China Visa Cost for US Citizens (2026)

A China visa has two separate costs, and it helps to see them apart:

1. The government consulate fee — set by the Chinese authorities, the same no matter who files it.

2. A service fee — optional; what you pay a private service like us to prepare the application and handle the in-person consulate submission for you.

Here's what each runs in 2026.

The consulate fee

For U.S. citizens, the Chinese consulate charges a flat $140 for a tourist (L) visa — and here's the part that surprises people: it's the same price whether you get a single-entry visa or the 10-year multiple-entry visa. The U.S. and China set visa fees on a reciprocal basis, so American applicants pay one flat rate regardless of validity or number of entries.

That fee goes to the authorities, not to us — it's the same $140 whether you apply yourself or use a service.

Consulate fees are set by the Chinese government and can change; we confirm the current amount on every order.

Our service pricing

You don't have to use a service at all — you can file your own China visa. But because the consulate doesn't accept mailed applications and won't see you without an appointment in your jurisdiction, most travelers outside a consulate city hire us to handle the in-person part. Our pricing is flat and itemized:

• Full Service — $499. We complete your COVA application, edit your photo to spec, submit in person at your consulate, and ship your passport both ways by FedEx Express. The consulate fee is included.

• Drop-Off & Pick-Up — $399. You complete the application; we handle the in-person drop-off and pick-up at the consulate plus FedEx Express both ways. Consulate fee included.

• Application Assistance Only — $199. We help you prepare your own application correctly so it isn't rejected — you file it yourself.

No surprise add-ons. Our service fees are separate from the government fee, and the authorities — not us — control approvals and processing times.

Why some services cost more

Many expediters advertise a low headline number, then stack the consulate fee, "processing," and shipping on top — you don't see the real total until checkout. We show the full picture up front. For most travelers the honest comparison is DIY ($140 consulate fee plus your own time and a consulate trip you may not be able to make) versus Full Service at $499 all-in with no trip required.

Wait — do you even need a China visa?

Probably yes. U.S. citizens are not on China's visa-free list — for normal tourism or business, you need a visa. The one exception is the 240-hour (10-day) transit exemption, and it's narrow: it applies only if you're transiting to a third country through an eligible port and staying within permitted areas. If that's not your trip, you need a visa. (More in our 240-hour transit guide.)

Ready to start?

Complete the intake form and pick your service — we'll review it and send a prepaid FedEx label to ship us your passport. For an overview of everything we handle, see our China visa service.

Get My Passports is a private company providing passport and visa application assistance and courier coordination where available. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Government authorities set all fees, make all approval decisions, and control official processing times. Our service fees are separate from government fees.