Quick answer: If you live in Illinois, your China visa application is handled by the Chinese Consulate-General in Chicago — China assigns every application by your home address, and the consulate doesn't accept mailed-in individual applications. You complete the COVA form online, then the passport must be submitted in person. We coordinate that in-person submission for you, from a $199 service fee.
Planning a China trip from Illinois? You don't have to travel far to get your visa sorted — and if you're near Chicago, you don't have to mail anything at all. Your application goes to the Chinese Consulate-General in Chicago, and we handle it for you.
Don't want to deal with the consulate yourself? our China visa application service — we complete your application, submit it in person, and ship your passport back.
Which Chinese consulate covers Illinois?
China routes every application by your home state. Illinois falls under the Chinese Consulate-General in Chicago, which also covers much of the Midwest. Your address sets the jurisdiction — the wrong one means a bounced application and a lost week. We know it cold: Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Springfield, Rockford, and everywhere between.
Not sure who to trust with your passport? Here’s how to choose the best China visa service in the USA — what to compare, and what the service fees actually cover.
Chicago-area? Drop off in person
We're based in the Chicago area, so Illinois residents get an option most states don't: drop your passport with us in person instead of mailing it. Either way, we coordinate the consulate submission so it's done right the first time.
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 Illinois travelers, that's a simpler, cheaper application than it's been in years.
Simple pricing
Full-Service — $299 service fee. We complete your COVA application, edit your photo to spec, and handle in-person submission and pickup at the consulate. Add the $140 government fee and $60 FedEx both ways — $499 total, all-in.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up — $199 service fee. You complete the application; we handle in-person drop-off and pickup. With the $140 government fee and $60 round-trip FedEx — $399 total.
Application Assistance Only — $199 flat. We help you prepare your own application correctly; you submit it yourself and pay the consulate fee directly.
When you compare services, compare service fees — most expediters advertise theirs before adding the government fee, and shipping is extra. Our totals include FedEx both ways, handled by us.
Want the numbers first? See our full China visa cost breakdown for 2026 — the flat $140 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 Chicago consulate
The Chicago consulate also handles China visa applications from Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota. 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).
Related China visa guides