If it does not, you MUST apply for a new passport and have it in hand before you are able to apply for your travel visa.**
China Visa Application Processing Time
**You cannot start your visa application until within 90 days of your travel dates. Applications submitted outside of this period will not be accepted by the consulate/embassy.**
Once you have sent in your complete visa application packet to the China consulate, it will generally take 5-7 business days for a regular application to be approved (if all the documents meet the requirements). If sending via courier service, applicants should expect an additional 2-4 days on either side for shipping time, giving a maximum timeline of about 2 weeks from application to receipt of your travel visa. Please note that this timeline may be longer depending on extenuating circumstances such as missing paperwork. Best to allow 3-4 weeks to be safe.
- If time is tight, Expedited (2-3 business days + shipping) or Rush (1 business day +shipping) application options are available for an additional cost.
Tourists planning to visit China are required to possess a China tourist visa (also know as an “L visa”) to enter the People’s Republic of China. Visas are issued only by a Chinese Consulate or Embassy. Travelers should start preparing their visa application packet 45-60 days prior to their departure date.Â
The visa application process can get a little complicated when it comes to adoptees traveling back to their birth countries. Don’t worry! We’ll walk you through every step of the process!
Refer to our Visa Application Guide for a complete guide to the visa application process.
View Visa Application Guide →
Step 1: Find a Courier Service to work with (unless you live near a Consulate). Courier Service Fees vary, generally ranging between $100 – $200 per visa. For U.S. travelers, here is a short List of Known China Visa Courier Services our travelers have used in the past.
- Your courier will let you know everything you will need to include in your visa application packet.
- Your courier will help verify that all of the information in your COVA (China Online Visa Application) is correct and acceptable before moving forward. They are the experts and will help you successfully obtain your visa.
- Your courier will schedule an appointment with the Consulate as soon as everything is confirmed.
Step 2: Complete your COVA (China Online Visa Application Form).
- Choose your continent
- Scroll to find your correct Consulate state (Here is a Consular district map to help guide which consulate to use in the U.S.)
Step 3: Print out and sign your COVA. Collect the rest of your visa application packet required documents (see Visa Application Guide).
Step 4: Pack it all up and mail to your courier by tracked and certified mail.
Let us know as soon as you’ve sent out your visa application packet to your courier.
Travelers can make an appointment at their nearest China Embassy/Consulate to present their visa application packet in person or opt to use a courier service to help apply for them.Â
Courier Service Fees vary between couriers, generally ranging from $100 – $200 per visa. For U.S. travelers, here is a short List of Known China Visa Courier Services our travelers have used in the past.
China Consular Visa Fee
Regular Processing Time (5-7 business days)
- U.S. Citizens: $140 USD
- Canada Citizens: $200-$300 CAD
- UK Citizens: £150-£335
China Consulates
U.S. China Embassy/Consulates:
Here is a Consular district map to help guide which consulate to use in the U.S.
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- New York City
- Washington, D.C.
Canada China Embassy/Consulates:
- Calgary
- Montreal
- Ottawa
- Toronto
- Vancouver
UK China Embassy/Consulates:
- Belfast
- Edinburgh
- London
- Manchester
Tour Resources
What to Pack
The right outfits take time
Visa Information
Everything you need to know about that pesky little piece of paper
Travel Tips
It's never too early to start becoming a pro
