Updates related to COVID-19 and Houston consulate closure

2023/01/12: As the consulate announced plans to open for normal business, this page will no longer be updated. The content is out of date and is now only for archieving purposes.

Due to COVID-19, all consulates in US suspended services from April 7, 2020, then gradually resumed partial service, first for urgent cases. Now (July 2020) authentication is almost normal except for the need of an appointment. Visa is also coming back. On July 24, 2020, the Houston consulate was closed by the US, and the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC takes over its duties. On June 13, 2022, the consulate now opens visa applications for family members (S1/S2, Q1/Q2). After January 21, 2023, the consulate opens for normal business.

Special arrangements during COVID-19: appointment needed

Due to COVID-19, all consulates suspended normal services since April 7, 2020, and now only handle limited visa and all authentication applications.

• The embassy is closed, and only accepts applications by appointment.
• Authentication applications are basically "normal" as of June 2022, except for the requirement of appointment. However, Chinese visa application is very difficult to get approved since November 2020. Please note: whether to approve your case is solely the decision by the consul and there is no guarantee that your case will be approved.

Time and cost

1. During the COVID-19, the appointment/pre-approval process at the embassy takes about 1 week or more, and 1-2 weeks after submission (Oct 2022), total 2-3 weeks.
2. The state Secretary of State certification is normal in most states (2-3 weeks).
3. US Department of State closed walk-in window, and it takes about 10 weeks currently (Oct 2022).

Apostille

Important notice to those who have never been to US before

As part of the authentication application, the consulate generally asks for a copy of a document showing your legal status in the US if you hold a non US passport. This creates an issue for those who have never been to the US before (e.g. those who got degrees online). The former Houston consulate would accept an explanation letter, but the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC wants you to provide a copy of legal document (e.g. I-20 or any type of visa, either valid or expired is fine). If you could not provide this document, the outcome will be uncertain. If your application is denied, we will NOT refund the service fee or any fee already incurred. Please consider this uncertainty before you place your order.

[Update on 2020/12/14] We recently have had several successful cases where the applicant used a foreign address on the application form and did not provide a copy of the document showing legal status in the US.

Houston consulate closure

The visa and authentication services handled by the Houston consulate are now provided by the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC. We had a division in Washington DC since 2013, and will be able to serve customers of AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, OK, TX and PR contineously.

Chinese visa

1. The document requirements are listed on the home page.
2. Transition should be seamless.

Document authentication

1. There is an extra step involved, all documents going to Chinese Embassy in DC must be authenticated by the US Department of State first (confirmed with the embassy by email on July 27, 2020). We offer service for this step.
2. If the document is not in English, an English translation must be provided, as required by the US Department of State.