Get a valid passport first. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your airline tickets say you will be leaving China. The Chinese government will not issue you a visa if your passport expires before then. Your passport must also have at least 1 completely blank page for the Chinese visa. The Chinese government will not stamp a visa on a page with anything else written on it.
Log on to the Chinese Embassy website and download the visa application form. We provide a link to the website below. Fill out the application completely. Include all of your personal information, reason for visit, itinerary and where you will be staying. If you are staying with Chinese citizens, they are required to write a letter stating that you are their guest. Include this with your application. You must also designate the length of the visit and number of entries into the country that you are requesting. Sign the form at the bottom.
Include a copy of your round-trip airline tickets, your hotel reservations, and a passport-sized picture with your Chinese visa application. Also include a $130 Chinese visa fee (as of 2009). A 2- to 3-day express service is $20 extra. One day rush service is $30 extra. All payments must be with a major credit card, cash, money order or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted.
Add a copy of an Alien Employment License or Foreign Experts Work Permit if you want a work visa. Add an original visa notification issued by an authorized Chinese unit if you want a business visa. If you only want a tourist visa, you don't need to add anything else.
Mail the Chinese visa application package to the address on the application form by registered mail or through a courier service. Typical processing time is 4 days once the package arrives. If you can wait, this is the best way to obtain a Chinese visa. If you are in a hurry, you can apply in person at a Chinese embassy or consulate and pay for express or rush service. Visa services will do this for you for an additional fee.
