| There are two ways to get express China visa | | | | The Chinese consulate services require that |
| service. Either you apply in person or you find | | | | applicants either appear in person or send their |
| someone who can submit the application for you. | | | | application with someone who is authorized to |
| Either way, you can have your China visa | | | | represent them. This can be a family member, |
| application processed as quickly as the same day | | | | friend, travel agent or private visa expediter. |
| if you submit the required documents and pay | | | | Travel agents usually charge an extra fee for this |
| the appropriate fees. | | | | service as do visa expediters. The amount of the |
| There are several types of China travel visas and | | | | fee depends on how quickly you want your China |
| each one has specific requirements. However, | | | | visa application to be processed. It can be as little |
| they all have the following three requirements in | | | | as $39 or as much as $169 for same day |
| common: a completed visa application form, a | | | | expediting service. |
| valid United States passport with at least six | | | | If you need to request express China visa |
| months of validity remaining after the intended | | | | service, it usually means that you are pressed for |
| date of your arrival to China, and one | | | | time. While personally submitting the visa |
| passport-style photo that is 2X2 inches in size. | | | | application could save you some money, it is not |
| The three Chinese visa requirements listed above | | | | always possible in such situations, especially if you |
| are all that is needed to obtain a Chinese tourist | | | | live far from any Chinese consulate. Besides the |
| visa. For a business visa, applicants also need to | | | | consulate section of the Chinese embassy in DC, |
| submit a Visa Notification issued by an authorized | | | | there are Chinese consulates located in Los |
| Chinese unit, a business letter describing the | | | | Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York and |
| nature of your business and duration of stay, and | | | | Chicago. |
| a letter of invitation from a Chinese company | | | | One option is to see if you can get a connecting |
| addressed to the Chinese embassy and written | | | | flight through one of the cities where a Chinese |
| on official company letterhead. Applicants for a | | | | consulate is located. You can then request a |
| crew visa must submit a copy of their Crew | | | | one-day layover which would allow you the |
| Member Badge ID and a flight or vessel crew visa | | | | necessary time to personally submit the |
| cover letter issued by the airline or shipping | | | | applications. Of course, you would have to make |
| company in addition to the three basic | | | | sure that the layover did not fall on a weekend or |
| requirements. | | | | a holiday for which the consulate would be closed. |
| The visa fee for United States citizens is $130. It | | | | However, if you think attempting to squeeze in |
| can be paid by credit card, money order, cashier's | | | | this process in a one-day layover is too big a risk |
| check, company check or cash. Personal checks | | | | and you do not have a relative or friend who can |
| are not accepted. Regular processing time is 4 | | | | do it for you, then a private visa expediter may |
| business days. For an additional fee of $20, you | | | | be your best option. While there is the |
| can have your China visa application processed in | | | | disadvantage of the additional fee, there is the |
| 2-3 business days. And you can have the | | | | advantage of having an experienced professional |
| application processed in only 1 business day if you | | | | submit your application and free you up to spend |
| pay an extra $30. You can even receive your | | | | your time making other preparations. And when |
| visa on the same day if the application is | | | | you are in a hurry, time is one of your most |
| submitted before 12:30 p.m. | | | | valuable assets. |