China tourist visa requirements: a checklist for applicants in the US

Since January 1, 2024, tourist (L) visa applicants in the United States no longer need to submit round-trip flight bookings, hotel reservations, an itinerary or an invitation letter. The Embassy’s September 2025 requirements still include this simplification, verified on October 1, 2026. Applications remain case-specific, so follow any additional instructions from your consular office.

1. Choose the consular office responsible for your US residence, then complete the online visa application in Chinese or English. Check that names, passport number and travel details agree with your documents.
2. Check that your passport has more than six months of validity remaining and at least two blank visa pages. Prepare images of the biographical page and a blank visa page for upload.
3. Upload your photo in the application system and follow its checks. The Embassy’s online guide says to bring a standard ID photo when submitting your passport if the photo repeatedly fails the system check.

• Proof of your US residence, such as a driver’s license, utility bill or bank statement.
• Your latest Chinese visa or Chinese residence permit, if applicable.
• For non-US citizens applying in the US, proof of lawful US residence: the Embassy lists a green card, visa, I-20 or I-94 copy. Check the documents requested for your circumstances.
• If you previously held Chinese nationality and are applying for your first Chinese visa after naturalization, your former Chinese passport’s biographical page and naturalization certificate.
• If your name has changed and this is your first Chinese visa application since the change, the name-change document.
• Check all upload and declaration instructions in the online system, including the Visa Application Statement described in the Embassy’s online guide. For US-born minors of Chinese origin, consult the consular office’s separate guidance rather than treating this general checklist as complete.

1. Submit the online application and check for requests to correct it or upload more documents. Online preliminary review approval does not guarantee visa issuance.
2. When the status reads ‘Passport to be submitted’, print the application information page showing that status and the application barcode. This is the current information page to prepare for submission; do not rely on an old confirmation-page checklist.
3. Prepare the original passport used in the application. If an old passport contains a still-valid Chinese visa or residence permit, prepare that old passport too. Former Chinese nationals must also submit their latest Chinese passport, as required by the Embassy’s guidance.
4. Check for any other originals requested by the consular office before the applicant or agent takes the documents to the visa office.

• Check that uploaded images are readable and include the full document page.
• Check that the printed information page has the correct barcode and current submission status.
• Check that name differences and applicable previous-passport documents are accounted for.
• Confirm the receiving instructions for your current CEV order before mailing originals.

CEV’s form review and photo processing services can help you prepare your application materials. CEV (China Entry Visa) is an independent service provider; the responsible embassy or consulate decides document requirements and visa issuance.

• Form review
• Photo processing