Updated: 09/29/2007   

Note: If you are a correspondent, journalist, reporter, you will need to apply for a J-1/J-2 visa, not an F visa.

What to submit

1. Your actual passport, with at least six (6) months of remianing validity and at least one blank visa page (pages 22-24 are not visa pages).
2. One completed Visa Application Form (Q1) with one passport photo (color, about 2x2).
3. Your itinerary (flight and hotel) (one copy per applicant, detailed guide)
4. Visa notification letter from China (detailed guide)
5. A copy of the order form of our agency, filled out online.
6. If you were born in China (mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan), and your current foreign passport does not have an old Chinese visa, please submit original AND copy of your Chinese passport (*), or your last foreign passport with a Chinese visa (**). Also supply your name in Chinese characters.

How to apply

• please follow the "step by step procedures" at the bottom of the main index page.

Visa processing time and fees

The regular processing time is 4 working days and costs $100 (consular fee). Our service fee is $17.45. Additional fees are required for express (2-3 working days) or rush (1 working day) processing. For details on fees please see table here.

Multiple Entries for 24 months (F) Visa needs 5 working days, and no express service is available.

Multiple entry business visa

Visiting Hong Kong or Macau on your trip? You may need multiple entry visa (details).

[Note: no additional document needed for US citizens from 09/10/2006 for 1-year multiple visa] To apply for a Multiple Entry "F" Visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, one of the following requirements shall be met: (multiple entry visa to non-US citizens suspended 2008/04/02)

1. submit an invitation issued by the authorized Chinese institution; or
2. submit documents which certify you have made an investment in China or have established a collaboration with a Chinese company, e.g. business license, contracts, a letter of appointment, etc.; or
3. submit a letter from the host company in China, or from your company in the U. S. , which explains the need to visit China frequently for commercial business; or,
4. you have visited China at least twice with the "F" visa within the past 12 months , or have been issued a multi-entry "F" visa, and shall submit a copy of the visa(s) if it's not in the passport submitted.

Visa validity and duration of stay

Usually, the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry "F" visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. If you intend to apply for double entry visa, please remember that your second entry can be no later than 180 days from the date your visa was issued!

The duration of stay of a "F" visa is 60 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 60 days from the date of entry. The visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay in China for more than 60 days, upto 180 days (single entry) or 90 day (double or multiple entry).

* original Chinese passport and a copy of the photo/data page are required the first time you apply for a Chinese visa. Your Chinese passport will be returned to you after it is canceled.

** usually only copies of the photo/data page and the page with a Chinese visa is needed, and you don't have to submit the actual old foreign passport with a Chinese visa.