VISA FOR THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

1. ACTUAL PASSPORT

   You must send your actual passport. The visa will be stamped on a page in your passport. Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity left beyond your intended stay in China, and must have at least TWO blank visa pages side by side. Amendment pages (pages 22, 23 and 24) do not count.

   Click here for details on adding visa pages to existing passport, passport renewal, and more.

2. VISA APPLICATION FORM AND VISA APPLICATION ORDER FORM

   Download Visa Application Form and Visa Processing Order Form. One Visa Application Form per applicant. Up to three applicants can be combined on one Visa Processing Order Form.

   Please not that Visa Application Form for China can be completed online only if your Adobe Acrobat software is installed with Chinese simplified fonts and Japanese fonts. Applications filled out by hand are also acceptable.

   Applicants of Chinese descent, including also Taiwan and Hong Kong, must write their Chinese name on #1.3 of the visa application form.

3. PHOTOGRAPH

   Each applicant should submit one 2" x 2" color photograph. Photo must be with a plain white background. Photocopy of picture from passport will not be accepted.

4. PROOF OF U.S. STATUS (For non-U.S. citizen only)

   Consulate only accepts applications from those who hold either a U.S. permanent resident card or a long term U.S. visa. Please note that applications from B1/B2 visa or TN visa holders will not be accepted.

   Non-U.S. citizen should submit proof of U.S. status (e.g. copy of U.S. permanent resident card or copy of U.S. visa).

5. BUSINESS LETTER OR LETTER OF INVITATION (For Business only)

   Applicants applying for a business visa should submit a business letter from the U.S. based company, or a letter of invitation from the host company in China, explaining the purpose of the visit.

6. CONSULATE FEE

   Consulate fees for U.S citizen are as follows:
   

   $130.00 - 4 business day processing
   $150.00 - 24 hour processing
   $160.00 - Same day processing*

   * Applications for same day processing must be received at our office by 8:00 am. We recommend using FedEx First Overnight or UPS Early AM Delivery, with signature released. Shipping via other delivery methods usually will not be received on time.

   Visas for China issued to U.S. citizen are usually valid for one year from date of issue, multiple entry for stays not to exceed 60 days per entry.

   Consulate fees for Non U.S citizen are as follows:
   $30.00 (single entry valid for 3 months) - 4 business day processing
   $45.00 (double entry valid for 6 months) - 4 business day processing
   $50.00 (single entry valid for 3 months) - 24 hour processing
   $65.00 (double entry valid for 6 months) - 24 hour processing
   $60.00 (single entry valid for 3 months) - Same day processing*
   $75.00 (double entry valid for 6 months) - Same day processing*

   Processing time commences from the day the application submitted to the consulate. Saturdays, Sundays and Consulate scheduled holidays do not count as processing day.

7. SERVICE FEE

   $29.00 - 4 business day processing
   $75.00 - 24 hour processing
   $100.00 - Same day processing*

8. RETURN FEDEX EXPRESS

   $23.00 per address (up to 3 passports)
   $28.00 per address (4 to 6 passports)
   $35.00 per address (Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico or Saturday Delivery)

NOTE:

• Applicant who was born in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan applying for his/her first Chinese visa with his/her foreign passport must submit a photocopy of the vital page(s) from his/her Chinese, Hong Kong or Taiwan passport.

• When applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, child of Chinese descent born in foreign country must submit a copy of his/her birth certificate, and copy of one of his/her parents' passport or permanent resident card.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 2009

DATE	HOLIDAY	DAY OF WEEK
Jan 1	New Year's Day	Thursday
Jan 26 & 27	Spring Festival	Monday & Tuesday
May 25	Memorial Day	Monday
Jul 3	Independence Day	Friday
Sep 7	Labor Day	Monday
Oct 1, 2 & 5	Chinese National Day	Thursday, Friday & Monday
Nov 26 & 27	Thanksgiving	Thursday & Friday
Dec 25	Christmas	Friday

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader