China Visa Guide for US Citizens: Types, Documents, Fees & Processing Time
Non-Chinese citizens who wish to enter the country for various reasons like health, education, tourism, conference, transit, etc. must obtain a Chinese visa. The applicant must submit the completed China visa application form with other relevant documents. It is also essential to pay the required processing fee. This article will shed light on everything you need to know about China Visa, including the application method and various categories of visas available.
Ready to apply? See our China visa service for US citizens for requirements by visa type, fees and expedited processing.
Step 1: Find out if you need a visa
Unless you qualify for any Chinese visa-free policies, you will need to apply for a visa.
Step 2: Find out the type of visa that applies to you
There are various categories of China Visa. Your choice should be the one that is suitable for your situation. For instance, people on a business visit need an M visa.
Step 3: Prepare all essential documents
Detail of this in a subsequent section.
Step 4: Submit your China visa application
Send your application to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate that serves your state, or let Visa Express prepare and submit it for you.
Step 5: Make payment and collect the visa
The China visa fee varies, depending on the applicant’s nationality and the number of entries. The Chinese embassy in your country will shed more light on this.
There are two major categories of China Visa: ordinary visas and diplomatic visas. There are many types under the ordinary visa category, including the L visa, F visa, M visa, Z visa, X1 visa, X2 visa, C visa, J1 visa, and J2 visa. Others include the G visa, D visa, Q1 visa, Q2 Visa, S1 Visa, S2 Visa, and R visa.
Tourist Visa (L Visa)
Foreigners who wish to enter China for tourism purposes will need an L visa, which usually allows stays of up to 60 days per entry for US citizens. The visa can also be on a multiple entry, double-entry, or single entry basis. Canada and U.S. citizens may qualify for a multiple entry tourist visa valid for ten years.
Non Commercial Visit Visa (F Visa)
People visiting China for various purposes like research, lectures, cultural interest, and other non-commercial purposes qualify for this visa. The F visa was once known as the Chinese Business visa and accommodated lots of activities. This was later changed to an M visa. The visa duration is between 30 and 90 days, with single and double-entry options available.
Business Visa (M Visa)
Foreigners entering Chinese soil for all forms of business activities and trade need to get the M visa. To qualify for this visa, the applicant must not be employed by a Chinese firm and has to be an individual who spends less than a year on business visits.
Work Visa (Z Visa )
The Z visa is also known as a Work visa. Foreigners interested in taking up job offers in China, alongside their family members, qualify for this visa. It is a common visa type since foreigners can enter China with their family members. Non-citizens employed by any Chinese firm can apply for a Work visa. The Z visa is issued before you travel. Within 30 days of arriving in China, you must apply for a residence permit. X Visa (Student Visa)
Students who wish to study or have their field of research work in China will go for an X visa. The visa does not come with a work permit. However, upon certification from the school and other authorities, students qualify for an internship.
X1 Visa – Students requiring 180 days study period or more.
X2 Visa – Students requiring 180 days study period or less.
Crew Member Visa (C Visa)
Crew members, alongside their family, on land transport assignment, international aviation, etc., qualify for a C visa.
Journalist Visa (J Visa)
International journalists that will like to temporarily or permanently work in China can apply for a J Visa.
J1- Visa: This is for an international journalist working in China for a minimum of one year.
J2 Visa: This is for foreign journalists on a temporal mission on Chinese soil for up to 30 days.
Residence Visa (D Visa)
Foreigners who wish to permanently reside in China need to apply for this visa. It is also called the Chinese green card.
Visa for Personal Visit (Q Visa)
Foreigners with family members who are Chinese citizens can apply for the Q visa to visit their relatives. Also, foreigners with Chinese Spouse who wish to visit for whatever reason can apply.
Q1 Visa: Family members and relatives of Chinese nationals that want to be in China for over 180 days will apply for this visa. It comes with a single entry, and the holder needs to make an application for a residency permit within 30 days of getting to China.
Q2 Visa: Family members and relatives of Chinese citizens on a temporary visit to China need to apply for the Q2 Visa. It can be a multiple entry visa and comes with 180 days of stay per visit. U.S. and Canadian citizens can get up to 10 years.
Relatives of Foreigners (S Visa)
Relatives and family members of foreigners studying or working in China can apply for the S Visa.
S1 Visa: This guarantees a stay above 180 days. It is a single entry visa, and applicants must file for their residence permit on entry.
S2 Visa: This applies to a stay duration of less than 180 days. It can be a multiple entry visa with an entry stay of up to 180 days per visit. Canadian and U.S. citizens can get up to 10 years.
Highly Qualified Persons (R Visa)
Highly qualified people with skills in high demand can apply for the R Visa. The eligible applicant can get multiple entry R visas for five or as many as ten years. Relatives (spouse and kids) of such visa holders can enter China on the R Visa.
Diplomatic and Service Visa
International government officials, U.N. members, and staff on diplomatic missions entering China for accreditation or official mission will apply for this visa.
- Passport: Original passports with at least six months validity and a blank visa page
- Duplicate of the Passport: A copy of the photo and photocopy of the data page
- Visa Application Form: Complete the application form online, then print and sign it.
- Passport Photograph: A recent passport photograph with a white background
- Itinerary or Invitation letter
- Itinerary: Evidence of connecting flight and hotel reservation
- Invitation: A copy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit (for foreign nationals) or copy of the inviter’s Chinese ID (for citizens). The following information should be present in the invitation:
a. Applicant’s information such as name, gender, passport number, and birth date
b. Information on a planned trip such as date of arrival and period of departure, destinations, and arrangement for expenses
c. Inviter’s information, including name, address, signature, and contact number d. Previous Chinese Visa: Applicants applying for a Chinese visa with a new passport will have to submit an original and duplicate copy of the last Chinese passport’s data page
- The number of entries
- The country from where you are applying
- Choice of express service
For US citizens, the consulate fee is $140 for regular processing. Express and rush processing cost more ($160 and $195 in our fee tables). The payment is made at the point of visa collection, while some locations will require payment at the point of application. In many countries, the fee is based on the number of entries permitted in your visa. In this case, the more entries you have, the more expensive the visa. For countries such as Canada, U.S, and the U.K., there is a fixed fee regardless of the number of entries.
How long your China visa takes depends on the processing option you choose. With Visa Express, US applicants can choose:
Expedited China Visa Processing Times
- 6–8 business days – our fastest expedited service
- 10–12 business days
- 15 business days
- 20 business days – lowest cost
Processing can take longer if the consulate asks for more information, extra documents or an interview. See the China visa fee tables for the cost of each option.