Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese government has been adjusting the visa policy following the development of the pandemic. This Notice is to introduce the current visa policy and the application procedures. If you need to apply for a visa to China from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, please follow the instructions:
I. Visa applications shall be made according to consular jurisdiction. The consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General includes Southern California (Los Angeles/Orange/San Diego/Riverside/San Bernardino/Ventura/Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo/Kern/Imperial), Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, Guam, CNMI, American Samoa.
II. Procedure of application
1. Applicants who meet the condition listed in “III. Visa categories and supporting documents”, can upload the proof of residence and supporting documents for preliminary review electronically via the online appointment system (please click the link to visit the system).
2. If approved, the applicant will be informed by the Consulate via email with detailed instructions.
3. The applicant shall mail in all documents as instructed in the email, including a valid passport, supporting documents and a USPS Priority Mail Express return envelope in the following format:
Applicant's name, telephone and email Visa Application Applicant's address Appointment No. XXXXXXXX
Passport and Visa Office Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, 443 Shatto Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90020 |
4. The duration of processing will vary depending on the individual circumstance of each application. All documents will be mailed back to the applicant in the return envelope.
III. Visa categories and supporting documents（Please provide a copy of the requested document. If it states as "original and copy", please provide the original document and one copy together）
Visa Categories | Description | Supporting Documents (For other required documents, the applicant will be guided by the staff by email)) |
M | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and economicactivities. |
Invitation Letter by the company/institute in China (For certain application cases, PU/TE Letter is required. The staff will guide the applicant by email.) |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for technical, cultural or educational activities. |
Invitation Letter by the company/institute in China (For certain application cases, PU/TE Letter is required. The staff will guide the applicant by email.) |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China. | Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in the PRC or Original PRC Foreigner’s Work Permit Card. |
S1 | Issued to family members of Z /X1 visa or work/study category residence permit holder, who plan to stay in China for more than 180 days. *Family members include: spouses, parents, children under the age of 18, parents of the spouse. | ①Both original and photocopy of Kinship certificate(e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate,notarized certificate of kinship, household register) ②A signed invitation letter from Z-Visa holder ③A photocopy of the passport of the inviting individual and valid Work Permit, valid work category residence permit, work permit card, Z-Visa, X1-Visa, study category residence permit |
S2 | Issued to family members of Z/M/F/X1 visa, or work/study category residence permit holder, who plan to stay in China . *Family members include: spouses, parents, children under the age of 18, parents of the spouses.
| ①A photocopy of Kinship certificate(e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, notarized certificate of kinship, household register) ②A signed invitation letter from Z/M/F Visa holder ③A photocopy of the passport of the inviting individual and valid Work Permit, valid work category residence permit, work permit card, study category residence permit, or Z/M/F/X1 Visa |
Q1 | Issued to family members of Chinese citizens,or family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permit, who plan to stay in China more than 180 days. *Family members include: spouses, parents,parents-in-law, children, spouses of children, brothers and sisters,grandparents and grandchildren. | ①Both original and photocopy of Kinship certificate(e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, notarized certificate of kinship, household register) ②A signed invitation letter from the Chinese citizen or the foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China ③A photocopy of I.D. card of the Chinese citizen or foreigner’s passport information page plus the Chinese permanent residence permit |
Q2 | Issued to family members of Chinese citizens or family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permit, who plan to stay in China less than 180 days. *Family members include:spouses, parents,parents-in-law, children, spouses of children, brothers and sisters,grandparents and grandchildren. | ①A signed invitation letter from the Chinese citizen or the foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China ②A photocopy of I.D. card of the Chinese citizen, or foreigner’s passport information page plus the Chinese permanent residence permit |
R | Issued to those who are high-level talents | Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents *For Spouses and children under the age of 18, please submit proof of relationship (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) and apply for S2Visa. |
C | Issued to crew members | A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China |
Diplomatic /Official/ Courtesy | Issued to those who hold diplomatic or official passport, and plan to visitChina for official purpose. | Diplomatic Note from U.S. State Department, or the Embassy or Consulate General of the applicant’s country in U.S.A. |
| X1 | Students for long-term diploma education | Both original and copy of the following documents: ①Visa Application for Study in China(JW201/JW202Form) ②Letter of Admission(for new students) ③Consent Letter for School Return(for enrolled students) |
*Application of a visa for emergency humanitarian matters (e.g. visiting a direct family member in critical condition or attending a funeral of a direct family member), the ID of the patient or the deceased, a death certificate or a certificate of diagnosis/critical illness notice issued by a hospital, proof of kinship, etc. shall be submitted.
IIII. Other issues for attention
1. At present, the order of Temporary Suspension of Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Visas or Residence Permits is still in effect. Foreign nationals holding valid Chinese visas, residence permits (permits for work, personal matters, reunion and study are excluded) are temporary suspended of entry into China.
2. Effective from September 28, 2020, foreign nationals, who possess valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters, reunion and journalist, are allowed to enter China without a visas if the purpose of visit has not changed. Foreign national with Chinese permanent residence card can visit China without a visa.
Effective from August 24, 2022(Beijing Time), foreign national, who possess valid Chinese residence permit for study or valid APEC Business Travel Card（not including VIRTUAL ABTC(APEC BUSINEESS TRAVEL CARD)） can enter China without a visa.
3. Please do not make travel arrangements before you receive your visa.
