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Best China Visa Services for 2024 | Reviewed & Rated

February 4, 2024 By Josh Summers

In 2024, the best China visa services do more than just help you get a Chinese visa. They help you navigate a post-Covid world where there are hoops to jump through and extra documents you need. You want an established company that knows what they’re doing and can be trusted with your valuable documents. Here are my recommendations based on 10 years of getting visas to China.

In my experience, choosing a company to handle my China visa application process was nerve wracking. All I had to go by was their website (and they all had glowing testimonials, amazingly!) and chances are I would never meet people face-to-face.

Worst of all, I was about to send them my passport, social security number and credit card number.

If I were a con-artist, this would be a gold mine.

I had to rely on recommendations from people who had traveled before me and thankfully everything worked out just fine. What I learned, however, is that a good recommendation brings peace of mind when applying for a Chinese visa.

Over the past decade, I have applied for (and received) a China tourist visa, a China student visa, a China work visa and a China business visa. This is the result of my research and experience:

• Why use a China Visa Service?
• Passport Visas Express (Recommended w/ 10% discount)
• Travel Visa Pro (10% discount code)
• China Visa Service Center

I hope you’ll be able to benefit from all the research I’ve done and special discounts I’ve negotiated!

*Note* Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may be compensated if you choose to use any of these best China visa services. I have either personally used or thoroughly vetted each company.

Why Should You Use a China Visa Service

It’s important to note that these best China visa services are meant for U.S. citizens only.

If you’re applying from most other countries in Europe, Africa, Canada and South America, you’ll need to apply through the China Visa Application Services Center .

For those applicants with a U.S. passport who are applying for a visa , it is required that your application be hand-delivered to (and picked up from) the appropriate Chinese consulate. You are no longer able to mail in a China visa application directly to the consulate.

That’s where one of these best China visa services come in handy, especially if you don’t live anywhere near the consulate.

You see, unless you live right next to a Chinese embassy, this requires a lot of travel and uncertainty.

A China visa service offer the following benefits:

• Application Check: They’ll check your application to make sure there aren’t any errors that would cause the Chinese embassy to reject your application. They know which documents and tests you’ll need to get your visa approved.
• Hand Delivery and Pickup : They will hand deliver your application to the appropriate Chinese embassy and pick it up when it’s ready. All you have to do is ship your passport/application to them with a return, pre-paid envelope.
• Rush Service: If you need a Chinese visa urgently, these services have the appropriate connections and understanding of the system to get it done for you. It’s going to be costly, but that’s just the cost of speed.

If you live near a Chinese embassy, it might not be necessary to use one of these visa companies.

For the rest of us, though, it’s pretty much a necessity.

Best China Visa Services (Reviewed)

Below are four of the best and most trustworthy services online that can help you apply for your Chinese visa, no matter what kind of visa it is.

I’m starting with the ones that I’ve used and recommend the most. Thankfully, these are also the ones that have graciously offered a discount code for their services!

Passport Visas Express (Recommended)

PassportVisasExpress.com is the service my family has used multiple times for China. It’s an easy recommendation from me.

For over 15 years they have been working with the U.S. Passport Agency and they have offices in Washington D.C., Chicago and San Francisco. They serve all U.S. citizens as well as anybody who is legal resident of the U.S.

I’ve been very impressed with the personal response that I’ve received with Passport Visas Express and that’s something that they seem to take pride in with their “Live Online Chat” feature.

Personally, I put a high priority on customer service because this is, in my opinion, what separates good companies from great companies. Below is what else makes PassportVisasExpress.com different:

• Application Preparation Services : Do you need help filling out your application? Or perhaps you just want to pay to have somebody do everything for you? PassportVisasExpress offers preparation services that include a phone appointment which they will use to fill out you application for you.
• Customer Service : Whether you do better chatting online or speaking to somebody over the phone, both options are available to you with PassportVisasExpress.
• Clear Instructions : They tell you exactly what they need and the reasoning behind it – there’s even an entire page walking you through common problems filling out the China visa application.
• PassportVisaExpress.com Discount Code : I’ve been working with PassportVisaExpress for so long that they’ve given me an exclusive discount code for TravelChinaCheaper readers. Just click my affiliate link for PVE or type in TCC10 to save 10% instantly on their service fees!

Overall, PassportVisasExpress provides great value for a competitive price – especially with the discount code TCC10 ! I highly recommend them as one of the best China visa services you can find.

VisaHQ China Visa Service Review

Opened in 2003, VisaHQ has offices located in Washington D.C., New York, Houston, San Francisco, Toronto and London among other cities and countries.

This is typical of most of these best China visa services, although for some companies these “offices” are just leased addresses that are run by one man. That’s not the case with VisaHQ.

What gives me the most confidence about VisaHQ is that they have been ranked in the Inc 500 for the travel industry and continue to climb the chart. They are internationally respected and recognized as a reputable company you can trust.

You can read a more in-depth review of VisaHQ here , but below is a little snippet of what you can expect from VisaHQ:

• Paperless Application : You still have to fill out an application, but like TravelVisaPro, VisaHQ eliminates the hassle of printing the form or trying to work with a PDF by allowing you to do it all online. Simple…done.
• Dedicated Account Manager : If you have any questions during the process, just email or call your account manager. Most other services charge you an extra fee for a dedicated account manager.
• Online Tracking : Gone are the days of sitting and wondering how far along you are in the process. VisaHQ gives you access to online, real-time updates on the application process.

VisaHQ is competitively priced and easy to work with. All in all, I give VisaHQ five stars and confidently recommend it as a reliable option.

TravelVisaPro Review (with Discount Code!)

Over the past decade, TravelVisaPro has become a respected name in the passport and visa service industry.

They are one of the only companies I’ve seen that posts pictures of their staff on the about page so you can see exactly who you’ll be working with.

TravelVisaPro is very open on their website about pricing and options, which is something you usually have to dig through with other companies.

Their website is updated, easy-to-navigate, and includes live chat options. Here’s what makes TravelVisaPro different from other best China visa services:

• 24-Hour Emergency Service : Do you need your passport or China visa in 24-48 hours? This is one of the only services I’ve found that claims to provide 24 hour turnaround, although you’ll have to call the office for a “reservation” to see if its available and you can expect a hefty next day fee.
• Document Authentication Services : This is important if your wife or child will be joining you in another country and will be dependents on your visa. Authenticated marriage certificates and birth certificates are necessary to prove they are legally your wife/child.
• Online & Offline Application : They offer you the option of either filling out your application or downloading and filling it out yourself to mail in. In addition, they have a “VIP” service where they will help you fill in the application ($39), which could save you an hour of time and a bit of headache.
• Various Delivery Options : TVP not only gives you the option to get your visa by mail, you can also pay for them to drop off your new passport or visa (select cities only).
• TravelVisaPro Discount Code: TVP is offering all readers here at TravelChinaCheaper a discount code that will give you 10% off at checkout (you’ll want to find the place on the order form that says “Savings Code”). Just type in TCC15 to save 10% instantly!

I’ve dealt with TravelVisaPro for quite a few years now and they’ve been a reliable company with a solid service.

China Visa Service Center (CVSC) Review

Rated with an A+ by the Better Business Bureau, China Visa Service Center is a company that works exclusively on obtaining China visas. The advantage here, obviously, is that they can focus on doing one thing and doing it right.

Although they started in Houston, they now have offices in D.C., New York, San Francisco, L.A., Chicago and Vancouver.

Their website is pretty simple to navigate but the information is, in my opinion, a bit scattered and difficult to understand at times. That said, here’s what they do offer:

• Competitive Pricing : Both for their regular service and for Emergency, 24-hour service (cheaper than TravelVisaPro above, but not offered for all consulates).
• Toll-Free Phone Support : Toll-free isn’t that big of a deal anymore, but reliable phone support is. If you prefer, just call them and have them walk through what you need.

CVSC is an good service, but I can only offer them a 4-star rating for one reason: security. The page where I input my credit card information, while secure, offers me no assurance by Authorize.net or other company that my information is being transmitted and stored securely.*

Is your information safe? Probably. But I’d rather be 100% sure than 99%. That’s my only complaint.

*A CVSC representative has assured me that credit card transactions are 100% secure and they’ve had zero complaints or security issues since they began accepting cards in 2010.

Final Thoughts | Best China Visa Services

As you can see, while there are hundreds of China visa service companies. However, the companies listed here have been around for around 10+ years each and have served thousands of customers just like you.

My personal recommendation based on experience is PassportVisasExpress since they offer the best combination of service, pricing and support. Best of all, you can get 10% off their fees by using the exclusive promo code TCC10.

I have a number of other resources related to Chinese visas that you might find helpful in addition to this. That includes:

• How to get an Invitation Letter for your China visa ?
• Do you need an itinerary and hotel reservations to get a visa ?
• What about China’s visa-free transit policy ? This policy allows for a stay of up to 144 hours in China without having to apply for a visa. There are tons of restrictions on the policy, however, which is why most people aren’t eligible.

Further Reading & Resources

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About Josh Summers

Josh is the founder of TravelChinaCheaper.com who has been living in China with his family since 2006. Over that period of time he has traveled by plane, train, car, motorcycle and even camel to explore almost every corner of the country.

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Far West China

Best China Visa Service for US Travelers (2024 Updates)

January 11 | No Comments

Applying for a visa to China can be a frustratingly complicated ordeal, especially after the pandemic. My passport currently has over 20 different China visas in it so trust me…I understand! If you’re a U.S. citizen like me, using a Chinese visa service isn’t just a luxury, it’s now become a necessity. Let me share with you what I do and my recommendation for the best China visa service for US citizens .

Since my arrival to China in 2006, I’ve applied for a Chinese work visa, a tourist visa, a student visa and a business visa. I’ve done my fair share of China visa applications!

In the past, I’ve done the process by myself and I’ve also paid to use a 3rd party company. It’s scary to send off your passport to an unknown company, I know! That’s why it’s important to find reliable services based on the experience and recommendation of others.

My Recommendation:

Personally, I use and recommend a trusted China visa service like Passport Visa Express . They’ve processed the China visa for me and many of my family members over the years. You can get 10% off using the code TCC10 from our partner website Travel China Cheaper.

*Note : Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that at no extra charge to you, I might be compensated if you decide to use some of the services described. I don’t recommend anything I haven’t used and if you scroll below you’ll find that I’ve even negotiated an exclusive discount for you. Thanks for your support!

How to Submit a Chinese Visa Application as a US Citizen

It used to be that the Chinese consulate in the United States would allow for visa applications by mail, but that is no longer the case. In fact, once China re-opened visa applications in early 2023, they implemented a new appointment system that creates a new bottleneck to the process.

Even the smallest error in your application can mean that you need to start the whole process over again, and there was a staggeringly high rate of rejections.

For that reason, your China visa application must be submitted in person – either by you or a proxy.

To make matters a bit confusing, however, you can only submit your China visa application to the consulate which serves your particular state in the US. For example, if you live in Utah, China requires you to submit to the Washington DC consulate even though the Los Angeles or San Francisco consulate may be closer.

See this color-coded map to determine which consulate you’re supposed to submit your China visa application based on your state residence:

*Note that the Chinese consulate in Houston was closed in July 2020. All areas under it’s jurisdiction should communicate with the Chinese consulate in Washington DC.

As you look at this map, I’d like for you to consider two reasons why I recommend using Passport Visas Express as the best China visa service instead of doing it yourself:

• Pick up and Drop off in Person : Dropping off your China visa application and picking up your newly issued China visa must be in-person, and the time it takes to finish the process isn’t guaranteed. For this reason, even though I’m from Dallas (4 hours drive from Houston), it would require me to spend two whole days driving…and I can’t know for sure in advance which day I’m going to pick it up!
• Mistakes Happen : Let’s say you drop off your passport with application and the consulate calls you to say that you forgot to fill in one box or sign one piece of paper. You would have to drive all the way back to the consulate to pick it up and make the necessary changes. You may think to yourself, “Nah, I can fill out the form correctly”. I get it. I was the same way until my application was rejected and I had to do the whole process over again. It sucked.

Unless you live right next door to a Chinese consulate, I’ve learned the hard way that the fee for using a service like Passport Visas Express can save you tons of time and money in the long run.

Learn from my mistake : I’ve had my China visa rejected before because of a small typo. It was ridiculous and it was a headache to fix. It was at that point that I swore I would never do the application process again by myself!

Other China Consulate Services

What you may not realize is that you might be using the China consulate in the US for more than a simple China visa.

Perhaps you need a new passport since China requires at least 6 months of validity to issue you a new visa. It’s not too hard to do this yourself at your local authorized passport center (usually a post office), but it can also be handled by a passport and visa service company.

If you’re applying to be a student or for a work visa, China also requires that you submit authenticated documents proving your education, marriage or even your citizenship.

The process of getting a document authenticated includes getting:

• A Letter from the Secretary of State from the state where the document was issued. For example, if you need your diploma authenticated and you went to Texas A&M University, you would need a letter from the Texas Secretary of State declaring that the diploma is real. (and no, I didn’t go to Texas A&M, thank you very much!)
• A Seal from the Chinese Embassy which certifies that the letter from the Secretary of State is authentic. In my experience, this seal is a sticker affixed to the back of the letter from the Secretary of State. It’s important that you do not remove the stapled letter from the original document . Chinese officials won’t accept the authenticated document if the staple has been tampered with.

Trust me when I say that the process is a headache. It’s another reason that I recommend using a service like Passport Visas Express – they can also handle getting your documents authenticated.

Get 10% off using promo code TCC10 from our partner website!

Best China Visa Service for US Citizens in 2024

If it’s not plainly obvious right now, my suggestion is that you consider using a trusted visa service to help you along as you apply for your China visa. Not only will they help make sure that your application doesn’t have any errors, they will also arrange for drop off and pickup from the Chinese embassy if you don’t live near one.

There are numerous services available for US Citizens to use to get a visa to China, but I’ve personally used Passport Visa Express many times over the past decade and I’ve always been happy. Thankfully, they’ve agreed to offer a 10% discount if you use the code TCC10 when you check out!

BONUS: Get 10% off when you use code TCC10

When it comes to the best China visa service for US citizens, that is what I recommend. Applying for a Chinese visa is never cheap, but spending a little extra to get some help is always worthwhile.

• About the Author

About Josh Summers

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If you're planning a trip to China, you may be wondering about the visa requirements. The answer to this question depends on the purpose of your visit. China has specific visa requirements that differ based on your purpose of your visit. To apply for a Chinese visa, you'll need to submit an application form, a valid passport, a recent passport-sized photo, and any supporting documents required for your specific visa type. VisaRite is specialized in China visa handling and can obtain visas on your behalf. You can count on us for our experience, speed and reliability ( read more ).

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If you plan to travel overseas, please make sure you have a valid passport. If you are traveling to a foreign country that may require a visa, please check your passport for blank visa pages and the date of expiry. The passport must have sufficient blank visa pages. Most countries require that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your trip. If you find you will be needing passport services such as applying for a new passport, renewing your old passport, obtaining a secondary passport, please give us a call. We are here to help you to get the passport as quickly as possible.

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Michael Jones, Charlotte, NC

We are very pleased with the speed of processing, the upfront time you spent with us making sure we had all items together prior to mailing the applications to you, and the great Q&A details/downloadable forms on your website. Also, we were happy to be able to speak with a "live" representative each time we called with questions�

Thank you for all your help and great communication.

Don Akers, Sr. Manager - Wireless Connection & Content Team, Lenexa, KS

Your company has made this process very simple and easy. We will be sending our daughter and son's passports to you next month for a Tourist Visa. Having worked with you once and experienced this personal and professional service we will feel very comfortable recommending Visa-Rite Services to our friends and relatives who will be coming to visit us in the future.

Donna Berggren, Kenner, LA

It was a pleasure to do business with you. I would recommend your company to others. Your directions were simple and clear and easy to follow. I especially liked receiving an e-mail updating me on the status of my visa application.

Margaret Doolin, Nicholson, PA

Thank you for making the process of getting a China visa so easy. Your phone and email response was prompt and courteous. I received my passport with the visa one day earlier than I had anticipated. Thank you also for providing a 6-month visa, especially with all of the SARS trouble, this will make for a no hassle trip should my original schedule change.

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Reliable: For over a decade, we have helped thousands of customers with Chinese visas.

High Approval Rate: Over 99% of our customers get their Chinese visas approved before their trip to China Fast Turnaround: From Express 3-day service to Regular turnaround, you will always find something from us to relieve the stress of obtaining Chinese visas before departing to China. Affordable: While others charge for $200.00 per passport for a service fee, we still manage to keep our service fee low. We believe that getting a visa to China should not be a financial burden. Experienced: Staff at China Visa Solutions have been in the business for years, and they know how to handle different cases and situations for China visas on an individual base. Safe: All packages are delivered by FedEx or other carriers with tracking numbers and optional signature confirmation can be required for package deliveries. So your passports with China visa stamps on them are safe and sound.

China Visa Solutions is your expert assistance for your China visa needs. We are here to streamline your visa applications for your trip to China. Not sure which one of the differ ent types of Chinese visas you should apply for? Are changing Chinese visa policies confusing you? We are here to answer your questions and simplify your Chinese visa application process.

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Amazing service. Called me the very next morning after I sent a late night email. Answered every email over the course a week of figuring out the very confusing process. Very quick service, we got 10-yr visas back in about 10 days. Plus it's the cheapest around.

S. M. Beaverton, OR

China Visa Solutions assisted us in obtaining China visas at a short notice. Shawn, the Operations Manager is very well versed in the process of obtaining China visas for his customers. He provided us with very professional and courteous service. He treated us with great respect and dignity. He is very prompt is his communications with his customers and providing clarifications. He guided us at every step during this process. This company's visa processing fees are very reasonable. I would certainly recommend the services of China Visa Solution.

M. M. Chicago, IL

Shawn was great! As the reviews indicate, he was very service oriented. Always picked up the phone, was knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to help me with my particular situation. My visa came the day he said it would. I recommend this company.

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How to Apply for a China Visa — a Step-by-Step Guide

Visa-Free Access to China : If you're from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and Poland, you can visit China visa-free for 15 days until December 31st, 2025. If you're from Singapore, you can relish visa-free access to China for up to 30 days.

If your nationality isn't listed above or if you aim to discover China for more than two weeks, we offer a Port Visa Service for just US$100 per person  once your tour booking is confirmed with us. No stress of embassy visits and visa interviews.

How to Apply for a China Visa

Planning to visit China, but don't know how to apply for a China visa? We're breaking it down for you with our step-by-step guide, follow the steps and get your China visa efficiently.

The visa information we provide is for reference only. We are a travel agency. If you book a trip with us, we can provide you with an invitation letter when applying for a tourist visa.

1. Find out if you need a visa

The first thing is to check whether you need a visa or not. You usually need to apply for a Chinese visa unless you meet one of China's visa-free policies . 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit offer great convenience if you have a layover in China.

2. Find out which visa you need.

There are many types of China visas. Choose a visa type that applies to your situation. If you are planning to go on a vacation in China, apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).

3. Prepare the required documents.

The following list of documents are required for any China visa application:

• A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
• A complete visa application form (The visa application form can be downloaded from the Chinese embassy website or from our website. You complete it by computer, print and sign it. In some countries such as UK you should complete an online form . On the form, you might find an item "Serial number of invitation letter of the authorized organization", you may skip this item if you don't have an invitation letter, or the invitation letter is not of this type.)
• A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48mmx33mm)

Along with the aforementioned generally required documents, several additional documents are required depending upon the type of China visa applied for.

For instance, if you are applying for a tourist L visa , you need to prepare an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation OR an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency. ( An invitation letter could be provided by us without extra charge if a China tour of 3 days or more is booked .)

An invitation letter can replace the air ticket and hotel booking if you are planning to stay with friends or family who live in China and can't provide the hotel confirmation, or if your travel is being organized by a travel agency (or other duly authorized organization) in China . We can provide you with the invitation letter if you book a tour with us.

4. Submit the application.

You may submit the application to the Visa Office at Chinese embassies or consulates, or China Visa Application Service Centers (also called CVASC) if they are operating in your country.

Starting from 2018, visa applicants from more and more countries (including the U.S., the UK, and Canada) have to make their visa application in person and have their fingerprints collected .

The regular service processing time is 4 days, and the rushed service takes about 1 day. The latter is only available in extreme emergencies pending a consular officer's approval.

5. Pay the fee and collect your visa.

Go to the place where you apply for a China visa, pay the fee, and collect your visa.

The fees vary enormously depending on your nationality and number of entries. Here we listed China visa prices for some countries for your reference. It may change based on the updated policies.

The fees shown in the table are only for the cost of visa. If you apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the service fee and tax are required.

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When to Apply for a Visa

It is important to get your visa early, but not too early because it is only valid for 90/180 days for single/double-entry visas from the issue date.

It is usually recommended that you apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel .

Apply for Special Permits, If Necessary.

If you are planning on traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need to get a Tibet Travel Permit from a Chinese travel agency. As a travel agency based in China for more than 20 years, we can help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.

Check the most popular Tibet tours .

Apply for a China Visa in Hong Kong

If you are already in Hong Kong and want to visit the Chinese mainland, it is possible to get a China visa in Hong Kong. Read our step-by-step guide .

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China Highlights is your China tour tailor-making expert. See the recommended tours below for inspiration or check out our ideas and suggestions on How to Plan Your China Tour .

• 8-Day Shanghai - Xian - Beijing Private Tour - China's Ancient and Modern Collision
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Fastest Way to Get Chinese Visa - China Visa Expediting Services & Visa on Arrival

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on July 15, 2024 :

1. Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna and 5 regions in Yunnan Province are applicable to 144-hour visa-free transit policy. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan.

2. Breaking News! a. China will be 15-day visa-free for Australia, New Zealand and Poland from July 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2025. b. 15 days visa free for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg has been extended until December 31, 2025. Read more »

3. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free.

4. China - Georgia Mutual Exemption of Visa, starting from May 28, 2024.

5. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.

6. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.

8. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit."

7. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.

8. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.

9. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.

China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!

Invitation letter is a vital document for Chinese visa application. If you travel with us, we will not only create a valuable tour for you, but also provide you an invitation letter if you request, which will help you obtain your visa successfully. Start customizing your tour in China now!

We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years

Two Ways to Get Chinese Visa Quickly

Want to get a Chinese Visa quickly and not willing to wait? Well, there is always a way out. So far, there are two major options you can choose to obtain a fast China Visa. One is taking advantage of the urgent visa services (including Express Service & Rush Service ) offered by the Chinese Embassies and Consulates before departure. Another one is applying for Chinese Visa upon Arrival in certain cities or through emergency reasons.

The average ordinary application takes about 4 working days, express visa takes usually 2~3 working days and rush service need about 1~2 working days only. So it’s more convenient and faster to use the two expedited visa services than a regular application. Visitors can even apply and get a Chinese Visa in the same day, if use the Same Day Rush Service and apply China Visa on Arrival at special entry ports.

Please note that, the exact Chinese Visa processing time is different in countries and regions around the world. Additional visa expedited fees will be charged accordingly. For special cases, the Chinese Embassies and Consulate reserve the right to investigate for a longer time as stated.

Expedited Chinese Visa: Express and Rush Service

When you want to travel to China urgently, you may apply for the China Visa express service or rush service and pay additional fees. If need, firstly you shall figure out where to submit a China Visa Application ( Where to Apply for Chinese Visa ), a Chinese Embassy and consulate, or a China Visa Application Service Center. Then, check whether the visa expediting services are available or not, because express service is offered in nearly all embassies and visa centers, while the rush service is not wildly provided in embassies. The details below are given to help you get your China visa fast and quickly.

㈠ China Visa Express Service - Get China Visa Fast in 3 Working Days

If all required documents are prepared appropriately, a regular Chinese Visa application normally takes 4 business days to be processed. If you wan to obtain the visa one or two days earlier, you may choose the express service to save time. The processing time depends on cases, that is, applicants can pick up the visa on the 2nd ~ 4th working day .

China Visa Express Service Fees

The Chinese Embassies and Consulates abroad will charge extra stepped-up visa fees at local currency rate. The total cost of a visa to China differs from your nationality, the visa type, where you apply and which service you choose. You only need to pay for the visa fees if submit application directly to the Chinese Embassies and Consulates. If you apply at a visa service center, you have to pay visa fees and service fees both, and courier fee if you request.

Take the visa fee of 6-month Multiple Entry China Visa as example:

Notes: 1.) Visa Fees are tax-exempted and charged by the embassy. 2.) Application service fees are collected by the visa center, and Value Added Tax (VAT) will be levied. 3.) The above fees listed are VAT included. You can check the updated schedules of fees on official websites.

㈡ China Visa Rush Service - Obtain Chinese Visa Tomorrow or The Day After

Visitors who hope to get Chinese Visa as soon as possible may apply for rush service when submitting the application. A typically rush application takes about 1 to 2 working days , so generally applicants can pick up on the 2nd or 3rd working day , few can obtain on the same day once the application is submitted before fixed time. Since rush service is not valid in all countries and only open to specific situations, you’d better check if you can use this kind of service.

China Visa Rush Service Fees

Just like application using express service, rush application also charges more than a regular China Visa application. The rush visa application fee is collected by Chinese Embassies and Consulates, visa center will collect rush servie charges, and the accurate amount vary from countries.

Take 6-month Multiple Entry Chinese Visa as an example:

Tips: If you use the mail-back service at the visa application service, you have to pay extra courier fees for the delivery service.

Top Popuar China Tours:

>> 6 Days Guilin In-depth Tour from Hong Kong

>> 8 Days Best of China Tour

>> 9 Days East China & Yellow Mountain by High Speed Train

>> 10 Days Classic China Family Tour with Panda Fun

China Visa on Arrival: Port Visa & Emergency Visa

For specific situations, visitors can apply for China Port Visa at the port of entry upon arrival. That is, you can get a Chinese Visa in the same day once you meet relevant requirements. Only a few application procedures at the immigration office, you will obtain the arrival visa fast and quickly. There are two major types of China Port Visa based on different inbound cities and reasons.

● China Port Visa to Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Xiamen Special Economic Zones

If you will travel and only stay in Shenzhen , Zhuhai and Xiamen Special Economic Zones, you can apply for the Special Economic Zone Tourism Visa of PRC China at certain ports of entry. The validity period is 5 days for Shenzhen, 3 days for Xiamen and Zhuhai. If you want to travel to other cities, you have to apply and obtain a new Chinese Visa from the local Exit & Entry Administration Office of Public Security Bureau.

● Emergency Visa to China

Foreigners in the 3 particular cases may submit visa application at arrival ports: 1.) invited by the exit & entry units with credit rating level A or B; 2.) high-level talents and investors approved by the official authority; 3.) emergency entry invited by registered sponsor, including humanitarian reasons, urgent entry for business, engineering issues, family matters and so on.

Notes : Individual can apply in the Immigration Office in person. Travel agency should apply on behalf of the the group tourists. The host organization/person can arrange China Port Visa for the applicants before his/her arrival.

Useful Links:

China Visa Free Policy / China 72 Hour Transit Visa Exemption / China 72 Hour Transit Visa Exemption

Most Recommended Shenzhen/Xiamen Tours:

>> 3 Days Classic Shenzhen Tour

>> 4 Days Shenzhen Family Tour with Kids

>> 2 Days Xiamen City Tour with Gulangyu Island

>> 5 Days Xiamen Nanjing Tulou & Wuyi Mountain Discovery Tour

Important FAQS and Tips on China Visa Services

1. Can I Get a Chinese Visa in One Day?

The fastest way to get a Chinese Visa abroad is choosing the Same-day Rush Service , which will be processed within 1 business day. However, the Same (One) Day China Visa service is only valid for direct submission to Chinese Embassy and extreme emergency in very few countries, such as US .

If the Same-day Rush Service is available in your area of US, applicants must submit application before 12:00 pm, pay the visa fees and service charges, and may pick up the visas in the afternoon on the same day.

2. Is China Visa express and rush service provided in UK?

For applicants in UK, you can use the Express Application Service at the China Visa Application Center, which normally allows you collect the visa on the third working day. You have to pay extra express application fee to Chinese Embassy in UK and concurrent express service charge to the visa center.

Currently, rush service is only opened to certain situations . Check with the visa center and embassy if you are in need.

3. Are there special rules about the submission and collection date?

Please bear in mind, the best time to submit application is about 1 month before your departure, if you apply too early, you will waste validity period, and too late can not gurantee you obtain a visa appropriate. And there will be a peak time before and after public holidays.

Also, remember to pick up your visa on time. Otherwise, the obtained visa will become unclaimed if it has not been collected within 90 days after issuing date.

4. Express and Rush service is not provided for postal application.

Since shipping time is not included in the visa processing time, postal applicants in Australia can NOT use Express or Rush Service, for the processing takes at least 10 working days and mailing back needs more days.

5. Other important tips about the quick China Visa processing time.

The above mentioned visa service and processing time is for normal cases and listed for reference only. Under special circumstances, you may wait for longer time because the embassy might request an interview or supplementary documents.

Travel China Worry-free with China Discovery

China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. We not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also can provide Invitation Letter to help you obtain Chinese Visa. If it’s your first time travel to China, Beijing , Shanghai , Xian and Guilin are the top recommended destinations with best representative tourism attractions of. The great cultural, historical, natural landscape will fulfill your dream tour to China. For those who want an in-depth discovery in China, featured China Panda Tour , Ancient Silk Road Tour , High Speed Train Tour , Colorful Ethnic Tour are good ways to find more interesting places and authentic locals.

Most Recommended China Tours:

• ● 6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High Speed Train Tour
• ● 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train
• ● 6 Days Leshan, Mount Emei & Panda Volunteer Tour
• ● 10 Days Classic China Tour from Beijing
• ● 14 Days Shanghai to Yunnan Wild China Expresses Tour
• ● 15 Days Ancient China Silk Road Tour with Bullet Train

If you are interested in China visa-free tour, we could also customize a China Visa-free Tour in Beijing , Shanghai , Xian , Chengdu , Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.

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Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy sacks air force chief; girl among six killed in Russian bomb attack that hit Kharkiv playground

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed the country's air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk after claims an F-16 pilot was killed by friendly fire. Six people have died, including a 14-year-old girl on a playground, in a Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv, officials say.

Friday 30 August 2024 21:50, UK

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• Zelenskyy sacks Ukraine's air force commander
• Decision comes after MP claimed F-16 pilot was killed by friendly fire
• Girl among six killed with dozens injured in strike on Kharkiv
• Russia accused of war crimes over guided bomb attack that hit playground
• Women killed in strike on Sumy region that hit baby food packaging factory
• Putin to visit International Criminal Court member Mongolia
• Analysis: Why Putin's arrest in Mongolia is unlikely
• Battlefield situation: Latest frontlines in maps
• Watch: Who are Ukraine's secret resistance?
• Your questions answered: Strategic consequences for Ukraine if Pokrovsk falls
• Reporting by Bhvishya Patel , and earlier by  Mark Wyatt

We'll be back with more updates and analysis soon, but before we go, here's a recap of the key developments that took place today:

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sacked Ukraine's air force commander, days after a pilot died when an F-16 jet crashed
• Six people have died and at least 55 others hurt following a Russian guided bomb attack on the city of Kharkiv;
• Two women died and 11 people were injured by an attack which struck a factory in Sumy that manufactures packaging for baby food, juices and household products;
• The Kremlin announced that Vladimir Putin plans to visit Mongolia - a member of the International Criminal Court which has an issued an arrest warrant for him;
• The Ukrainian pilot killed when his F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday was shot down by Ukraine's own anti-aircraft missile system, an MP has claimed;
• Mr Zelenskyy said today's attack on Kharkiv could have been avoided if Ukraine had permission to strike Russian military targets with Western weapons;
• The EU rebuffed a request from Kyiv for the bloc to train Ukrainian soldiers inside the war-torn country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the country's air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk.

The sacking was announced on Friday in a presidential decree. 

There was no immediate explanation from Mr Zelenskyy for his decision but it comes days after a Ukrainian pilot was killed when his F-16 jet crashed on Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Mes was killed while defending Ukraine's skies in a Western-donated warplane.

Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuhla has claimed the jet was shot down by the country's own anti-aircraft missile system.

In response to Ms Bezuhla before his sacking, Lieutenant General Oleshchuk said her comments were a "tool to discredit the top military leadership".

"Mariana, the time will come when you will apologise to the entire army for what you have done, I hope in court!", he added.

Six people are now known to have died following the Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv, local authorities have said.

Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said one child was killed in a playground and three people were killed in a 12-storey apartment block that caught fire as a result of the strike.

The Ukrainian authorities did not give the circumstances in which the two other people died in the strikes, which hit four areas of the city. 

As well as those people who died, at least 55 others were injured, officials said. 

About 20 of the injured were in severe condition, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Top Ukrainian officials have begun a visit to Washington, the Ukrainian presidential office has said. 

The delegation includes economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko and defence minister Rustem Umerov.

"We are working in Washington... We are grateful to our partners for their support," the president's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Telegram .

The visit comes amid Volodymyr Zelenskyy's renewed a call on Western allies to allow Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to attack Russian military air bases.

Kyiv says that the most effective way to counter Russian strikes is to target Russian planes, not the bombs themselves.

The US ambassador to Ukraine has called on Russia to be "held accountable for these war crimes" in Kharkiv. 

In a statement on X, Bridget A Brink said "Russia struck an apartment building in Kharkiv with a guided aerial bomb, killing several and injuring many, including children".

Kharkiv has been the focus of heavy Russian bombing throughout the war, although there had been a drop in intensity in recent weeks, possibly related to a surprise invasion launched by Ukrainian forces into Russia's Kursk region.

Ukrainian authorities said today's attack involved five aerial guided bombs launched from planes in Russia's Belgorod region, also known as "glide bombs" which are fitted with a navigation system taking them to their targets.

The footage below shows the aftermath of the attack in Kharkiv.

The EU has rebuffed a request from Kyiv for the bloc to train Ukrainian soldiers inside the war-torn country, but will train them as close as possible to Ukrainian territory, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said. 

The EU has trained some 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers inside the economic union's borders since Russia's invasion of the country and will aim to train 15,000 more by the end of the year, Mr Borrell said.

Kyiv has asked the EU to consider some training inside Ukraine, arguing this would be faster, more cost-effective, and logistically easier than inside the EU.

But multiple EU countries are reluctant to deploy troops inside Ukraine, expressing concerns about their safety and questioning whether such a move would divert Ukrainian forces from their core mission, in order to protect trainers.

Mr Borrell told reporters: "Some member states were ready, others reluctant.

"Finally, we decided that the training will be as close as possible to Ukraine, but not in Ukrainian territory."

Ukraine has urged Mongolia to arrest Vladimir Putin on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant when he visits next week.

The court issued an arrest warrant in March of last year against Mr Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. 

The Kremlin has dismissed the accusation, saying it is politically motivated.

The warrant obliges the court's 124 member states, including Mongolia, to arrest Mr Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory. 

Now, the Ukrainian foreign ministry has called on the ICC to arrest the Russian leader when he visits Mongolia on 3 September. 

"We call on the Mongolian authorities to comply with the mandatory international arrest warrant and transfer Putin to the International Criminal Court in the Hague," the ministry said on Telegram.

Asked earlier today whether Moscow was concerned that Mongolia was a member of the ICC, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "No, no worries about this. We have a great dialogue with our friends from Mongolia."

Asked whether there had been discussions with Mongolian authorities about the ICC warrant, Mr Peskov added: "Obviously the visit, all of the aspects of the visit have been thoroughly discussed."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he held a meeting with the top military commanders of Ukraine this afternoon.

The president said that three key issues were discussed, starting with the situation on the frontlines.

Kursk invasion

Ukraine's top commander says Kyiv's forces have advanced up to 2km in their invasion of Russia's Kursk region.

Oleksandr Syrskyi briefed Mr Zelenskyy via video link and said Ukrainian forces took control of 5sq km of Russian territory. 

Discussions were also had over the next set of reinforcements in the area, which Mr Zelenskyy said was "extremely important for strengthening our positions".

General Syrskyi also briefed the president on the ongoing fighting near Pokrovsk, which Ukraine is trying desperately to hold in the face of advancing Russian troops.

Preparing for new academic year

The meeting also covered how Ukraine will deal with the new academic year for schoolchildren, which starts next week.

Mr Zelenskyy heard reports from Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, internal affairs minister Ihor Klymenko and education and science minister Oksen Lisovyi.

The president said discussions covered security issues, as well as the construction of bomb shelters.

Energy problems

The third key issue addressed was the current state of Ukraine's energy grid following a week of heavy Russian strikes.

Mr Zelenskyy heard analysis of energy issues, including the potential construction of protective structures around key energy infrastructure.

Images are emerging of the aftermath of today's attack on Kharkiv.

Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, but thousands have been killed and wounded in its strikes during its invasion.

The scenes come as Volodymyr Zelenskyy renews a call on Western allies to allow long-range attacks on Russian military air bases after the attack.

The number of people killed in a Russian strike on Kharkiv has risen to five.

Meanwhile, 40 people have been injured after the Russian missile hit a residential building and playground, according to the regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Earlier, we reported that a 14-year-old girl was among the dead.

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