To enter the People’s Republic of China, a U.S. citizen must have a valid U.S. passport and Chinese visa. An "L" Visa is issued to an alien who comes to China for travel or visiting family members.
Step 1
Preparation: Your valid passport which must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it. One completed Visa Application Form with one standard passport photo.
Step 2
Applying process: You must apply for the visa in the visa office of the Embassy or Consulate General in the consular jurisdiction in which you live to submit the application, You must either come to the Embassy or Consulate personally or you may entrust someone else or an agent for the application process.
Step 3
Pickup and fee: The cost for an "L" visa is currently $130 for a single entry. The regular visa processing time is 4 working days. Additional fees are required for express service.
Tips
- The validity of an "L" visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void.
- Mailed applications are not acceptable.
Warnings
- Fee must be paid by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are not acceptable. The New York consulate accepts credit cards (Visa and MasterCard only).
- Person suffering from a mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases will not be granted a visa to enter China.
