The new China Online Visa Application System (click to redirect) launches at theChinese Consulate General in San Francisco on September 30, 2025. The following application requirements apply to visa application using the new System.
I. Application Requirements
1. The Consulate General of China in San Francisco only accepts visa applications from foreign nationals who reside within its consular district which includes: Alaska, Northern California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming. Applicants not physically in the United States cannot apply for a visa at Chinese embassy or consulates in the U.S.
2. If you have previously obtained a Chinese visa, you must ensure that your prior visa is no longer valid or about to become unusable before applying for a new one, such as in the following cases:
--- The previous visa has been lost or damaged;
--- Personal information (name, gender, date of birth, etc.) on the previous visa has changed. If only your passport has been renewed but personal information remains the same, the old visa may still be used along with the new passport;
--- The purpose of travel to China has changed;
--- The previous visa has less than 6 months’ validity remaining. If it is still valid for more than 6 months and otherwise usable, the Consulate will not issue a new visa.
Please note: An expired US passport with a valid Chinese visa is good for traveling to China provided it is used together with a new valid US passport bearing the same name, sex, date of birth and nationality. If any changes are made to the above mentioned information on the new passport, a new visa shall be applied.
3. Individuals eligible under bilateral agreements, the 240-hour transit visa exemption, or unilateral visa exemptions are not required to apply for a visa (click here to see exemption situations).
4. According to Chinese law and international practice, the Consulate reserves the right to refuse any visa application without providing reasons.
II. Visa Application Procedure
Applicants should log into the China Online Visa Application Website (https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/) to fill out the application form and upload documents online, then have themselves or others (no appointment needed) submit the original passport to the Consulate.
It is recommended to consult the“Guidance on Visa Application”on the website for detailed instructions and lists of required documents for different visa categories.
The specific steps are as follows:
Step 1. Fill in Information Online
Register an account using your email at the top-right “Login”button. Each account may submit applications for multiple individuals, with no limit.
On the homepage, click “Start My Application”, select “San Francisco”, fill in information truthfully, upload documents, and submit for preliminary review.
Step 2. Follow Up Online
If supplementary documents or corrections are required, the system will notify you with messages such as “Supplementary Materials to be provided” or “Rejected and to be modified”. Log in periodically to check“Track the status of my application”to upload additional documents, or amend information as required.
Step 3. Submit Documents in Person(no appointment needed)
When the status changes to “Passport to be Submitted”,applicants should submit the following physical documents in person (you may also entrust someone else or an agency to submit the application on your behalf):
1. Printed barcode page from the application system;
2. Original passport;
3. Other documents required by the Consulate (see Section III: Whether physical documents need to be submitted to the Consulate).
When arriving at the visa office, please undergo security check at the entrance, collect your number, and wait for the window to call for processing. After receiving your documents, the consulate will conduct a re-review and may notify you via email or phone call to supplement more documents or request an interview.
Step 4. Collect Visa or Returned Passport(no appointment needed)
When the status changes to “Passport to be Collected” or “Review Failed”,please bring the Pick-up Receipt (issued when submitting documents) to collect the visa and pay the fee, or retrieve the returned passport.
Important Notes:
--- No mail service is provided.
--- Fingerprints are not required for visa applications. Submissions and pickups can be made by the applicant or others.
--- Avoid peak hours such as Mondays, Fridays, and the first workday after public holidays. The hours from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm are also busy.
--- Please make sure that all the information on the visa is correct when pick up. If there is any inaccuracy, please tell the staff immediately in case inconvenience brought by the incorrect information.
III. Visa Types and Required Documents
Visa Type | Visa Description | Required Documents (include“A.Basic Documents” and “B.General Documents” Please note that text in black indicates documents that need to be uploaded online. Text in red indicates documents that require to be presented as originals when submit on-site to the Visa Office. | |
A. Basic Documents | B. General Documents | ||
L | Issued to those who intend to go to China for tourism
| N/A *Starting from January 1, 2024, the Chinese Embassy andConsulates-General in the United States simplify application documents required for tourist visa (L-visa). Tourist visa applicants within the United States will no longer be required to submit round-trip air ticket booking record, proof of hotel reservation, itinerary or invitation letter. Since visa applications are processed on a case-by-case basis, please refer to the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States for specifics. | Documents to be uploaded online: 1. Passport bio-page, blank visa page (Passport remaining validity must be more than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages) 2. Proof of Residence within the Consular Jurisdiction of the Consulate: driver's license, state ID, utility bill (water, electricity, gas, internet), or bank statement.【If the minor is unable to provide, please submit the parents' documents】. 3. The latest Chinese visa or the Chinese residence permit. 4. If you previously held Chinese nationality and this is your first time applying for a Chinese visa after acquiring foreign nationality, you must provide naturalization certificate and the information page of your last Chinese passport. 5. If the name on your current foreign passport differs from that on your last Chinese passport or last Chinese visa, submit an official name change document (e.g., court order or marriage certificate). 6. For first-time Chinese visa applicants under the age of 16, the child's birth certificate is required. If either or both parents listed on the birth certificate were born in China, the following additional documents must be provided: A. The passport(s) and proof of permanent residency abroad (such as a U.S. Green Card, Canadian PR Card, etc.) held by either or both parents at the time of the child's birth; B. If either or both parents have since acquired foreign nationality, naturalization certificate must be provided. 7. Third-country nationals in the U.S. need provide legal stay/residency document in the U.S. (e.g., Green Card, U.S.-visa, Employment Authorization Card，I-20 form, or I-94 form) 8. Other documents that the applicant considers necessary to provide, or additional documents required after review by the Consulate General.
Documents to be submitted on-site as originals: 1. Passport original used for visa application 2. Applicationinfo-pageshowing “Passport to be submitted” status and the barcode of the application form 3. Old passport containing previous Chinese visa or residence permit which is still within validity 4. If the applicant was of Chinese nationality, the latest Chinese passport is required for submission. 5. For Q1 or S1 visa application, the original certification showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual is required for verification. 6. Other original documents that the consular officials asked to be submitted on-site. |
M
| Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities | Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) | |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities | An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) | |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China | Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners | |
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. An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) (Please refer to Annex 1 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2. Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page and residence permit
3.Original of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual. (Please upload the photocopy of certification online)
*In case of other personal 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 matters. 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.An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) (Please refer to Annex 1 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2.Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page, residence permit or visa.
3.Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.
*In case of other personal affairs, 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 the purpose of 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.An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. (Please refer to Annex 1 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2.Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual; Or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner’s passport and the permanent residence permit (front and back).
3.Original of certification (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.(Please upload the photocopy of certification online) | |
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.An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China; (Please refer to Annex 1 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2.Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual; or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner’s passport and the permanent residence permit (front and back). | |
R | Issued to High-level talents | Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents | |
C | Issued to Crew member | Guarantee Letter from the transport company | |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. | 1.Foreign higher education institution students:
2.Foreign elementary, junior/senior high school students: Confirmation Form for Elementary Stage Students Study in China
(For foreign elementary, junior/senior high school students who reside in China for family reunion purpose, application for X1 visa is not compulsory.) | |
X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. | 1.Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China. 2.Information Form for Foreign Students' Short-term Visit (Form DQ, if have) | |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. | Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s 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. | |
J1/J2 visa should refer to the requirements of the competent authority | |||
Annex 1 Contents of S1, S2, Q1, Q2 Visa Invitation Letter
The inviting person’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.
The invited person’s information: name XX, gender X, date of birth XX, nationality XX, passport number XX, and the relative relationship with the inviting person is XX.
The inviting person signature: Date:
Annex 2 Contents of M，F and L Visa Invitation Letter
1. Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
2. Information about the invited person’s visit to China: reason for coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting unit or person, who will pay for the travel, etc.
3. Inviting party’s information: name, address, telephone number, official seal, legal representative and signature, date, etc. (the information must be included in the text of the invitation letter)
IV. Processing Time and Fees
Regular service: 4 business days
Express service: 2-3 business days (urgent situation)
Please note: The above processing time is average and for reference only and is calculated from the date of passport submission.
It may take longer time to process certain applications, in which cases the pick-up date cannot be confirmed until the consulate notifies you via email or phone call.
The Pick-up Receipt issued by the Consulate will indicate the earliest estimated date for pick-up. Please check your online application status on or after that date. When the status shows “Passport to be collected”, you may come to the visa office for pick-up.
Only credit cards (Master/Visaonly), money order or cashier's check will be accepted for payment.
For visa processing fees, please click here.
V. Address and Contact Information of the Visa Office
Address of the Visa Office:
1450 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA94115 (Visa Office Entrance at Geary Blvd)
Office Hours:
9:30-14:30 (Monday to Friday, closed on weekends and holidays)
Email address: sf_visa@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Phone number:
415-919-6008 (9:00-13:00, Monday to Friday, except holidays)
Please follow the instruction of the staff upon entry to the Visa Office.
