I. Basic Requirements

The applicant should ask his/her relatives in China to apply for residence approval certificate to the local public security bureau. Once approved, please apply to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, with the approval document issued by the public security bureau, and:
- Current passport with at least 6 months of validity and at least one blank visa page.
- One completed and signed Visa Application Form (BG-01) with one additional passport photo (black & white or colorful).

Please fill in the application form carefully, completely, and clearly. If not, it may lead to delay in process, or even decline of application.


II. Methods of Application, Process Time, & Visa Fee

Applicants are required to appear in the visa office to apply. If an applicant cannot come personally, he/she may entrust a relative, friend, or travel/visa agent to come and submit the application on his/her behalf. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates do not accept visa applications by mail.

No appointment is necessary for visa applications.

Regularly it takes 4 business days to process.

The regular fee for Z visa is $100.00 per person for the US citizens, and $30.00 for citizens from other countries.

The applicant may request expedited process with the approval of consular officers. Additional $20.00 per visa for 2- or 3-business-day urgent process will be charged.

Please pay in cash, money order, or bank check. The payment should be made payable to "Chinese Consulate". If your application goes to the Chinese Embassy, please pay "Chinese Embassy". Personal checks are not acceptable.


III. The D visa is for single entry and valid for 3 months, with the duration of stay being "000 days after entry". The holder of D visa should enter China with 3 months of the issue date, and go through procedures for obtaining residence permit in the local public security bureau within 30 days of entry.


Notes

1. Previous Chinese citizens who have obtained foreign citizenship should present their original Chinese passport when applying for a Chinese visa for the first time. In this case, a child should also provide the original and photocopy of passports of both parents.

2. The validity, duration of stay, and number of entries of the Chinese visa are decided at the discretion of consular officers according to related Chinese laws and regulations. The consular officers have the authority to refuse any applications inconsistent with Chinese laws and regulations, and are entitled to change and /or revoke any issued visas, without providing any explanation.


All information listed above is subject to change, without notice, at the discretion and interpretation of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General.