If you are traveling to China, you will likely need a Chinese Visa. The information below will explain a bit more about Chinese visas and how to get them. If you are ready to get a China visa now, please visit our
China Visa Order Form.
Below is a video that describes information about Chinese travel visas.
What Is a China Visa?
A visa is essentially a pre-approval from a foreign government to enter their country.
An Example Chinese Visa Document in a U.S. Passport
While U.S. citizens can travel to most countries without any type of documentation, many countries like China,
India,
Brazil,
and
Russia
do require a visa in advance.
After submitting the required paperwork to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC or one of the Chinese consulates in New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles or San Francisco,
Embassy of the Republic of China, Washington, DC
the approved visa is inserted into your passport. If your trip is coming up soon, please see our
urgent Chinese visa information
When checking in for an international flight to China, the airline will verify that you have the appropriate visa in your passport.
When you arrive in Beijing, Shanghai or any other Chinese airport, immigration will review your
passport and visa.
Passport and Entry Control in Beijing, China
If your documents are not valid, you will be turned away and made to take the next flight out of China. If your documents meet the requirements, you will be allowed entry into China. Once in China, you are free to travel wherever you like, however any time you leave mainland China, your documents will need to be re-verified upon your return.
How Long Are Chinese Visas Good For?
Chinese visas can vary in length from 30 days up to 10 years. Generally speaking, Chinese visas issued to U.S. citizens are valid for 10 years, however they may choose to approve a shorter duration visa at their discretion. Non-U.S. citizens typically receive visas valid from three months to one year. If you need this visa quickly, please review the
rush Chinese visa information.
What Is Chinese Visa Validity?
Visa validity can cover two aspects of a visa how long the visa is good for and how long the traveler can stay in the country known as "length of stay". As noted above, Chinese visas for U.S. citizens are generally valid for 10 years (with some exceptions) and the length of stay is usually 60 days per entry. This means that a U.S. citizen who is issued a 10 year
Chinese Tourist Visa
or
Chinese Business Visa
may enter China for up to 60 days at a time, as many times as they like over a 10 year period. There are limits to the number of days a non-Chinese citizen can spend in China, which is generally limited to 180 calendar days per year.
How Does Our China Visa Service Work?
ItsEasy is the leader in Chinese visa application services for international travelers based in the US.
We assist travelers with US passports as well as non-US passport legally residing in the US who need to obtain visas for travel to China.
The most common requests we have are for
Chinese tourist visas and
Chinese business visas
for travelers going to China in the near future.
ItsEasy is registered to submit China visa applications for customers who choose not to apply in person
(the Chinese Embassy and consulate offices will not accept China visa applications by mail, so applicants must either appear in person or use an approved service).
Visa Issuing Office in Embassy of China, Washington, D.C.
Our website provides you with clear and easy to follow instructions for completing the application and collecting the required documentation,
not to mention that we are here to support you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year!
We do encourage you to review the requirements provided on our site which will explain the process and each item or document that is required.
We provide a helpful
China Visa Application Guide
which will explain how to fill out the application correctly. In recent years, the
Chinese Embassy
has become more strict about how the application is filled out including that it must be typed
(as opposed to handwritten which they no longer accept) and no field can be left blank (blank fields must now be answered as "N/A").
The Chinese Embassy will also not accept signatures in anything other than black or blue ink.
Once we receive your documents, our Chinese visa specialists will review everything provided to ensure your application materials will process quickly and without incident.
If there are any issues with your visa application to China, we will reach out to you right away to resolve the issue.
Members of the ItsEasy Chinese Visa Specialist Team
Traveling to China can be a momentous project, obtaining your China visa doesn't have to be! You can count on ItsEasy to obtain your Chinese visa!
ItsEasy maintains the visa requirements to all countries, including China. Use
the widget above to see your particular requirements for visiting China based upon
your citizenship and state of residence in the USA.
Sample Requirements For China
Below is a sample set of requirements for visiting China using a Tourist Visa Visa. These requirements
are only a SAMPLE. To get the EXACT requirements for you to visit China, please go to our TripBuilder page
and enter in your specific information that is your exact situation.
NOTE: The Consulate of China in New York will now only be accepting NOTARIZED COPIES of proof of US status for ALL non-US citizens. That means applicants must submit a notarized copy of their Green Card, I-94, or I-20 with their applications.
Special Information About China Embassy/Consulate
The Republic of China is no longer replacing valid 10-year visas. Anyone with a current, valid 10-year visa to China cannot apply for a new visa until 90 days prior to the visa's expiration.
China Videos
Important Issues with China Tourist Visa
In this video we go over the common mistakes with China Tourist Visas
1.1 Passport
Applicant must submit their current, signed passport. Visas are stamped into a passport, therefore the original passport is required.
1.2 Photo Requirement
Applicant must submit two (2) identical, color, passport style photographs. The photos must be recent and generally should not be the same used for the passport itself.
Please note the following photo requirements as provided by the Chinese Embassy:
The photo must meet the following criteria:
• Photo must have a plain white background
• Photo must be printed on photo paper
• Photo should not show the applicant wearing glasses
• Photo should not show the applicant wearing jewelry
• The applicant must have a neutral [removed]not smiling, posing, etc.)
1.3 Proof of Travel
Each applicant, including minors, must submit a confirmed flight itinerary in their name showing travel originating from and returning to the US, that includes entry and exit from mainland China. If an infant is traveling without their own seat, the itinerary must reflect that they will be traveling as a "lap baby", though the consulate may not require that they be specifically named on the itinerary in such instances.
Note, if traveling via private charter the charter's manifest should suffice.
1.4 Proof of Accommodations
All tourist visa applicants must submit proof of stay in China.
If applicant is staying in a hotel, they must submit a copy of a confirmed hotel reservation. The applicant's name MUST appear on hotel confirmations (even children). If an applicant's name is not listed on the hotel confirmation, they should contact their hotel or travel agent and have their name added and a new confirmation sent.
If an applicant is part of a tour, an invitation letter for a tourist group issued by a duly authorized tourism unit based in mainland China may be submitted. The invitation letter must bear the companies seal or stamp. Invitation letters from travel agencies not based in mainland China will NOT be accepted by the consulate.
If an applicant is staying with friends and/or family who are Chinese citizens, they must provide an invitation letter issued by the individual inviter, as well as a copy of the front and back of their Chinese ID Card. If an applicant is staying with friends/family who are not Chinese citizens, they must provide a scan the inviter's passport information page as well as their China residency permit. Invitation letter must include the following items:
(A) Personal information of applicant: name, gender, date of birth, etc.
(B) Information concerning applicant's visit: purpose of visit, date of arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the inviter, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.
(C) Information of inviter: name of the unit or individual, phone number, address, and if applicable, seal and signature of the legal representative.
Invitation letter can be submitted as a photocopy. However, original invitation and/or personal interview may be requested at visa officer's discretion.
1.5 Proof of Residency
Applicant must submit a legible, color copy of the front AND back of their driver's license or state issued ID. At this time, no other Proof of Residency will be accepted.
1.6 Travel to Turkey or Pakistan
If applicant has indicated on their application that they have visited, or has an entry or exit stamp from Turkey or Pakistan, in order to avoid potential delays applicant must provide a personal letter stating the exact dates, and purpose of travel to either or both of those countries.
In addition, they must complete and provide the below affidavit.
1.7 Previous Chinese Visa Applicants
For applicants who have previously held Chinese visas, the Embassy and consulate offices require submission of previous visas.
If the previous visa is in the current passport there is no action required.
If the visa was in an old passport, include the old passport. If applicant does not have the old passport, applicant must write a letter addressed to the Chinese Embassy explaining why they cannot provide the old visa(s) (such as previous passport lost, stolen, damaged, etc). Applicant must sign and date the letter. Even with this letter, application processing may experience delays.
1.8 Applicants Under 18yrs
Although applicant may be submitting documents along with other family members, when submitted to an embassy or consulate, applications are treated individually. If applicant is under 18 years old, please view the following link.
1.9 Former Chinese Nationals
If applicant is former Chinese or Taiwanese citizen, applicant must submit previous Chinese passport or proof of previously issued Chinese visa.
If applicant previously held Hong Kong citizenship, applicant must provide an original previous Chinese visa OR must report in person to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate office nearest them and provide documents which prove they have renounced their citizenship or request a travel document.
1.10 Travel History Form
Applicants must complete the China Travel History Form.
1.11 Where You Stay Form
Applicant must complete the Where You Stay form.
1.12 Visa Application
Applicant must complete the online visa application.
1.13 Job Description Form
Applicant must submit one fully completed job description form. Similar to the above, the document is a fill-able PDF and must be completed on a computer, printed and included with your application documents provided to ItsEasy. Failure to include this document will likely result in processing delays.
1.14 Special Notice
For US citizens, China will issue a visa valid for multiple entries up to 10 years by default if the applicants passport is valid for more than 1 year. In some cases, and/or if the applicants passport is valid for less than 1 year, the visa may be valid for a limited number of entries (single or double) and for a shorter period (three months, six months or one year). As with all visas, the actual visa issued is at the discretion of the Embassy/consulate.
1.15 Work in Media
The consulate of China in New York requires that any applicant who works in the media or for a media company (regardless of your actual job within the organization) to appear in person to submit their application for a visa. As such we cannot assist any applicants who work in the media industry in any capacity.
Concierge Service is our premium white-glove service, providing a dedicated Concierge Team to
manage the entire application process including document preparation and review,
optional 1-1 phone appointments with a Concierge Specialist, upgraded shipping,
priority submission, and more - all beginning within 4 business hours of your request.
It's a complicated world out there. Let us simplify it for you. (Additional premium fees apply)
If you have an EMERGENCY situation, you may utilize our EMERGENCY CONCIERGE SERVICE
which puts you to the front of the line instantly! EMERGENCY CONCIERGE is our "drop everything"
service for when you need that immediate team attention.
Independent Reviews
As Seen On...
Service Pricing
Visas
Non-Rush Visas
$99.00
Rush Visas
$149.00
Urgent Visas
$229.00
*Processing times are quoted in business days. Urgent services are processed as fast as Embassy/consulate will process, other services are slower. Contact us for details.
Passports
1 Day Passport
$940.00
3 Day Passport
$549.00
4-6 Day Passport
$495.00
7-9 Day Passport
$399.00
3-5 Weeks Passport
$58.95
4-6 Weeks Passport
$49.95
*Processing times are quoted in business days.
Due to submission times, the day received may not count as a processing day.
1-3 Day passport service requires urgent travel. Please contact us for details.
ItsEasy Passport Renewal & Photo App
Save time and money - download the ItsEasy Passport Renewal & Photo App
for your iPhones/iPad or Android now! Once you place your order, simply take your own picture
with your iphone and upload to our server. We'll check it, print it and
match it with your documents - for free!
Going the extra mile to make it Easy!
Why Choose ItsEasy?
Founded in 1976, ItsEasy Passport & Visa Services is a US Government
registered passport and visa expediting company which has processed over
2 million passport and visa applications.
We specialize in securing expedited US passports and business and
tourist visas for US citizens or non-US citizens legally residing in the
US. For emergency passport or visa services, please contact our office
24 hours a day at 1-866-ITS-EASY.
Document Pre-Check Service
During the order process you may be offered Document
Pre-Check service. While not required, this option provides you the
ability to scan and securely upload your application and supporting
documents through ItsEasy's secure portal for review prior to
submitting. Having documents reviewed in advance can greatly reduce
delays and additional shipping charges. Serviced within 4 business
hours. Additional fee per traveler of $45 for first service, $25 for
each additional service.