United States
China
China visa for US citizens
Entry requirement
China requires US citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
- Where to apply
- 6 missions
- Visa guide
- China visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at us.china-embassy.gov.cn
Which China visa?
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Duration of stay printed on the visa (short-stay visas allow up to 180 days per entry)
- Processing time
- Set by the mission or visa application centre where you apply
China’s official site for the tourist visa is consular.mfa.gov.cn. Processing time, as China states it: Set by the mission or visa application centre where you apply. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Duration of stay printed on the visa (short-stay visas allow up to 180 days per entry).
Chinese missions in the United States
- Embassy of China in Washington D.C.
International Place Northwest 3505, 20008 Washington
Today 09:00–17:30 -
- Consulate General of China in Chicago
West Erie Street 100, 60654 Chicago
-
- Consulate General of China in Los Angeles
443 SHATTO PLACE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90020, USA
- Consulate General of China in San Francisco
Laguna Street 1450, 94115 San Francisco
Today 09:00–14:30
All missions of China in the United States
China has 6 missions in the United States, with its embassy in Washington D.C. Consulates: Houston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Chinese citizens travelling to the United States
ChinaUnited States Visa required United States visa for citizens of China
Travel advice for China
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
US citizens planning a trip to China can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates China at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 18 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to China (updated 27 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for China (updated 27 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Good to know
How long US citizens can stay in China
How long US citizens may stay in China is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How US citizens apply
In the United States, applications go to the Chinese embassy in Washington D.C. and the consulates in Houston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, or to a visa centre acting for China; fees, documents and processing times are published by China.
China’s neighbours for US citizens
Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan admit US citizens visa-free. Afghanistan, North Korea and Russia require US citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Chinese citizens travelling to the United States
Chinese citizens need a visa for the United States, obtained before travel. The rule is the same in both directions between the United States and China.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for China?
China requires US citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
Where is the Chinese embassy in the United States?
The Chinese embassy in the United States is in Washington D.C.; there are also consulates in Houston, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for the United States?
Chinese citizens need a visa for the United States, obtained before travel.
Can US citizens enter China visa-free?
No; US citizens need a visa for China obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.