China Visa for US citizens
United States citizens are not on China's 30-day visa-free list. They can use the 240-hour visa-free transit when travelling on to a third country, and otherwise apply for a visa; a 10-year multiple-entry visa is available for a flat 140 US dollars.
Key facts
When a visa is needed
- Any visit that is not a transit to a third country or region
- Stays longer than 240 hours, or outside the transit scheme's 24 regions
- Work, study, journalism and family reunion
Where to apply
- Chinese Visa Application Service Centers or consulates in Washington DC, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, by consular district of residence
- COVA online form first, then an appointment; fingerprints at submission for applicants aged 14 to 70
The reciprocal flat fee of 140 US dollars applies to all visa types regardless of entries or validity; the CVASC service fee and any courier fee come on top. See fees and how to apply.
Also relevant
- Digital Arrival Card — required for every entry, free.
- 240-hour visa-free transit — for stopovers on the way to a third country.
- Visa types — for work, study and longer stays.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- China Visa-Free Travel — A Complete Guide — China Briefing (Dezan Shira & Associates) (retrieved 6 September 2026)
- China Extends 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy — National Immigration Administration (retrieved 6 September 2026)
- Visa fees for United States citizens — Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States (retrieved 6 September 2026)
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