Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Contact Details

Official Name:
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America

Embassy Address:
3505 International Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008, USA

Main Telephone:
+1-202-495-2000

Fax:
+1-202-495-2138

General Email:
chinaembpress_us@mfa.gov.cn

website

https://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/

Chinese Visa Office in Washington, D.C.

If your purpose is to apply for a Chinese visa, pay particular attention to this address.

Visa Office Address:
2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 110
Washington, D.C. 20007, USA

Telephone:
+1-202-495-2071

Visa Email:
washington_visa@csm.mfa.gov.cn

Visa Office Hours:
9:30 AM–2:30 PM, Monday–Friday, excluding weekends and holidays.

The embassy’s current information also lists telephone consultation hours of 12:30 PM–4:30 PM, Monday–Friday, excluding holidays.

Important: The embassy and visa office are at different addresses. Do not automatically go to 3505 International Place when you need to submit a visa application.

Who Can Apply Through the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.?

The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. has a defined consular jurisdiction.

It covers:

Washington, D.C.
Maryland
Virginia
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Kentucky
Tennessee
Delaware
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Texas
Puerto Rico

You should confirm that your place of residence falls within this jurisdiction before submitting your application.

If you live outside this area, you may need to apply through another Chinese embassy or consulate in the United States.

Chinese Visa Types

The visa category depends on why you want to travel to China.

L Visa – Tourist

For tourism, sightseeing and leisure travel.

M Visa – Business

For commercial and business activities.

F Visa – Visit/Exchange

For certain exchanges, visits, study tours and other non-commercial activities.

X Visa – Student

For people studying in China.

Z Visa – Work

For people undertaking approved employment in China.

Q Visa – Family Visit

For eligible family visits.

S Visa – Private Visit

For certain private visits to family members or other eligible persons in China.

C Visa – Crew

For qualifying crew members.

J Visa – Journalist

For qualifying journalists.

G Visa – Transit

For eligible transit travel.

The correct visa depends on your circumstances, so applicants should read the requirements for their specific category before submitting the application.

How to Apply for a China Visa in Washington, D.C.

The current process begins online through China’s New COVA online visa application system. The Chinese Embassy says the new system was launched for applications at the U.S. embassy on September 30, 2025.

Step 1: Confirm That Washington, D.C. Is the Correct Visa Office

First check your residential address against the embassy’s consular jurisdiction.

If you live in one of the states or territories listed above, Washington, D.C. may be the correct Chinese mission for your application.

Do this before completing your application.

Step 2: Determine Your China Visa Category

Decide why you are traveling to China.

For example:

Tourism → L Visa

Business → M Visa

Study → X Visa

Employment → Z Visa

Choosing the correct category is important because the supporting documents are different.

Step 3: Start the Online China Visa Application

Use the official Chinese Embassy’s online visa application system.

Official China Visa Application Guide:
Chinese Embassy – China Online Visa Application Guide

The embassy’s current system requires applicants to complete the online form and upload supporting materials for preliminary review.

Step 4: Complete the COVA Application Form

The online application contains several sections.

The embassy’s current instructions identify sections covering:

Personal information
Visa type
Work information
Education
Family information
Travel information
Previous travel
Other information
Declaration

Complete the form carefully and accurately. The embassy states that required fields are marked with an asterisk and that applicants can save their progress as a draft.

Step 5: Upload the Required Documents

The exact documents depend on your visa type.

For a typical tourist application, applicants should be prepared to provide information/documentation such as:

Valid passport
Passport information page
Completed online application
Recent photograph
Travel itinerary
Accommodation information
Round-trip transportation information where applicable
Supporting documents requested by the embassy

For business, study, work, family or other visas, additional documents may be required.

Do not upload documents simply because another website says they are required. Check the requirements for your specific visa category.

Step 6: Submit the Application for Preliminary Review

After completing the online form and uploading the required documents, submit the application for preliminary review.

The embassy reviews the online submission.

If corrections or additional information are required, follow the instructions provided by the visa office.

Do not assume that completing the online form means your visa has already been approved.

Step 7: Wait for the Embassy’s Instructions

Once the online preliminary review is completed, follow the instructions provided by the Chinese Embassy.

The current procedure may require you to appear at the Visa Office with your passport and documents.

The embassy specifically instructs applicants to follow the staff’s directions when entering the Visa Office.

Step 8: Go to the Chinese Visa Office

If instructed to submit your application in person, go to:

Chinese Visa Office
2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 110
Washington, D.C. 20007

Bring your:

Original passport
Application information
Required supporting documents
Any additional documents requested during preliminary review
Payment method required by the Visa Office

Do not confuse this address with the main embassy address.

Step 9: Submit Your Passport and Documents

At the Visa Office, your application and supporting documents can be checked.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide fingerprints/biometrics unless you qualify for a current exemption.

The visa office will tell you what is required for your application.

Step 10: Pay the China Visa Fee

China visa fees depend on the applicant’s nationality, visa type, number of entries and processing service.

For U.S. passport holders applying in Washington, D.C., the exact amount should be checked on the embassy’s current fee schedule immediately before payment.

Visa fees can change, so this page should link visitors directly to the embassy’s current fee information rather than permanently displaying an amount that may become outdated.

Current official visa requirements and fee information:
Chinese Embassy – Visa Requirements & Procedures

China Visa Fees for U.S. Citizens

For your website, avoid saying that every China visa costs the same amount. The standard Chinese visa application fee for U.S. citizens is $140 for most categories (such as tourist or business visas) regardless of the number of entries, plus an additional application service fee of around $25 to $40 if you apply through a official application center.

The fee can depend on:

U.S. citizenship
Number of entries
Visa type
Regular processing
Express processing
Other applicable services

There may also be service charges separate from the actual visa fee where applicable.

Always check the current Washington, D.C. fee schedule before publishing a specific dollar amount.

This is especially important because Chinese visa fees and temporary fee policies can change.

Step 11: Wait for Processing

Processing time depends on the application and whether the embassy requires additional review.

Applicants should not assume that every application will be completed within the same number of days.

If your trip is important, submit your application sufficiently early to allow for:

Preliminary review
Document corrections
Additional document requests
Visa processing
Passport collection

Step 12: Collect Your Passport

Once your visa is ready, follow the collection instructions provided by the Visa Office.

When you receive your passport, check the visa carefully.

Verify:

Name
Passport number
Date of birth
Visa category
Number of entries
Issue date
Enter-before date
Duration of stay

If you notice an error, contact the Visa Office immediately.

Documents You May Need for a China Tourist Visa

For an L Tourist Visa, prepare the documents applicable to your circumstances.

Common items include:

Valid passport
Passport information-page copy
Online COVA application
Recent passport photograph
Travel itinerary
Hotel/accommodation information
Transportation information
Previous China visa information, if applicable
Additional documents requested by the Visa Office

The embassy’s official visa instructions should be treated as the final authority because requirements can differ according to the applicant and circumstances.

China Business Visa Requirements

Applicants applying for an M Business Visa may need additional evidence of their business activities and purpose of travel.

This can include:

Invitation documentation
Information about the Chinese organization
Business purpose
Planned activities
Travel information

Check the current M-visa requirements before submitting.

China Student Visa Requirements

Students should check whether they need an X1 or X2 visa, depending on the nature and duration of their study.

Supporting documents from the Chinese educational institution may be required.

Do not submit a tourist visa application if your actual purpose is long-term study.

China Work Visa Requirements

People traveling to China for employment normally need the appropriate work-related visa and supporting authorization/documentation.

Because employment applications involve additional requirements, applicants should follow the official instructions for the Z visa rather than relying on a general tourist-visa checklist.

How Long Does a China Visa Take in Washington, D.C.?

Processing time can vary depending on:

Visa category
Completeness of application
Document verification
Additional administrative review
Processing service selected
Embassy workload

The safest approach is to apply sufficiently early and not rely on the shortest possible processing time.

Do You Need an Appointment?

The current Washington, D.C. procedure uses the online COVA application system for preliminary review.

The embassy also publishes information about walk-in visa application services, so applicants should check the latest instructions before traveling to the Visa Office.

Do not rely on old articles claiming that every applicant must make an appointment.

Important Difference: Embassy vs Visa Office

This is one of the most useful pieces of information to include on your directory page.

Main Chinese Embassy

3505 International Place NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

Main telephone:

+1-202-495-2000

Chinese Visa Office

2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 110
Washington, D.C. 20007

Visa telephone:

+1-202-495-2071

Visa email:

washington_visa@csm.mfa.gov.cn

The Visa Office is the location specifically identified by the embassy for visa applications.

Useful Official China Visa Links

China Visa Application Guide

Official China Online Visa Application Guide

Chinese Embassy in the United States

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.?

The main embassy is at 3505 International Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20008.

Where do I apply for a China visa in Washington, D.C.?

The Chinese Visa Office is at 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20007.

How do I apply for a China visa online?

Begin with China’s New COVA online visa application system, complete the required information and upload the requested documents for preliminary review.

Can I apply at the Chinese Embassy without completing the online application?

Follow the current embassy procedure. The Washington mission currently uses the New COVA system for preliminary review, so applicants should complete the online process before appearing at the Visa Office when required.

How much does a China visa cost?

The fee depends on nationality, number of entries and processing service. Check the current Washington, D.C. fee schedule before paying.

How long does a China visa take?

Processing time varies by application and service. Applicants should apply early enough to accommodate possible document requests or additional review.

Can I apply at the Washington, D.C. embassy if I live in another state?

Not necessarily. The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. has specific consular jurisdiction. If you live outside its jurisdiction, you may need to apply through another Chinese consulate.

What is the Chinese Embassy visa phone number?

The current Visa Office telephone number is +1-202-495-2071. The embassy announced that this became the consular document consultation number effective January 2, 2026.

China Visa Application Checklist

Before visiting the Visa Office, make sure you have:

Final Tip for China Visa Applicants

China’s visa procedures can change, so always check the official Chinese Embassy website immediately before submitting your application. This is particularly important for visa fees, appointment/walk-in rules, fingerprint requirements, processing times and document requirements.

For your Embassy Visa Directory page, keep the official links above prominent so visitors can verify the latest information themselves.