As of September 1, 2007, the Chinese government has switched to a single visa form that renders all previous versions void. If you are going through an agency to obtain your visa for China, be sure that they use the updated visa form, or the application will be returned. The new visa form is available on the website for the Chinese Embassy to the United States. From there, you can download a PDF version of the form for printing, or fill it in using a PDF reader/writer.
On the Chinese visa application form, you will be asked for a variety of information about yourself. The form requires you to enter personal identification details, earliest and latest possible dates of entry into and departure from China and the cities and provinces you plan to visit. You will be required to submit a photo and provide information about your health history and criminal record. To complete the Chinese visa application form, you must also have a witness provide contact information and a signature.
The China visa form allows you to apply for several types of visas. You may choose a single entry visa, which is valid for 3 months, a double entry visa, which is valid for 6 months or a multiple entry visa that is valid for 6 or 12 months. If you require an expedited visa, you can request express processing (two or three days) or rush processing (one day). Standard visa processing should take four working days.
Visa application forms for visits to China must be completed before you enter the country, but they need not be completed in your home country. Many visitors to China apply for visas while visiting Hong Kong, which is a Special Administrative Region of China but does not require a visa.You may apply for a visa directly through the Chinese government, or by using a visa processing service.
Begin your visa application process for China as far in advance as possible. Although the Chinese government makes an effort to process visa forms expediently, they are limited in their capacity. To avoid delays or cancellations in your travel plans, obtain and submit the visa forms and fees as soon as you know your dates of travel. If you plan to visit China during a festival or holiday, allow even more time for processing.
