en | $ USD
Help

Explore

Settings

Select Your Language

Select Your Currency

  • AED United Arab Emirates Dirham
  • AFN Afghan Afghani
  • ALL Albanian Lek
  • AMD Armenian Dram
  • ANG Netherlands Antillean Guilder
  • AOA Angolan Kwanza
  • ARS Argentine Peso
  • AUD Australian Dollar
  • AWG Aruban Florin
  • AZN Azerbaijani Manat
  • BAM Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
  • BBD Barbadian Dollar
  • BDT Bangladeshi Taka
  • BGN Bulgarian Lev
  • BIF Burundian Franc
  • BMD Bermudan Dollar
  • BND Brunei Dollar
  • BOB Bolivian Boliviano
  • BRL Brazilian Real
  • BSD Bahamian Dollar
  • BWP Botswanan Pula
  • BZD Belize Dollar
  • CAD Canadian Dollar
  • CDF Congolese Franc
  • CHF Swiss Franc
  • CLP Chilean Peso
  • CNY Chinese Yuan
  • COP Colombian Peso
  • CRC Costa Rican Colón
  • CVE Cape Verdean Escudo
  • CZK Czech Republic Koruna
  • DJF Djiboutian Franc
  • DKK Danish Krone
  • DOP Dominican Peso
  • DZD Algerian Dinar
  • EGP Egyptian Pound
  • ETB Ethiopian Birr
  • EUR Euro
  • FJD Fijian Dollar
  • FKP Falkland Islands Pound
  • GBP British Pound Sterling
  • GEL Georgian Lari
  • GIP Gibraltar Pound
  • GMD Gambian Dalasi
  • GNF Guinean Franc
  • GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal
  • GYD Guyanaese Dollar
  • HKD Hong Kong Dollar
  • HNL Honduran Lempira
  • HTG Haitian Gourde
  • HUF Hungarian Forint
  • IDR Indonesian Rupiah
  • ILS Israeli New Sheqel
  • INR Indian Rupee
  • ISK Icelandic Króna
  • JMD Jamaican Dollar
  • JPY Japanese Yen
  • KES Kenyan Shilling
  • KGS Kyrgystani Som
  • KHR Cambodian Riel
  • KMF Comorian Franc
  • KRW South Korean Won
  • KYD Cayman Islands Dollar
  • KZT Kazakhstani Tenge
  • LAK Laotian Kip
  • LBP Lebanese Pound
  • LKR Sri Lankan Rupee
  • LRD Liberian Dollar
  • LSL Lesotho Loti
  • MAD Moroccan Dirham
  • MDL Moldovan Leu
  • MGA Malagasy Ariary
  • MKD Macedonian Denar
  • MNT Mongolian Tugrik
  • MOP Macanese Pataca
  • MUR Mauritian Rupee
  • MVR Maldivian Rufiyaa
  • MWK Malawian Kwacha
  • MXN Mexican Peso
  • MYR Malaysian Ringgit
  • MZN Mozambican Metical
  • NAD Namibian Dollar
  • NGN Nigerian Naira
  • NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba
  • NOK Norwegian Krone
  • NPR Nepalese Rupee
  • NZD New Zealand Dollar
  • OMR Omani Rial
  • PAB Panamanian Balboa
  • PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol
  • PGK Papua New Guinean Kina
  • PHP Philippine Peso
  • PKR Pakistani Rupee
  • PLN Polish Zloty
  • PYG Paraguayan Guarani
  • QAR Qatari Rial
  • RON Romanian Leu
  • RSD Serbian Dinar
  • RUB Russian Ruble
  • RWF Rwandan Franc
  • SAR Saudi Riyal
  • SBD Solomon Islands Dollar
  • SCR Seychellois Rupee
  • SEK Swedish Krona
  • SGD Singapore Dollar
  • SHP Saint Helena Pound
  • SLL Sierra Leonean Leone
  • SOS Somali Shilling
  • SRD Surinamese Dollar
  • SVC Salvadoran Colón
  • SZL Swazi Lilangeni
  • THB Thai Baht
  • TJS Tajikistani Somoni
  • TOP Tongan Pa anga
  • TRY Turkish Lira
  • TTD Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
  • TWD New Taiwan Dollar
  • TZS Tanzanian Shilling
  • UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia
  • UGX Ugandan Shilling
  • USD United States Dollar
  • UYU Uruguayan Peso
  • UZS Uzbekistan Som
  • VND Vietnamese Dong
  • VUV Vanuatu Vatu
  • WST Samoan Tala
  • XAF CFA Franc BEAC
  • XCD East Caribbean Dollar
  • XOF CFA Franc BCEAO
  • XPF CFP Franc
  • YER Yemeni Rial
  • ZAR South African Rand
  • ZMW Zambian Kwacha
iVisa Mobile App Online global travel documents
How to apply for a China Tourist Visa as a US citizen
iVisa
4 min read
Updated on Dec 11, 2024
Summary
  • US citizens need a China Tourist Visa for leisure or sightseeing, which doesn’t cover visits to Hong Kong or Tibet
  • Apply online through the COVA website but submit documents and complete the process at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General
  • Required documents include a valid US passport, a completed visa form, proof of US residence, and prior Chinese visa records if applicable
  • The visa can be valid for 3 months to 10 years, with options for single, double, or multiple entries depending on your travel plans

If you’re planning to visit China as a US citizen, an important step of your travel preparations includes securing a China Tourist Visa.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: We’re not currently offering services to apply for China Tourist or Business Visas. If you have an outstanding order with us we will continue processing it as usual.

Do US citizens need a visa for China?

Yes, US citizens must get a China Tourist Visa to enter the country for tourism purposes.

The China Tourist Visa (L Visa) can be issued for single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry, depending on your travel needs. This visa doesn’t permit visiting Hong Kong and Tibet . You’ll need separate travel authorizations for these destinations.

If your main goal is to conduct business or pursue academic interests, you should apply for a business or student visa instead. For more information, visit the website of the Chinese Embassy in the United States.

china night shangai

Did you know? Linking your international credit card to WeChat Pay or Alipay can make paying in China so much easier, but finding the option isn’t always straightforward. Switch your app to English and look for the "Tourist Pay" feature—it’s tucked away in a submenu.

Am I eligible for a China Tourist Visa as a US citizen?

To apply for a China Tourist Visa as a US citizen, you must meet these criteria:

  • Purpose of visit: The L Visa is intended for leisure and tourism. You’ll need to prove that your visit is for sightseeing or visiting friends and family and not for business purposes.

  • Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from China and should have two blank pages for visa stamps.

China Tourist Visa requirements for US citizens

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Valid US passport: It must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay and have at least two blank pages.

  • Photocopy of passport bio-data page

  • Completed COVA visa form

  • Photocopy of last Chinese visa or residence permit: This only applies if you have previously traveled to China or used to live there.

  • Proof of US residence: This can be in the form of a driver’s license, utility bill, or a bank statement.

  • Where You Stay Form: This shows your residential information in the US.

The Chinese embassy in Washington announced in December 2023 that Americans no longer need to submit proof of a round-trip flight booking, hotel reservation, itinerary, or letter of invitation to get a China Tourist Visa.

The requirements for US children are similar, but if only one parent is traveling, you will also need a birth certificate and parental consent.

How long is the China Tourist Visa valid for US citizens?

The China Tourist Visa comes in several options:

  • Single-entry visa: Valid for 3 months, with a stay period of 30 to 90 days.

  • Double-entry visa: Valid for 3 to 6 months, allowing two entries.

  • Multiple-entry visa: Grants multiple entries over a period of 6 months to 10 years, depending on your travel history and the consular officer's decision.

The final decision on the duration of your visa and the number of entries lies with the immigration officer who will process your application.

How to apply for a China Tourist Visa from the US

Here's a simple guide on how to apply for a China Tourist Visa from the US:

  1. Go to the China Online Visa Application (COVA) website to complete the visa application form online. Make sure you select the correct Embassy or Consulate-General that is in charge of your jurisdiction. Print it out and sign the confirmation page.

  2. Gather the required documents. You can get an updated checklist from the China Embassy in the US website.

  3. Submit your printed and signed application form along with the required documents at the Embassy or Consulate-General you indicated in your application.

  4. Wait for a notification to pick up your passport.

  5. Pay the visa fees when picking up your passport.

iVisa travel tip: The air quality in China can vary a lot, so having the AirVisual app is a smart move. It gives you real-time updates on PM2.5 levels, so you’ll know when it’s time to grab an N95 mask, especially for extended outdoor activities.

China Tourist Visa processing time for US citizens

The China Tourist Visa processing time is 4 business days. However, the process may take longer during peak travel seasons or holidays due to higher demand. Applying well before your travel dates is advisable to avoid any potential delays.

What is the best country to travel to after China?

If you’re thinking of visiting another country after China, Nepal is a really good option.

There are daily flights from many cities in China to Nepal, including Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou, Xi'an, and Hong Kong. The flight takes 1.5 to 5 hours, depending on your departure location.

US citizens can apply for a Nepal Visa on Arrival online before landing in the country. When you get to Tribhuvan International Airport, pay the visa fees and then present the receipt, a printed copy of the tourist visa application form, and your passport to an immigration officer.

Important Update: We are not currently offering services to apply for the China Tourist or Business visas. If you have an outstanding order with us we will continue processing it as usual.
Chat on WhatsApp
Intercom Chat