How Long Does It Take To Get A Chinese Visa: Processing Time
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ll visitors holding ordinary passports must get a valid visa to enter and visit China unless they meet the relevant visa-free / visa exemption policy. At present, foreigners must submit a China Visa Application before departure, and some foreigners can apply for a Chinese Visa upon arrival according to China Port Visa regulations.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, applicants can get a Chinese Visa after 1 to 4 working days, even on the same day of your submission. The exact processing time depends on which service you choose. Here are several different case scenarios which can help you understand Chinese Visa processing time.
REGULAR CHINA VISA APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME
Applicants should prepare a valid passport with a validity of at least six months, a completed China Visa Application Form with an attached photo, and other supporting documents. You can apply directly to Chinese Embassies and Consulates in person or through a recognized China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). It takes four business days for a regular visa application to be processed (excluding shipping and returning delivery times). Typically, you can pick up your passport and China Visa (if approved) on the 4th to 5th working day after submission.
Your China Visa Application may need a longer time for processing in these situations:
– The Chinese Embassy and Consulate Officer request for supplementary materials or an interview and other occasions;
– Application by mail (applies to Australians) takes about ten working days;
– If you use the mail-back service at CVASC, your visa will need several more days.
EXPEDITED CHINESE VISA PROCESSING TIME: Express and Rush Services
Besides regular service, applicants may use express service or rush service to speed up the visa application processing time. If you are in an emergency or want to get a Chinese Visa fast, you can choose such urgent services with additional fees (including visa fees by embassy & service charges by CVASC). Please note that rush application service is available in some countries, only for extreme emergencies approved by the Chinese Consular Office.
Express Service: 2 to 3 working days
Visa is ready on the 3rd or 4th working day.
Rush Service: 1 working day.
Visa is ready on the same day or the next working day.
US passport holders can obtain the Same Day China Visa in the afternoon if they submit an application to the Visa Section of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate before noon and get approved successfully. Other nationals using rush service may pick up their passports on the 2nd working day.
The fast service does NOT apply to China Visa Applications by mail. Hong Kong Visa and Macau Visa Application are up to local immigration departments.
