China Visa for California Residents (2026)
Californians are split between two Chinese consulates, and which one handles your visa depends on where in the state you live. Either way, you don't travel there — we handle the submission for you, by mail.
Two consulates: San Francisco vs. Los Angeles
China routes every application by your home address, and California is the one state divided between two posts:
Northern California → San Francisco. The Bay Area, Sacramento, and the northern counties go to the Chinese Consulate-General in San Francisco.
Southern California → Los Angeles. LA, San Diego, Orange County, and the southern counties go to the Chinese Consulate-General in Los Angeles.
Get the split wrong and your application bounces — the most common California mistake. Tell us your city and we'll route it correctly: San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and Sacramento to the north; Los Angeles, San Diego, Long Beach, Anaheim, and Bakersfield to the south.
No trip to the consulate required
Neither consulate takes mailed applications from individuals or walk-ins without an appointment. That's the whole reason we're here. You mail us your passport, we coordinate the in-person submission and the trip back where available, and you stay home in California.
How it works
Complete the intake form at chinavisa.getmypassports.com — pick your service and pay.
Ship us your passport with the prepaid FedEx label we send you after reviewing your form.
We submit it in person at the consulate — they don't accept mailed applications, so that's the part you're hiring us for.
Your passport comes home — tracked FedEx back to your door once the authorities finish their decision.
The Chinese government makes the approval call and sets the timeline — we just make sure your paperwork shows up right the first time.
2026 is a good year to go
Two things are working in your favor: China cut the visa fee to $140 and dropped fingerprinting for most short-term visits (tourist, business, family) — both in place through December 31, 2026. For most California travelers, that's a simpler, cheaper application than it's been in years.
Simple pricing
Full Service — $499. Consulate fee included, your COVA application completed for you, photo editing, in-person drop-off and pick-up at the consulate, and FedEx Express shipping both ways.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up — $399. Consulate fee included, in-person drop-off and pick-up at the consulate, and FedEx Express shipping both ways (you complete the application).
Application Assistance Only — $199. We help you prepare your own application correctly.
Want the numbers first? See our full China visa cost breakdown for 2026 — the flat
Simple pricing
Full Service — $499. Consulate fee included, your COVA application completed for you, photo editing, in-person drop-off and pick-up at the consulate, and FedEx Express shipping both ways.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up — $399. Consulate fee included, in-person drop-off and pick-up at the consulate, and FedEx Express shipping both ways (you complete the application).
Application Assistance Only — $199. We help you prepare your own application correctly.
40 consulate fee plus exactly what each service tier includes.
Get My Passports is a private company that provides passport and visa application assistance and courier coordination where available. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Government authorities make all approval decisions and control official processing times. Our service fees are separate from government fees.
Also served by the San Francisco and Los Angeles consulates
The San Francisco and Los Angeles consulates also handles China visa applications from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento. New to the process? Start with our China visa requirements guide. Browse every location in our China visa directory by state and city. For pricing and to get started, see our China visa service.
Ready to start your China visa?
Complete the quick intake form at chinavisa.getmypassports.com and choose your service. We'll review it and send you a prepaid FedEx label to ship us your passport — then we submit it in person at the consulate (they don't accept mailed applications — that's what you're hiring us for).
FAQ
Which Chinese consulate handles California residents?
I'm not sure if I count as Northern or Southern California.
How much is the China visa fee in 2026?
