China Visa Through the San Francisco Consulate: Agencies, Fees, and Process (2026)
Use the official China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in San Francisco. Private agencies like VisaHQ or CIBT charge $50–$200 extra and cannot bypass the in-person fingerprint step, which is mandatory for all applicants except those under 14 or over 70.
Standard US fees, in effect through 31 December 2026: $140 for a single-entry visa, $68 for the typical 10-year multi-entry, plus a CVASC service fee of about $33 for standard handling or $75 for expedited 2–3 day service. Express turnaround adds $25 directly to the visa fee. Most US tourists receive multi-entry visas, so realistic out-of-pocket runs $101 standard or roughly $250+ when using a third-party agency.
Apply only if you fall under San Francisco jurisdiction: Northern California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Alaska. Washington State falls under the Seattle consulate; submitting to SF triggers an immediate rejection.
Fill the COVA online form at the consulate's site, print the confirmation, and book the in-person CVASC appointment. Bring your original passport with 6 months validity, one 2x2 inch color photo on white background, the printed confirmation, and proof of travel. Standard processing takes 4 business days.
For visa-free-eligible nationals such as UK, EU, and Australia (through 31 December 2026), skip the consulate entirely. US passports are not yet on that list.
- Apply through the official CVASC SF — private agencies cannot bypass the mandatory in-person fingerprint step required for ages 14–70.
- US single-entry costs $140 plus a $33 CVASC service fee; the typical 10-year multi-entry runs $68 through 31 December 2026.
- Confirm SF jurisdiction: Northern California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Alaska — Washington State applies through the Seattle consulate instead.
- Standard processing takes 4 business days; expedited 2–3 day service costs an extra $25 in fees plus a $75 CVASC charge.
- Use the COVA online form before the appointment; bring the original passport, a 2x2 white-background photo, and printed confirmation.
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