Be sure that your passport is current and has at least six months remaining validity and one blank visa page.
Complete the Visa Application Form Q1. You can download the form and print it from the Chinese Embassy website. You will also need one standard passport photo, which can be black and white or color.
Submit the application and visa fee in person. You must go to the visa office of the embassy or general consulate in the area in which you live. The People's Republic of China has one embassy in Washington D.C., as well as five general consulate offices. These offices are located in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston.
Send someone else to submit the application on your behalf. If you cannot come to one of the offices, you can entrust a travel or visa agent to file the application for you. Mailed applications are not accepted.
Wait for processing of your Chinese Tourist Visa. Normal processing time is four working days. You can pay extra to have the processing time expedited.
Travel to China. Chinese Tourist Visas are valid for 90 or 180 days, meaning you must arrive within China 90 or 180 days from the date of issue. The visas are issued for stays up to 30 days in length.
