Chinese Visas

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Chinese Visas

In order to travel to China and complete your adoption, you must get a Chinese visa. This allows you to travel to China and spend several weeks there. It's a good idea to apply for these visas several months before your expected travel date. You don't want to run into delays!!!! You must already have a valid passport to apply for a visa.

You can apply for a visa through any Chinese consulate in the USA, regardless of where you live. You must use a courier to carry your passport and visa applications into the consulate of your choice. Go to my page on the Chinese consulates to see a list of the couriers for the different consulates.

Below you can see a very interesting diagram of a Chinese visa. Your visa must be valid at the time of your trip to China. When applying for a visa, it's best to apply for the 12 month multi-entry visa since it is the same price as a 3 month or 6 month visa. That way you are covered in the case of any delays or unforeseen problems that cause you to delay your trip. alt text

Your agency should provide you with instructions on how to fill out the visa application. Also, the courier that you decide to use should also have detailed instructions for you.

Visa Information

Fees
One Chinese visa is $140. You will need a visa for each person traveling with you except your newly adopted child. Your newly adopted child will receive a USA visa during your trip.
A 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month visa are ALL the same price. So it makes sense to apply for the 12 month visa.

You'll also need to pay the courier for their services. Most couriers charge around $30-$40 per visa, and will usually offer discounts for adoptive families who need more than two visas processed at the consulate.

Mailing Your Passports
When you send your original passports, visa applications, and fees to the courier, send it through a secure trackable method. The last thing you want is to have to deal with a lost/stolen passport!!!
You don't want it to be obvious that you are mailing a passport. Choose a padded envelope or package that hides the shape of the passports.

If You're Out of Visa Pages
If you are out of visa pages in your passport, you need to purchase new ones.

Click here

It's best NOT to wait until the last minute to apply for your visas! Most adoptive families apply for their visas sometime after they receive their LOA (Letter of Acceptance, or Letter Seeking Confirmation).

Visa Application Change

***NOTE***

For all those families getting ready to apply for their Chinese visas, please be aware that as of June 30, 2011, the old visa form will no longer be accepted. On January 1, 2011 a new visa application form was adopted. This form must be used from now on.

New China Visa Application Information

Please see your agency or courier for detailed instructions on how to fill out this new form. I cannot give advice on how to do this since I haven't worked with this form.

Chinese Visas

Visa Information

Visa Application Change

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