Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application (Updated September, 2025)
The new China Online Visa Application System (the New COVA System, click to redirect) has officially launched at the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago on September 30, 2025. The following application requirements apply to visa application using the new COVA System. Click this link for guidelines.
If you submitted your application through the former COVA System (click to redirect), please refer to this page for application requirements.
I. Process of Visa Application
The consular jurisdiction of the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago includes: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
Please confirm that the applicant lives in the above-mentioned states before submitting the visa application.
1. Visa applicants need to log on to the New COVA System (click to redirect) to fill in the forms and upload materials for preliminary review.
2. After the application form showing “Passport to be submitted”status, visa applicant or agent should submit passport, application info-page with barcode and other original documents as required to the Visa Office within the office hours.
3.Important Tips for online COVA visa form filling
Please visit http://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ and click the [Guidance on Visa Application] to review.
II.Visa Types and Required Documents
Visa Type | Visa Description | Required Documents (include“A.Basic Documents” and “B.General Documents” Please note that text in black indicates documents that need to be uploaded online. Text in red indicates documents that require to be presented as originals when submit on-site to the Visa Office. | |
A. Basic Documents | B. General Documents | ||
L | Issued to those who intend to go to China for tourism
| N/A Starting from January 1, 2024, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States simplify application documents required for tourist visa (L-visa). Tourist visa applicants within the United States will no longer be required to submit round-trip air ticket booking record, proof of hotel reservation, itinerary or invitation letter. Since visa applications are processed on a case-by-case basis, please refer to the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States for specifics. | Documents to be uploaded online: 1. Passport bio-page, blank visa page(Passport remaining validity must be more than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages) 2. Visa Application Statement handwritten signature required) 3. The latest Chinese visa or the Chinese residence permit 4. The Proof of Residence (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill, bank bill) 5. .If the applicant is a foreigner in the US, they need to upload a photocopy of green card, visa, I20, or I94 to prove their legal residence in the US. 6. If the applicant was of Chinese nationality, this application is the first Chinese visa application after naturalization in a foreign country, please upload the bio-page of the Chinese passport and naturalization certificate. 7. If the applicant's name has been changed, and it is the first time to apply for a Chinese visa after the name change, please upload the name change document. 8. For the visa application by a minor of Chinese origin born in the US, please follow
Documents to be submitted on-site as originals: 1. Passport original used for visa application 2. Application info-page showing “Passport to be submitted”status and the barcode of the application form 3. Old passport containing previous Chinese visa or residence permit which is still within validity 4. If the applicant was of Chinese nationality, the latest Chinese passport is required for submission. 5.For Q1 or S1 visa application, the original certification showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual is required for verification. 6.Other original documents that the consular officials asked to be submitted on-site. |
M
| Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities | Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) | |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities | An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China (Please refer to Annex 2 for the contents of the invitation letter) | |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China | Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners | |
S1 | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. | 1. An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) (Please refer to Annex 1 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2. Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page and residence permit
3.Original of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual. (Please upload the photocopy of certification online)
*In case of other personal affairs, relevant supporting materials shall be provided upon request | |
S2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
"family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | 1.An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) (Please refer to Annex 1 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2.Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page, residence permit or visa.
3.Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.
*In case of other personal affairs, relevant supporting materials shall be provided upon request. | |
Q1
| Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | 1.An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. (Please refer to Annex 1 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2.Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual; Or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner’s passport and the permanent residence permit (front and back).
3.Original of certification (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.(Please upload the photocopy of certification online) | |
Q2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. | 1.An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China; (Please refer to Annex 1 for the contents of the invitation letter)
2.Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual; or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner’s passport and the permanent residence permit (front and back). | |
R | Issued to High-level talents | Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents | |
C | Issued to Crew member | Guarantee Letter from the transport company | |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. | 1.Foreign higher education institution students: China
2.Foreign elementary, junior/senior high school students: Confirmation Form for Elementary Stage Students Study in China
(For foreign elementary, junior/senior high school students who reside in China for family reunion purpose, application for X1 visa is not compulsory.) | |
X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. | 1.Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China. 2.Information Form for Foreign Students' Short-term Visit (Form DQ, if have) | |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. | Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Status | |
G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region. | |
J1/J2 visa should refer to the requirements of the competent authority | |||
Annex 1 Contents of S1, S2, Q1, Q2 Visa Invitation Letter
The inviting person’s name XX, gender X, date of birth: XX, Chinese ID number XXX (or foreign passport number XX, Chinese permanent residence card number XX), current address in China is XX, contact phone number XX, email XX.
I hereby invite the following relatives to visit China for a short-term visit/long-term residence. He/She plans to go to China on XX, and stay in China for XX days.
The invited person’s information: name XX, gender X, date of birth XX, nationality XX, passport number XX, and the relative relationship with the inviting person is XX.
The inviting person signature: Date:
Annex 2 Contents of M，F and L Visa Invitation Letter
1. Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
2. Information about the invited person’s visit to China: reason for coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting unit or person, who will pay for the travel, etc.
3. Inviting party’s information: name, address, telephone number, official seal, legal representative and signature, date, etc. (the information must be included in the text of the invitation letter)
III. Processing Time and Fees
Regular service: 4 business days
Express service: 3 business days (urgent situation)
Pleasenote: The above processing time is average and for reference only and is calculated from the date of
passport submission. Some applications may require longer processing time that a pick-up date cannot be confirmed
until notified by the Visa Office.
The pick-up form issued by the staff of the Embassy will indicate the earliest estimated date for pick-up. Please check your online application status on or after that date. When the status shows “Passport to be collected”(click to redirect), you may come to the visa office for pickup.
Please make sure that all the information on the visa is correct when picking up. If there is any inaccuracy, please tell the staff immediately in case inconvenience brought by the incorrect information. Credit card (Master or Visa card only), money order or cashier's check are accepted for on-site pick-up.
For visa processing fees, please click here.
IV. Address and Contact Information of the Visa office
Address of the Visa Office :1 East Erie Street, Suite 500，Chicago, IL 60611
Office Hours:
9:30-14:30 (Monday to Friday, closed on weekends and holidays)
Email address: chicago@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Phone number:1-312-453-0210（9:30-12:00，13:30-15:00，Monday to Friday, except holidays）
Please follow the instruction of the staff upon entry to the Visa Office.