China Visa for U.S. Citizens: Tourist Visa Guide (2026)

The application process

• Complete the COVA form online (cova.mfa.gov.cn) — flights, hotels, day-by-day itinerary required
• Gather: passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), COVA confirmation, one passport photo, and proof of travel (flights/hotels or invitation letter)
• Submit at a Chinese embassy/consulate or via a registered visa service — mailing in your own passport directly is not accepted
• Standard processing ~4-5 business days; express options exist

The 10-year visa — get the max

Under the U.S.-China reciprocity agreement, most American applicants receive a 10-year multiple-entry L visa allowing stays of 60 days per visit. Cost is ~$185 whether you get 1 entry or the full 10 years — so always request multiple entry.

The visa-free transit loophole

China's transit policy lets U.S. citizens visit for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa if transiting through designated cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, etc.) to a third country or region — e.g., US → Beijing → Hong Kong. You must hold an onward ticket and stay within the designated area.

Hong Kong and Macau are separate immigration zones: Americans enter both visa-free (90 days HK, 30 days Macau). Flying US → Hong Kong → mainland still requires the Chinese visa.

Common refusal triggers

• Passport damage or less than 6 months validity
• Itinerary gaps — every night needs a hotel or host address
• Previous travel to certain regions flagged for extra review (Xinjiang, Tibet — Tibet needs a separate permit anyway)
• Journalism or religious work on a tourist visa — a real enforcement area