Chinese Visa News and Updates

Revised: 2023-02-24

2023/01/12: consulate will resume normal business beginning Jan 26 (visa application normal except for tourist visa).
2022/07/20: Rush apostille of diploma, criminal records, for use in Hague countries.
2022/02/15: consulate processing time 1-2 weeks. US Department of State authentication takes about 12 weeks.
2021/09/15: Our mirror site http://visa.ynptravel.com is now open to help customers in China.
2022/06/13: The consulate now opens visa applications for work and family members (S1/S2, Q1/Q2).
2021/07/28: US DOS fee increased to $20 per document from July 15. We will update our web pages gradually.
2021/04/06: per email from embassy in Januray, authentication may take 2-6 weeks due to backlog during holiday. But now things are getting worse: appointment is taking longer to approve (> 2 weeks), and processing time 3-7 weeks.
Consulate suspends services due to COVID-19 since April 2020. No timetable for re-open, but urgent cases may be processed since June 2020 (consulate pre-approval needed). (details)
2020/07/22: Houston consulate closed by US, Chinese Embassy in Washington DC takes over its duties (we have been serving clients from our DC location since 2013) (details)
2020/04/04: Due to COVID-19, all US consulates, including Houston and Chinese Embassy in Washington DC will temporarily suspend services starting from April 7.
2020/03/24: Houston: visa on hold (accept application but not issuing visa), authentication basically normal. DC Chinese Embassy: for both visa and authentication, please write a letter indicating your reason for urgent use, and then we submit to embassy for appointment.
2020/03/20: US Department of State no longer accepts walk-in due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Please allow 10 weeks (Oct 2022) instead of 1 week.
2020/03/10: Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), we may delay opening the mail for a day, to minimize staff exposure.
2019/03/11: Chinese Embassy in Washington DC now requires hotel reservation for tourist visa, and employer letter for all visa types.
2019/10/11: Houston consulate adopts new version of visa application form - old version no longer accepted beginning Nov. 1.
2018/11/01: The consulate increased fees for expedited service: 25 for express and 37 for rush.
2019/04/10: Our DC office moves to Rockville location. Please do not mail to old Derwood address after April 20.
Our DC office moves to DERWOOD location, please do not mail to old Hungerford address after May 20.
2018/02/22: Now accept QuickPay (QuickPay with Zelle).
2018/01/03: Property or business related authentications may incur additional delay due to extended review at the consulate.
2017/11/13: New 2-page authentication form must be typed in upper case, cannot be filled with a pen.
2017/09/07: Mail delivery basically normal now. Our Houston office operates normally.
2017/08/31: The consulate re-opened, but mail delivery is not yet resumed as of yesterday. We mailed some urgent orders from Austin.
2017/08/27: Hurricane Harvey has dumped 20-30 inches of rain as of Sunday morning in Houston area, and more are expected until Wednesday. (Aug 28) Roads in Houston are closed, so we expect that Houston consulate will remain closed until Labor Day.
2020/03/23 consulate processing time update: Houston: visa on hold (accept application but not issuing visa), authentication basically normal. --, rush service is limited (except for family emergency), express may be one day faster than regular (thus do not recommend); authentication, Houston consulate basically normal.-- DC Chinese Embassy: 1-2 weeks for both visa and authentication. -- may be slightly delayed; rush/express may be limited.
2017/04/01: Work visa (Z): invitation letter no longer needed (unless otherwise specified), work permit alone is enough.
2017/03/28: there may be major delay in processing visa and authentication applications at Houston consulate next 2-3 weeks due to internal change at the consulate.
2016/12/01: visa photo requirement change: need white background - no color or gray background.
2016/10/06: The regular processing time for authentication at Chinese Embassy is DC changed to 7 business days. Please plan accordingly.
2016/08/16: Z visa applicants: the consulate checks your information in the computer system to combat fraud, please ask your employee to load your information into computer system of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2016/03/29: All processing will be delayed by 3 days in Chinese Embassy in DC for about a week, i.e. rush will take 4 days. Please plan accordingly.
2016/07/29: We are converting our site to a more mobile friendly design since June. Please excuse us for any inconvenience.
2016/01/21: USPS and FedEx increased their rates and we adjusted shipping fees accordingly.

2015/03/09: Canadian passport holder can now apply for Chinese visa of up to 10-year multiple entry.
2015/01/28: Due to sudden increase in volume and staff vacation, Houston consulate extends regular processing to 10 business days.

2014/11/12: Per Sino-US agreement, Chinese consulate in Houston and Chinese Embassy in Washington DC began issuing 10-year multiple entry visa to US citizens.

2013/08/22: New visa application form V2013 will be introduced Sept. 1. Changes in Chinese visa application effective Sept. 1, 2013.
2013/03/10: We now accept visa and authentication applications from states covered by Chinese Embassy in DC.
2013/01/14: The consulate closes for Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) Feb. 11-13.
2013/1/2: Authentication for opening business in China now has a dedicated page.

2012/10/14: Mail travels slower during holiday season, please plan accordingly.
2012/07/24: NEW: from August 1, all applications for Chinese visa must provide invitation letter and/or flight and hotel reservations, details. Also, rush service and express service need additional approval and take extra time. Please plan accordingly.
2012/07/16: Houston consulate adopts new application form for authentication.
2012/05/14: the Chinese consulate now returns many applications due to small things on the visa application form, or even asks for interview. Please follow carefully the instructions on "Chinese visa form download" page when completing the Chinese visa application form, and apply 3-10 weeks before your travel date.
2012/04/26: Chinese consulate officers will go to Atlanta (May 19) to process Chinese passport and travel certificate applications. Details
2012/04/06: Notice regarding possible consular fee increase
2012/02/03: Please pay attention to the instructions on Form Download page - the consulate is paying special attention to details, so should you!

2011/06/29: the consulate switchs to the 4-page visa application form on July 1, which must be typed in CAPITAL letters (hand filled forms no longer accepted). See "Forms" page for details.

2010/12/20: Non-US passport holders: please provide orignal AND copy of green card/I-94
2010/09/15: First time application who were born in Chinese must provide original AND copy of old Chinese passport.
2010/09/08: Chinese consulate's Atlanta trip (Sept. 4) processed over 1800 applications.
2010/08/27: Chinese consulate officers will go to Puerto Rico (September 13-14) to process Chinese passport and travel certificate applications. Details
2010/06/01: China expands "resident permit" to more catagories, allowing an alien to stay in China for upto 2 years. [details in Chinese] These measures are mainly designed to benefit people with Chinese family ties.
2010/05/18: French passport holders: please provide a copy of your flight itinerary. For business visa, please also provide an invitation letter from Chinese side AND a letter from your company/organization in US.
2010/02/25: From March 1, all Chinese passport renewals will need to come to the consulate in person, even for children and elderly.
2010/01/04: (walk-in customers) Houston consulate stops accepting cash, will accept credit card or money order.

2009/11/05: Houston consulate will go to Maimi (Dec. 6) to process passport and travel certificate applications. Details
2009/07/30: Houston consulate will go to Atlanta (Sept. 5-6) to process passport applications. Details
06/15/2009: Our internet hosting company had a power outrage at 6pm EST; order-related dynamic pages restored in 12 hours.
06/09/2009: Temporary measures due to swine flu lifted: rush and express services now available.
05/18/2009: For those who wish to stay in China for more than 60 days on each trip, you should either have a family tie, born in China, or otherwise justify your long stay.
05/05/2009: Visa issued by Chinese consulates in US will take 6 business days, and no rush or express available. In addition, applicants will need to fill out a Declaration Form (measures lifted on 06/09/2009)
04/26/2009: We did a major system upgrade this morning. If you notice any problem, please email us at visa@ywpw.com Thank you.
3/26/2009: Non-US passport holder can apply for multiple entry visa, and please provide document for long term stay in US.
3/20/2009: Houston consulate will go to Atlanta (Sept.) and Miami (Nov.) to process passport applications. Please plan accordingly.
01/15/2009: Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is Jan. 25. The consulate closes on Jan. 26-27.

09/24/2008: Extra visa requirements imposed before Beijing Olympics lifted [details]
09/23/2008: Impact due to Hurricane Ike: power restored, new orders no longer affected
09/19/2008: Extra visa requirements imposed before Beijing Olmpics to be lifted [details]
09/11/2008: Due to Hurricane Ike, processing time for visa may be delayed by a day or two [details and updated status]
08/20/2008: Houston consulate "open office" in Atlanta Aug. 30-31 (details in Chinese)
05/06/2008: Visas for foreign students holding an I-20 (F-1/F-2) is suspended. (restriction lifted Nov. 2008)
USPS increase rate on 05/12/2008, priority mail with delivery confirmation will cost $5.45.
From 04/15/2008, all applicants need to provide itinerary; family visit needs to provide document of relationship; student (including short term) needs to provide official letter from educational authorities. [details] (measures lifted 09/23/2008)
04/14/2008, 2-year multiple visa suspended. (2-year visa for family visit restored since 2009, 2-year visa for business still not available)
04/02/2008: non-US citizens can only apply for a single entry Chinese visa, with a 30-day maximum duration of stay in China. (lifted 3/26/2009)
04/01/2008: either parent must come in person to the consulate to apply for travel certificate for Children. The consulate no longer accepts mail applications from mid-March.
03/10/2008: Change for application of travel certificate: mail application no longer accepted. Adults must come in person; Children may apply through an agent, friend.
01/21/2008: Chinese consular visa fee for US passports will be adjusted from $100 to $130 regardless of the number of entries. The fees for non-US citizens not affected. This is believed to match the recent increase by US visa application fee for Chinese citizens. If you plan to stay in China for more than 90 days, please apply for a single entry visa.

10/16/2007: Chinese consulate started issuing 2-year multiple family visit visa to US citizens originally born in China. [details in Chinese]
09/01/2007: The Chinese consulate in Houston starts using new visa application form (Q1). This new version has two pages. Old one-page for is no longer accepted.
06/29/2007: from 08/01/2007: Chinese consular visa fee for US passport will be adjusted to $100 regardless of the number of entries you are applying for.

09/10/2006: US citizens can apply for one-year multiple entry visa without providing additional document(s). [details in Chinese]
09/08/2006: from Jan 1, 2007, no more Chinese passport extension. Instead, you can apply for a new 10-year Chinese passport. [details in Chinese]