Created on: April 6, 2012

US Department of State has announced a fee increase for visa application beginning mid-April, 2012. It is widely expected that the Chinese side will match that increase in consular fee for applications of Chinese visa in US (i.e. from $140 to $160). Here are answers to some common questions.

1. From past experience, there will definitely be an increase in consular fee for visa application, but the exact time will be not announced until the last minute, i.e. on a 0-1 business day notice.
2. You will pay the actual consular fee charged, i.e. if your application is submitted after the fee increase, you will need to pay the extra cost, even though you already paid the fee as calculated on the order form.
3. The consular fee is determined at the time of submission.
4. After we receive your application, we will submit your application the following day. Since it is now busy season and we expect more applicants want to "beat" the visa fee increase, we do not promise to submit your application the same day as we receive it, EVEN for rush service (obviously we will do our best).
5. Please follow carefully the instructions on the "Form download" page when completing visa application form. Even if there is a small issue, the application may be rejected or returned by the consul.
6. If the consul request additional document(s), in most cases it will be considered a new submission, and the consular fee will be accessed at the rate on the day of new submission.