Embassy Document Services

Expert Visa and Passport Service

Travel Visa and Passport Expediting Services

Requirements for obtaining a Tourist Visa for China

China Expedited Visa Service

Country: China

Visa Type: Tourist

The following are required to obtain a Tourist Visa for China

  • Visas are required to transit China. Persons transiting China on the way to and from Mongolia or North Korea or who plan to re-enter from the Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Regions must obtain visas allowing multiple entries. Special permits are required to visit Tibet as well as many remote areas not normally open to foreigners.


EDS SERVICE REQUEST APPLICATION FORM

  • Complete and return this form with all required information.

EDS Service Request Application Form

PASSPORT

  • Original signed passport valid for at least 18 months. China visas are valid for 12 months and your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the validity date of your visa.
  • Your passport must have at least 1 clear blank visa page available for the visa stamp(s).
  • EDS can obtain passport services for you on your behalf if needed. Please see our PASSPORT section.
  • If you were born in China/Taiwan, you must also include your Chinese passport or last foreign passport with a Chinese visa. This is in addition to your current valid passport.

APPLICATION FORM

  • Visa application form (Q1) completed and signed. All questions on the application form must be answered. If you choose not to fill out the form online, you may only use blue or black ink. Pencil or any color of ink (other than black or blue) is not acceptable. Failure to complete all required fields on the form will delay the processing of your visa.
China Visa Application

PHOTOGRAPHS

  • One recent 2" X 2" passport type photograph, in color, front view, and with a plain white background.

LETTER OF CONFIRMATION or INVITATION

None required.


COVER LETTER

None Required

OTHER DOCUMENTS

  • A letter from the inviting family member or friend is required if they are providing accommodations to the applicant.
  • Multiple Entry Applicants: If requesting a multiple entry visa to China, you must provide a letter stating the need for a multiple entry visa and the dates of future travel to the country.
  • All non-US citizens must include a photocopy of your green card or valid work U.S. VISA.  A double entry 6 mo. visa will be the maximum issued in this case.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • China visas are valid for 90 days from the date of issue by Chinese Consulate.
  • If you will be traveling to Tibet as part of journey to/from China please contact EDS for specific requirements. If on the visa application you indicate that you are Teacher/Student/Staff of Media/Clergy you must include a letter explaining that you will not be performing any job/student duties during your visit. See sample letter that must be submitted with application.
  • Maximum stay in China: 30 days
  • Visas cannot be changed or extended. If your travel plans change after the visa is issued you will need to re-apply for a new one.
  • The Chinese Embassy and its Consulates recently changed visa submission requirements. As a result, an additional fee of $20 will be temporarily assessed to cover the extra costs associated with strict jurisdiction enforcement imposed by China.
  • First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form ( Question #1.3) and submit his original Chinese passport or a photocopy of the information page of the passport.
  • An applicant whose former nationality was Chinese and has acquired a new US passport and has a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall also submit his old US passport or a photocopy of the Chinese visa.


PAYMENT

  • The consulate only accepts United States Postal Money Orders for the cost of the visas. If you prefer, EDS can obtain the money order for the consulate. EDS accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card, and American Express. Money orders and cash are also accepted.
  • A $10.00 surcharge is added for Non-U.S. Passport Holders.

Consular Rates

 Standard
5 days		Rush
24 hours		Emergency
Sameday
single entry 3 mo$130.00$150.00$160.00
double entry$130.00$150.00$160.00
multiple entry$130.00$150.00$160.00
 

EDS Service Rates

Standard
8+ Business Days		Rush
5-7 Business Days		Emergency
1-4 Business Days
All applications from:
DC,VA,MD,KY,OH,WV		$70.00$110.00$195.00
All applications from:
CT,NC,SK,DE,TN,ME,MA,
NH,NJ,NY,OH,PA,PR,RI,VT 		$90.00$130.00$215.00
All applications from:
AK,AR,CA,CO,HI,ID,
MT,NE,NM,NV,OR,UT,
WA,WY,IL,IN,IA,MI,
MN,MO,ND,SD,WI,AL,
AR,FL,GA,KS,LA,MS,OK,TX 		$90.00$130.00$215.00
 
A $10.00 surcharge is added for non-US Passport holders.
 
EDS accepts Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express Credit Cards


SENDING YOUR DOCUMENTS

When you have completed the visa application form, the EDS Service Request form, and this pre-shipping checklist, you may send all of your documents to the address below. We recommend using FedEx, UPS, DHL, or the USPS Express Mail for next-day delivery.

Embassy Document Services
Attn: Visa Processing
14908 Honey Locust Court
Woodbridge, VA 22193


All same day requests must be received by 8am. We recommend using FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Applications received after 8am will be submitted the next business day.