US citizens pay US$140 for a Chinese visa at US consulates under the reduced rates that run to 31 December 2026, whatever the number of entries. Other nationalities applying in the US pay US$23 for a single entry. Express service adds US$25 per visa. Canadian citizens pay CAD 75 at the Toronto consulate.
LiveEntry rules change. See the visa-free entry rules, checked 9 November 2026 →
What do US consulates charge?
The Chinese Embassy in Washington and the consulates in New York, Chicago and San Francisco publish fee notices. The reduced fees run until 31 December 2026 on the Washington, New York and San Francisco pages. Chicago’s page gives no end date. The New York and Chicago pages list the same US$140 for every entry type for US citizens; the Washington and San Francisco tables are not clear on double and multiple entry for US citizens.
| Applicant | Fee at US consulates | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US citizen, any entry type | US$140 | New York and Chicago pages |
| Other nationality, single entry | US$23 | All four pages |
| Other nationality, double entry | US$34 | All four pages |
| Other nationality, multiple entry up to 6 months | US$45 | All four pages |
| Other nationality, multiple entry 12 months or more | US$68 | All four pages |
| J1 and J2 visas | US$171 | Washington, Chicago, San Francisco |
The pages say fees for certain nationalities differ under reciprocal agreements, so ask the consulate if your passport is not one of the common ones. These are fees charged by US consulates, so they apply to people who apply in the US.
How long does it take and how do you apply in the US?
The New York page gives average processing times of 4 business days for regular service, 2 to 3 for express and 1 for rush service, which is only for extreme emergencies and needs approval. Express adds US$25 and rush adds US$37 per visa. Chicago lists 4 days regular and 3 days express.
Both pages say you submit in person or through an agent, with no mail-in, online or fax applications, and that a consular officer may require an interview. The pages say no appointment is needed to apply or collect. Treat the times as averages, since both pages say some applications take longer.
What does it cost in Canada?
The Toronto page gives these fees for 11 December 2023 to 31 December 2026, in Canadian dollars per person.
| Applicant | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Canadian citizens, any entry type | 75 |
| US citizens | 190 |
| Other countries, single entry | 40 |
| Other countries, double entry | 60 |
| Other countries, multiple entry 6 months | 75 |
| Other countries, multiple entry 1 year | 110 |
| Express (extra) | 35 |
| Urgent (extra) | 50 |
The Toronto page also says the Visa Application Service Center charges a service fee, and does not state the amount. Processing is 4 working days regular, 3 express and 2 urgent, counted from successful submission, and not guaranteed.
For a tourist (L) visa, the page asks for an itinerary with round-trip tickets and hotel reservation, or an invitation letter from an entity or individual in China, plus a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages. You apply online first, then submit documents and fingerprints at the centre. Short-term visa applicants are exempt from fingerprints from 18 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.
Do you need a visa at all?
Not always. UK and Canadian ordinary-passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, and travellers from 57 countries, including the US, can use 240-hour visa-free transit with an onward ticket. See our entry-rules guides before you pay for a visa.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Chinese visa for US citizens?
US$140 at the New York and Chicago consulates for any entry type. The reduced rates run to 31 December 2026 on the New York, Washington and San Francisco pages.
How much is a Chinese visa for other nationalities in the US?
US$23 single entry, US$34 double, US$45 multiple up to 6 months and US$68 multiple for 12 months or more, with variations for some nationalities.
How much does express service cost?
US$25 extra per visa at the US consulates we read. New York also lists a US$37 rush charge. In Toronto express adds CAD 35 and urgent adds CAD 50.
How long does a Chinese visa take?
On average 4 business days regular and 2 to 3 express at New York, and 4 working days regular, 3 express and 2 urgent at Toronto. Both say times are not guaranteed.
Can I apply for a Chinese visa by mail?
The New York and Chicago pages say no: you submit in person or through an agent, and no mail-in, online or fax applications are accepted.
What documents do I need for a Chinese tourist visa in Canada?
A passport valid for at least six months, plus an itinerary with round-trip tickets and a hotel reservation or an invitation letter, per the Toronto page.
Are these fees still valid after 2026?
The reduced fees are stated to run to 31 December 2026. Check the consulate page before you apply for later travel.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked on 9 November 2026 against these sources, from official pages where they exist and from the Wikipedia articles named in the list. Hours, prices and access change; we confirm them again before every trip.
- Chinese Embassy in the US: Notice on Extension of Visa-Fee Reduction, page dated 29 Dec 2025 (read 2026-11-09)
- Chinese Consulate General in New York: Fees, Processing Time & Payments (read 2026-11-09)
- Chinese Consulate General in Chicago: Fees, Processing Time & Payments (read 2026-11-09)
- Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco: Notice on Extension of Visa-Fee Reduction, 29 Dec 2025 (read 2026-11-09)
- Chinese Consulate General in Toronto: Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application, page dated 26 Dec 2025 (read 2026-11-09)
- Chinese Embassy in the UK: Notice on China’s Visa Waiver Policy for the UK and Canada, 15 Feb 2026 (read 2026-11-09)
