:

Washington, DC:

You must provide a proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front and back of your driver's license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:

• Display your name as it appears on your passport
• Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application

Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.

Applicants Under the Age of 18:

For applicant's that are minors:
Include a copy of minor's Birth Certificate and a copy of both parent's passport information page.

Washington, DC: All minors under the age of 18 traveling to China must:

• Provide a copy of their birth certificate
• Provide a copy of both parents' passports or drivers’ licenses
• Provide a copy of the parents' proof of U.S. residency status (if not U.S. citizens)
• Provide a notarized letter of consent from both parents (if the parents are not accompanying the minor on the trip), that states the child has permission to travel. To access a sample consent letter, follow the link provided in the visa application kit or type the address into your browser
• On page 4 (part 4) of the application, both parents must sign Part 4 and print the name of the minor
• On page 4 (part 5) of the application, one parent’s information must be filled in and that parent must sign part 5

Medical Requirements:

Washington, DC: Applications for a stay in China of 6 months or more must include a Physical Examination Certificate for Foreign Citizens.

Previous Visa:

Washington, DC: If you have been granted a China visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued China visa.

Country of Origin:

Applicants of Chinese origin, (born in China), must include a copy of a previous Chinese visa or their last original Chinese passport. Make sure the Chinese Name field is completed on the Chinese visa application form in Chinese characters.

Washington, DC: If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:

• You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
• You must present copies of any previously issued China visas in your current or expired passport, as well as the expired passport
• If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original passport and birth certificate showing your name in Chinese characters
• If you are a minor who was adopted from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau you must also include a copy of your adoption papers (do not include the original papers)
• If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization papers and U.S. birth certificate.

Special Instructions:

Travel to Hong Kong or Macau: Visiting Hong Kong or Macau is considered leaving China. The applicant must obtain a multiple entry visa if leaving Mainland China to visit Hong Kong or Macau with the intention to re-enter the mainland before finally departing from China.

Media Professionals: or employees of a media company, even if the applicant is not traveling for business purposes, the applicant must submit a letter from the applicant's employer on company letterhead indicating that you are NOT traveling onn company business and will NOT be performing any media related work.

In Person Appearance:

Washington, DC: Citizens of the United States holding U.S. passports that were born in Afghanistan, Iran or Nigeria will need to make a personal appearance at the embassy in order to obtain a visa. Travisa will not be able to assist you with your visa request.

This May Pertain to You:

San Francisco: The processing time for Turkish passport holders or persons of Turkish origin can be extensive and is determined entirely at the Consulate of China's discretion. Please allow ample processing time to secure the visa.

This is Travisa's service order form, where you will provide your contact and shipping information, choose the visa processing needed and make your payment. You must print the completed form and send it to Travisa with all other supporting documents.

Click here for China Consular Fees and Visa Processing Times

Register your trip with the US Embassy:

The US State Department strongly encourages American citizens planning international travel to register with the US Embassy(s) in the countries they plan to visit. Registration notifies the US Embassy in each country of your travel plans and enrolls you in the State Department travel advisory and warnings program. Feel more secure about your international travels by having Travisa register your trip with the US Department of State; simply complete the form on your visa application kit after placing your order.

Non-refundable tickets or reservations should not be purchased until all visas and passports are secured and in your possession.