Quick answer: U.S. citizens usually receive a 10-year, multiple-entry China visa by default — including first-time travelers — and it costs the same $140 as a single-entry visa. You do not request it as an upgrade; it is the standard issuance under the reciprocal U.S.–China arrangement. The consulate makes the final decision, and your passport's expiry date is the one thing that can shorten it.
Here's one of the best-kept secrets in China travel: as a U.S. citizen, the visa you're most likely to receive is a 10-year, multiple-entry visa — good for a decade, with unlimited trips, at the same price as a single-entry. Most people don't have to do anything special to get it. Here's how the 10-year China visa works, what it costs, and the one thing that can shorten it.
Applying for yours? You can have your China visa submitted in person — we review the application, submit it at your consulate, and ship your passport back.
U.S. citizens get the 10-year visa by default
Under the reciprocal visa arrangement between the United States and China, tourist (L) visa applications from U.S. citizens default to the 10-year multiple-entry version — even for first-time travelers with a clean, complete application. You don't request it as an upgrade; it's the standard issuance. The consulate always makes the final decision, but the 10-year visa is what most U.S. applicants receive.
Because the 10-year visa is the one most U.S. applicants end up with, getting the application right the first time matters. Here’s how to compare China visa services in the USA if you want help with it.
What "10-year multiple-entry" actually means
Three things:
Visiting family or a host rather than touring? You’ll likely need a China visa invitation letter with your application — see what it has to contain and grab a free template.
Valid for 10 years from the date it's issued.
Unlimited entries — come and go as often as you like, with no reapplying for each trip.
Up to 60 days per visit. If you need longer on a single trip, you can usually apply to extend by up to 30 days at the local Public Security Bureau after you arrive.
For anyone who travels to China more than once a decade — business, family, or tourism — it turns the visa from a per-trip chore into a one-time errand.
What a 10-year China visa costs
Here's the part that surprises people: a 10-year multiple-entry visa costs the same as a single-entry. The government visa fee for U.S. citizens is $140, regardless of how long the visa is valid or how many entries it allows. There's no surcharge for the longer validity — which is exactly why it's the one to get. Our service fee is $199 (Courier Only) or $299 (Full Service); with the $140 consulate fee and FedEx both ways added, your total is $399 / $499 all-in.
Which visas can be 10 years
The 10-year multiple-entry option most commonly applies to tourist (L) and business (M) visas for U.S. citizens. Some family-visit (Q2) visas can also be issued with long validity. Work (Z) and student (X) visas follow different rules tied to your job or program, so they are not part of the 10-year tourist and business track.
The one thing that can shorten it: your passport
A visa can't outlast the passport it's placed in. If your passport is close to expiring, the consulate may issue a visa with shorter validity to match — so you could pay for the application and not get the full 10 years. If your passport has only a year or two left, it's worth renewing it first, then applying, so your 10-year visa actually runs a full decade. You'll also need at least one blank visa page.
Fingerprints and bookings: simpler in 2026
Two recent changes make 2026 an easy year to apply:
Fingerprinting is waived for most short-term visitor visas through December 31, 2026.
Flight and hotel bookings are no longer required for tourist applications (since January 2024) — a real simplification.
Both reduce the paperwork and friction compared to a few years ago.
How to apply
The process is the same two steps as any China visa: you complete the online COVA application, then your passport is submitted in person at the Chinese consulate that serves your state — mainland China does not accept mailed applications from individuals. That's the part we handle for you.
Start your China visa application, see what a China visa costs, or read our COVA application guide.
Get My Passports is a private company that provides China visa application assistance. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency, and we cannot guarantee the validity, number of entries, or approval of any visa — those are decided solely by the Chinese consulate. Fees and rules reflect 2026 and can change; confirm the current requirements before you apply.
