Overview
China's visa process has two parts, and which route applies depends on where you live. If you reside somewhere covered by the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system, you fill in the form yourself at cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn (or an embassy-specific subdomain), then either you or someone acting for you brings your passport and printed application to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in person — no appointment needed in several locations. If you reside in one of the roughly 46 countries where China has outsourced document collection to the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC), you submit there instead, following the same self-service form-then-in-person pattern. In both cases, applying yourself carries no extra cost — you're only paying the government visa fee, not a markup for someone else's assistance, unless you deliberately choose to use one.
Visa categories
| L (Tourist) | Sightseeing and leisure travel. |
|---|---|
| M (Business) | Commercial and trade activities. |
| F (Visit) | Exchanges, visits, study tours and other non-commercial activities. |
| Q1 / Q2 (Family) | Family reunion or visiting relatives. |
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least one blank visa page
- Completed and submitted online application (COVA), printed with barcode
- Recent passport-style photo, uploaded during the online step
- Supporting documents specific to your visa category (invitation letter, business correspondence, proof of relationship for family visits)
- Proof of accommodation and travel itinerary
Step-by-step application process
1. Determine your consular jurisdiction
Check which Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General covers your country of residence, since applications must go to the correct jurisdiction.
2. Complete the online form at COVA
Register an account, fill in your details, and upload the required materials for preliminary online review.
3. Wait for online review
Once your status shows "Passport to be submitted," you're ready for the next step.
4. Submit your passport in person (or via someone else)
Bring your original passport, the printed application summary with barcode, and original supporting documents to the visa office of the embassy or consulate — or the CVASC in countries where that applies. Many locations don't require an appointment for this step.
5. Pay the fee and collect your passport
Pay when submitting or collecting, per your specific mission's instructions, then collect your passport once processed.
Fees & processing time
| Standard processing | Typically around 4 working days; expedited processing is available for an extra charge, calculated from the date the passport is submitted |
|---|---|
| Fee | Varies by nationality and visa type, shown on the relevant embassy or CVASC site |
| In-person requirement | Applicants aged roughly 14–70 generally need to appear in person for biometrics; younger and older applicants may be exempt depending on jurisdiction |
Sources reviewed: consular.mfa.gov.cn / cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Chinese embassy and consulate-general pages in the US, visaforchina.org (China Visa Application Service Center). Jurisdictions, appointment requirements and fees vary widely by country — always confirm with the Chinese mission covering your place of residence.