Horario (CT):

Lun–Vie: 8:30–5:00 • Sáb: 10:00–2:00 (solo con cita previa)

Horario (CT):

Calificado 4.9 (198) en Google

Locked Out of Your China Visa Application on COVA? How to Free Your Passport (2026)

Only one China visa application is allowed per passport — so if you lose access to your COVA account, your passport can get stuck. Here is why it happens and how we get the application cancelled so you can reapply.

Share on

Man wearing white top using MacBook, on an article about getting locked out of a China visa COVA application

Getting a China visa comes down to two big steps — and most of the trouble we see happens at the first one, before anyone ever gets near a consulate. Here's how the two steps work, why people get stuck at step one, and the one lockout scenario that can quietly trap your passport.

The two steps to a China visa

Complete the China Online Visa Application (COVA). You fill out your application on the COVA system and get the status to read "passport to be submitted."
Submit your passport to the consulate. Only once step one shows passport to be submitted can the passport go in for in-person submission at the consulate that serves your state.

Step two is the part everyone pictures. But plenty of applicants never make it past step one.

Why people get stuck at step one

A few things commonly stall an application before it can be submitted:

Missing or inconsistent information that has to be corrected before COVA will let the application move forward.
A passport that's out of validity (or too close to expiring), which stops the process cold.
Losing access to the COVA account you created — the one people overlook, and the hardest to fix.

The rule most people don't know: one application per passport

Here's what catches people off guard: COVA is built around a single active application per passport. When you create an account and start an application against your passport, that account becomes the only way back into that application — your passport is effectively tied to it.

So if you can't get back into the account, you can't simply start over. The existing application is still holding your passport.

The worst case: locked out of your own COVA account

The situation we've watched trap people: they lose access to the COVA account they set up and can't get back in. Even after account-recovery attempts, sometimes there's just no way back into the original application — and because of the one-application-per-passport rule, that passport can't be used for a new application while the old one is still open.

It's a frustrating spot: the application is stuck, and so is the passport.

How we free a stuck passport

When an account truly can't be recovered, the path that's worked for us is going straight to the consulate with a formal cancellation request — a letter asking them to cancel the stuck application. In our experience, that has released the passport so a fresh application can be started.

It isn't a one-click fix and the outcome is the consulate's call, but it's a route most applicants don't know exists — and one we've navigated before.

Stuck at step one right now?

If your China visa application is stuck — missing information, a passport-validity problem, or a COVA account you can't get back into — this is exactly the kind of situation to call us about rather than fill out a form. Every locked-out case is a little different, and it's far faster to talk it through than to guess.

Call us at (708) 360-7277 and we'll figure out the quickest way to free your passport and get your application moving again. If you're just starting out, our China visa COVA guide walks through step one, and you can see all China visa options by state.

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 can't guarantee a cancellation or any particular outcome — those decisions rest with the consulate. The above reflects our own experience and procedures can change at any time.

Related China visa guides

Prefer not to deal with it?

We’ll submit it in person for you.

You mail us your passport. We handle the consulate submission and ship it back tracked.

Start my visa Call (708) 360-7277

Real people in Chicago · Mon–Fri 8:30–5

Prefer not to deal with it?

We’ll submit it in person for you.

You mail us your passport. We handle the consulate submission and ship it back tracked.

Start my visa Call (708) 360-7277

Real people in Chicago · Mon–Fri 8:30–5

At a glance

Google rating5★ · 250+ reviews

CoverageAll 50 states

Our service feeFrom $199

Preguntas Frecuentes

Can I have more than one China visa application per passport?

What happens if I am locked out of my COVA account?

What is the difference between the COVA application and submitting to the consulate?

Blogs Relacionados

Person using MacBook Pro, on an article about what a China visa’s COVA “preliminary review” status means

1 oct 2025

Actualización del sistema de Solicitud de Visa en Línea de China (COVA)

El sistema de solicitud de visa COVA de China se actualizó, lo que hace que el proceso sea más ágil para viajeros y agentes de visa, con menos errores, formularios más claros y tiempos de respuesta más rápidos.

27 ago 2025

¿Puede Reservar un Vuelo Internacional con un Pasaporte Vencido?

Puede reservar un vuelo con un pasaporte vencido, pero no puede viajar. Aprenda cómo renovarlo rápidamente con ayuda experta en Chicago y evite retrasos en su viaje.

27 ago 2025

Cómo Afectan los Cierres del Gobierno al Procesamiento Acelerado de Pasaportes

Aprenda cómo un cierre del gobierno aceleró los servicios de pasaportes y qué pasos puede tomar para evitar retrasos en sus planes de viaje.

1 oct 2025

Actualización del sistema de Solicitud de Visa en Línea de China (COVA)

27 ago 2025

¿Puede Reservar un Vuelo Internacional con un Pasaporte Vencido?

Puede reservar un vuelo con un pasaporte vencido, pero no puede viajar. Aprenda cómo renovarlo rápidamente con ayuda experta en Chicago y evite retrasos en su viaje.

Lo que dicen los clientes después de que se ha completado

Amy Patterson

The members of Get My Passports helped me through the trial of getting a Visa to China when I was about to give up.

Jul 15, 2026Verified

RT Jefferson

Get My Passports did what they said they would - exceptionally quick way to get your passport renewed!! Great Job!!

Jul 12, 2026Verified

Maama Bangura

Customer service is courteous. Processing a passport is much better than with other embassies I have dealt with, from filling out the application form to the delivery of our passports. I highly recommend them.

Jul 8, 2026Verified

Brittany Bell

The entire process took under a week and the Get My Passports team did an excellent job of keeping me updated on the status at every stage.

Jul 7, 2026Verified

SU Pen

I used Get My Passports to get our China Visa. They were very professional, and answered all our questions in a timely manner. The whole process took less than a month. I would definitely use their services again in the future

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Tony Valderrama

I highly recommend "Get My Passports". They are professional and excellent in keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I received my passport as promised. Actually earlier! Great Job!

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Saraswathy Gurunathan

Great service. Kept us updated on every status change.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Heather Mansfield

Smooth process, no problems, good communications, speedy return.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Granny

Shelby was great! She walked me through the process for the Visa I needed. I was kept informed when my passport was received. Everything came back to me within two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Twister Wilson

Thank you for the quick reply and outstanding handle of my China Visa. A very quick processing time and great handling in two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Baffour Asabere

One of the best in the best industry. Fast, communicative and friendly staff. Highly recommended!

Jun 30, 2026Verified

Lorenzo Johnson

They were the best! They kept me updated on each step. I highly recommend them!!! Thank you.

Jun 29, 2026Verified

Saraswathy Gurunathan

Great service. Kept us updated on every status change.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Heather Mansfield

Smooth process, no problems, good communications, speedy return.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Granny

Shelby was great! She walked me through the process for the Visa I needed. I was kept informed when my passport was received. Everything came back to me within two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Twister Wilson

Thank you for the quick reply and outstanding handle of my China Visa. A very quick processing time and great handling in two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Baffour Asabere

One of the best in the best industry. Fast, communicative and friendly staff. Highly recommended!

Jun 30, 2026Verified

Lorenzo Johnson

They were the best! They kept me updated on each step. I highly recommend them!!! Thank you.

Jun 29, 2026Verified

Amy Patterson

The members of Get My Passports helped me through the trial of getting a Visa to China when I was about to give up.

Jul 15, 2026Verified

RT Jefferson

Get My Passports did what they said they would - exceptionally quick way to get your passport renewed!! Great Job!!

Jul 12, 2026Verified

Maama Bangura

Jul 8, 2026Verified

Brittany Bell

The entire process took under a week and the Get My Passports team did an excellent job of keeping me updated on the status at every stage.

Jul 7, 2026Verified

SU Pen

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Tony Valderrama

I highly recommend "Get My Passports". They are professional and excellent in keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I received my passport as promised. Actually earlier! Great Job!

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Lo que dicen los clientes después de que se ha completado

Amy Patterson

The members of Get My Passports helped me through the trial of getting a Visa to China when I was about to give up.

Jul 15, 2026Verified

RT Jefferson

Get My Passports did what they said they would - exceptionally quick way to get your passport renewed!! Great Job!!

Jul 12, 2026Verified

Maama Bangura

Jul 8, 2026Verified

Brittany Bell

The entire process took under a week and the Get My Passports team did an excellent job of keeping me updated on the status at every stage.

Jul 7, 2026Verified

SU Pen

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Tony Valderrama

I highly recommend "Get My Passports". They are professional and excellent in keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I received my passport as promised. Actually earlier! Great Job!

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Saraswathy Gurunathan

Great service. Kept us updated on every status change.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Heather Mansfield

Smooth process, no problems, good communications, speedy return.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Granny

Shelby was great! She walked me through the process for the Visa I needed. I was kept informed when my passport was received. Everything came back to me within two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Twister Wilson

Thank you for the quick reply and outstanding handle of my China Visa. A very quick processing time and great handling in two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Baffour Asabere

One of the best in the best industry. Fast, communicative and friendly staff. Highly recommended!

Jun 30, 2026Verified

Lorenzo Johnson

They were the best! They kept me updated on each step. I highly recommend them!!! Thank you.

Jun 29, 2026Verified

Saraswathy Gurunathan

Great service. Kept us updated on every status change.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Heather Mansfield

Smooth process, no problems, good communications, speedy return.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Granny

Shelby was great! She walked me through the process for the Visa I needed. I was kept informed when my passport was received. Everything came back to me within two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Twister Wilson

Thank you for the quick reply and outstanding handle of my China Visa. A very quick processing time and great handling in two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Baffour Asabere

One of the best in the best industry. Fast, communicative and friendly staff. Highly recommended!

Jun 30, 2026Verified

Lorenzo Johnson

They were the best! They kept me updated on each step. I highly recommend them!!! Thank you.

Jun 29, 2026Verified

Amy Patterson

The members of Get My Passports helped me through the trial of getting a Visa to China when I was about to give up.

Jul 15, 2026Verified

RT Jefferson

Get My Passports did what they said they would - exceptionally quick way to get your passport renewed!! Great Job!!

Jul 12, 2026Verified

Maama Bangura

Jul 8, 2026Verified

Brittany Bell

The entire process took under a week and the Get My Passports team did an excellent job of keeping me updated on the status at every stage.

Jul 7, 2026Verified

SU Pen

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Tony Valderrama

I highly recommend "Get My Passports". They are professional and excellent in keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I received my passport as promised. Actually earlier! Great Job!

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Lo que dicen los clientes después de que se ha completado

Amy Patterson

The members of Get My Passports helped me through the trial of getting a Visa to China when I was about to give up.

Jul 15, 2026Verified

RT Jefferson

Get My Passports did what they said they would - exceptionally quick way to get your passport renewed!! Great Job!!

Jul 12, 2026Verified

Maama Bangura

Jul 8, 2026Verified

Brittany Bell

The entire process took under a week and the Get My Passports team did an excellent job of keeping me updated on the status at every stage.

Jul 7, 2026Verified

SU Pen

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Tony Valderrama

I highly recommend "Get My Passports". They are professional and excellent in keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I received my passport as promised. Actually earlier! Great Job!

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Saraswathy Gurunathan

Great service. Kept us updated on every status change.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Heather Mansfield

Smooth process, no problems, good communications, speedy return.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Granny

Shelby was great! She walked me through the process for the Visa I needed. I was kept informed when my passport was received. Everything came back to me within two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Twister Wilson

Thank you for the quick reply and outstanding handle of my China Visa. A very quick processing time and great handling in two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Baffour Asabere

One of the best in the best industry. Fast, communicative and friendly staff. Highly recommended!

Jun 30, 2026Verified

Lorenzo Johnson

They were the best! They kept me updated on each step. I highly recommend them!!! Thank you.

Jun 29, 2026Verified

Saraswathy Gurunathan

Great service. Kept us updated on every status change.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Heather Mansfield

Smooth process, no problems, good communications, speedy return.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Granny

Shelby was great! She walked me through the process for the Visa I needed. I was kept informed when my passport was received. Everything came back to me within two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Twister Wilson

Thank you for the quick reply and outstanding handle of my China Visa. A very quick processing time and great handling in two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Baffour Asabere

One of the best in the best industry. Fast, communicative and friendly staff. Highly recommended!

Jun 30, 2026Verified

Lorenzo Johnson

They were the best! They kept me updated on each step. I highly recommend them!!! Thank you.

Jun 29, 2026Verified

Amy Patterson

The members of Get My Passports helped me through the trial of getting a Visa to China when I was about to give up.

Jul 15, 2026Verified

RT Jefferson

Get My Passports did what they said they would - exceptionally quick way to get your passport renewed!! Great Job!!

Jul 12, 2026Verified

Maama Bangura

Jul 8, 2026Verified

Brittany Bell

The entire process took under a week and the Get My Passports team did an excellent job of keeping me updated on the status at every stage.

Jul 7, 2026Verified

SU Pen

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Tony Valderrama

I highly recommend "Get My Passports". They are professional and excellent in keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I received my passport as promised. Actually earlier! Great Job!

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Lo que dicen los clientes después de que se ha completado

Amy Patterson

The members of Get My Passports helped me through the trial of getting a Visa to China when I was about to give up.

Jul 15, 2026Verified

RT Jefferson

Get My Passports did what they said they would - exceptionally quick way to get your passport renewed!! Great Job!!

Jul 12, 2026Verified

Maama Bangura

Jul 8, 2026Verified

Brittany Bell

The entire process took under a week and the Get My Passports team did an excellent job of keeping me updated on the status at every stage.

Jul 7, 2026Verified

SU Pen

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Tony Valderrama

I highly recommend "Get My Passports". They are professional and excellent in keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I received my passport as promised. Actually earlier! Great Job!

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Saraswathy Gurunathan

Great service. Kept us updated on every status change.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Heather Mansfield

Smooth process, no problems, good communications, speedy return.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Granny

Shelby was great! She walked me through the process for the Visa I needed. I was kept informed when my passport was received. Everything came back to me within two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Twister Wilson

Thank you for the quick reply and outstanding handle of my China Visa. A very quick processing time and great handling in two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Baffour Asabere

One of the best in the best industry. Fast, communicative and friendly staff. Highly recommended!

Jun 30, 2026Verified

Lorenzo Johnson

They were the best! They kept me updated on each step. I highly recommend them!!! Thank you.

Jun 29, 2026Verified

Saraswathy Gurunathan

Great service. Kept us updated on every status change.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Heather Mansfield

Smooth process, no problems, good communications, speedy return.

Jul 2, 2026Verified

Granny

Shelby was great! She walked me through the process for the Visa I needed. I was kept informed when my passport was received. Everything came back to me within two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Twister Wilson

Thank you for the quick reply and outstanding handle of my China Visa. A very quick processing time and great handling in two weeks.

Jul 1, 2026Verified

Baffour Asabere

One of the best in the best industry. Fast, communicative and friendly staff. Highly recommended!

Jun 30, 2026Verified

Lorenzo Johnson

They were the best! They kept me updated on each step. I highly recommend them!!! Thank you.

Jun 29, 2026Verified

Amy Patterson

The members of Get My Passports helped me through the trial of getting a Visa to China when I was about to give up.

Jul 15, 2026Verified

RT Jefferson

Get My Passports did what they said they would - exceptionally quick way to get your passport renewed!! Great Job!!

Jul 12, 2026Verified

Maama Bangura

Jul 8, 2026Verified

Brittany Bell

The entire process took under a week and the Get My Passports team did an excellent job of keeping me updated on the status at every stage.

Jul 7, 2026Verified

SU Pen

Jul 6, 2026Verified

Tony Valderrama

I highly recommend "Get My Passports". They are professional and excellent in keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I received my passport as promised. Actually earlier! Great Job!

Jul 6, 2026Verified