As of March 15, 2023, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco will adopt the following new requirements for Chinese visa application.
1. Prepare the application documents according to the purpose of going to China and the corresponding visa type:
VisaType | Applicable Situation | Required Documents
| |
Basic Documents | General Documents | ||
M | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. |
Invitation Letter issued by the trade partner in China (Please refer to Annex 3 for the contents of the invitation letter) | 1.Passport (The remaining validity must be more than 6 months with at least 1 blank visa page)
to fill out the form online
5.Proof of Residence (e.g. driver’s license, utility bill, bank bill)
6.Where You Stay Form (Please see Annex, handwritten signature required)
7.If the applicant is a foreigner in the US, he/she needs to provide a photocopy of green card, visa, I20, or I94 to prove their legal residence in the US.
8. If the applicant was of Chinese nationality, this application is the first Chinese visa application after naturalization in a foreign country, please provide a photocopy of the personal information page of the Chinese passport. In addition, the last physical Chinese passport, naturalization certificate are needed for the visa application.
9.If the applicant's name has been changed, and it is the first time to apply for a Chinese visa after the name change, a photocopy of the name change document is required.
10. For the visa application by a minor of Chinese origin born in the US, please follow the guidance.
|
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities. | Invitation Letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China (Please refer to Annex 3 for the contents of the invitation letter) | |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China | Valid “Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit”or the original “Foreigner's Work Permit” | |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. | 1.Visa Application for Study in China (original JW201 / JW202 Form) 2. The original Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China. | |
X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. | The original Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China. | |
S1 | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. | 1. Invitation Letter (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) 2. Photocopy of the personal information page of the inviting individual's passport and Residence Permit ( or photocopy of Z visa / X1 visa application documents) 3. The original proof of kinship between the applicant and the inviting individual (e.g. Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate etc. ) *In case of private affairs, relevant supporting documents shall be provided upon request. | |
S2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. "family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | 1. Invitation Letter (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) 2. Photocopy of the personal information page of the inviting individual's passport and Stay or Residence Permit or visa 3. The proof of kinship between the applicant and the inviting individual (e.g. Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate etc. ) *In case of private affairs (medical treatment, inheritance, litigation, real estate, marriage, etc.), relevant supporting documents shall be provided upon request. | |
Q1
| Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. "Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers,sisters,grandparents,grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | 1. Invitation Letter (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) 2. Photocopy of the inviting individual's Chinese ID card or the personal information page of the foreigner's passport and photocopy of the Chinese Permanent Residence Permit 3. The original proof of kinship between the applicant and the inviting individual (e.g. Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate etc. ) *In case of foster care, relevant supporting documents shall be provided upon request. | |
Q2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. | 1. Invitation letter (which proves the relationship between the inviting individual and the applicant) (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) 2. Photocopy of the inviting individual's Chinese ID documents or the personal information page of the foreigner's passport and photocopy of the Chinese Permanent Residence Permit | |
L | Issued to those who go to China for tourism | Round-trip air tickets and hotel orders or invitation letters issued by Chinese travel agencies or individuals (a photocopy of the ID of the inviting individual needs be attached) (Please refer to Annex 3 for the contents of the invitation letter) *Invitation letter or travelling itinerary issued by a reception travel agency in China if traveling to China by your own vehicle *Itinerary if travelling by ship | |
R | Issued to high level foreign talents | “Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents” * spouse or minor child (under 18 years of age) submits proof of kinship (e.g. Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate) to apply for S2 visa. | |
C | Issued to crew members | 1.Guarantee Letter from transport company 2. Photocopy of crew member ID (both sides) if any | |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. | The original Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status | |
G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region. | |
2. Who do not need to apply for a new visa:
a) Those applicable to various mutual visa exemption agreements
b) Those holding valid Permanent Residence Certificates in China
c) Those holding various types of valid Residence Permits
d) Those applicable to the 24-hour visa-free transit arrangement
e) Those applicable to the visa-exemption policy for Hainan, visa-exemption cruise policy for Shanghai, visa-exemption policy for foreigners to visit Guangdong from Hong Kong and Macao, and visa-exemption policy for ASEAN tour groups to Guilin, Guangxi
f) Those holding valid APEC business travel cards (Please note: The United States and Canada are transitional members of the APEC Travel Card Program. APEC business travel cards issued by the United States and Canada do not have visa function, and visas are required for those holders to go to China.）
*Please contact the immigration inspection agencies of the intended destination for the application of the 72 and 144-hour Transit Visa Exemption Program.
3. The consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco includes North California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Please confirm that the applicant lives in the above-mentioned states before submitting the visa application.
4. Please note:
4.1 Applying for diplomatic, official, service visa or J1/J2 visa, please send an email to sf_visa@csm.mfa.gov.cn, and the staff will give corresponding instructions.
4.2 As of February 3, 2023, the physical visa application documents can be submitted to the Visa Office. Applications for legalization or authentication remain to be processed by email and while passport, travel document applications will continue to be conducted by APP. Please wear masks when entering the Visa Office, accept security check and follow the instructions of the Office staff.
4.3 As of March 13, 2023, visa applicants (or agents) need to log on to the website https://avas.mfa.gov.cn/ "Appointment for Visa Application Submission (AVAS)", and make appointments for on-site submission at the Visa Office. If the applicant goes to China to mourn or visit the critically ill relatives, he / she can email to sf_visa@csm.mfa.gov.cn with the title of the email indicating "emergency humanitarian + state of residence + name of the applicant + passport number". In addition to the above-mentioned application documents, he/she is required to provide photocopy of notice of critical illness or death certificate, the identity certificate of the critically ill patient or deceased (such as Chinese ID card or foreign passport personal information page) and proof of kinship etc.. (Please note: if the title of the email or the application documents do not meet the requirements, the relevant applications will not be processed). For the applications that meet the requirements, guidance and convenience will be given.
4.4 If the original application documents are required，please submit both the original and photocopies (or faxed or printed copies). If the original documents are not required, photocopies (or faxed or printed copies) will be accepted.
5. Address of the Visa Office:
1450 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA94115 (Entrance at Geary Blvd)
6. Office Hours:
9:30-14:30 (Monday to Friday, except weekends and holidays)
7. Inquiries
Email: sf_visa@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Hotline: 415-919-6008 or 415-872-9091 (Monday to Friday 9:00-12:00, 13:00-14:30, except weekends and holidays)
Annex 1: Important Tips for Online COVA Visa Form Filling
A1.1 Please carefully read the prompts and requirements of the COVA form system, and complete the entries of the visa application COVA online form step by step, making sure that the information is true, accurate and complete.
Please note: Once the application form has been submitted, it cannot be modified in any way.
A1.2 The "location" option for submitting the visa application should be in line with the consular jurisdiction.
A1.3 Basic personal information. Surname, given names, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport type, etc. must be exactly the same as those on the passport information page, otherwise your visa application will be returned.
A1.4 If you were born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), please note:
A1.4.1 Application form 1.1E The native language name must be entered in Chinese with the Chinese character input method, please do not fill in "Chinese", "Chinese", etc.
A1.4.2 In the application form 1.6G, select "Yes" for "former nationality", and then select the nationality information.
A1.4.3 Item 1.6H of the application form is required. If the applicant is applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, this entry will be automatically generated during the form filling process; but if the applicant has previously applied for a Chinese visa, this entry will not be displayed when filling in the online form, and the form must be printed out and supplemented by hand-written Chinese name and other information. This Item cannot be empty.
A1.5 Completely fill in the work experience and educational background
A1.5.1 Please fill in the complete work experience after graduation from school.
A1.5.2 The “position” and “duty” of the application form 3.3D and 3.3E must be filled in completely.
A1.5.3 Please fill in the complete learning experience since high school in 4.2, and the diploma/degree and major in 4.2C and 4.2D must be completed.
A1.6 Completely fill in each address
The address of the spouse in 5.5A of the application form, and the addresses of the parents in 5.5B and 5.5C must fill in the address of the current location, not the address of the place of birth. The address must be filled in completely, including street, city, state, and country.
A1.7 If you choose "not applicable" for any entry in the form, you need to state the reason for “not applicable”.
A1.8 Printing and signing. After completing the COVA online form filling, you must print out a full set of application forms, including the "Confirmation of Online Visa application" and "Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China" (depending on the individual filling situation, a total of 9 to 10 pages will be generated). All the pages of the forms must be printed to turn in, the signature and date on the Confirmation Page and the 8th page of Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China must be handwritten by the applicant him/herself. Visa applicant under the age of 18 is signed by their guardian, and meanwhile add a handwritten signature in the "For person filling in the application on the applicant’s behalf".
Annex 2: Contents of S1, S2, Q1, Q2 Visa Invitation Letter
Inviter’s name XX, gender X, date of birth: XX, Chinese ID number XXX (or foreign passport number XX, Chinese permanent residence card number XX), current address in China is XX, contact phone number XX, email XX.
I hereby invite the following relatives to visit China for a short-term visit/long-term residence. He/She plans to go to China on XX, and stay in China for XX days.
Invitee information: name XX, gender X, date of birth XX, nationality XX, passport number XX, and the relative relationship with the inviter is XX.
Inviter's signature: Date:
Annex 3: Contents of M, F and L Visa Invitation Letter
A3.1 Personal information of the invitee: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
A3.2 Information about the invitee’s visit to China: reason for coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting unit or inviter, who will pay for the travel, etc.
A3.3 Inviting party information: inviting party name, address, telephone number, official seal, legal representative or inviter’s signature, date, etc. (the information must be included in the text of the invitation letter)
Annex 4: Where You Stay Form
Please note: According to the visa application requirements, if the applicant is not in the United States, he cannot apply for a visa to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in the United States. If the applicant comes to the Consulate General in person to submit the physical application documents, he or she does not need to fill in the Where You Stay Form.