This guide is based on the Chinese government, embassy and visa centre pages listed at the end, checked on 2026-10-14. Tables and worksheets are VisaPilot preparation methods, not an official checklist.
Before you start
- Sign in with an email address you check often. Rejections, requests for more documents and approvals are sent to that email, so check your spam folder too.
- Choose the place where you will submit. Embassies only accept applicants who are in that country, by consular district. The system may move you to a visa centre website.
- Only one application can be active for the same passport. Withdraw an application at another centre before starting a new one.
The nine sections
| Section | What to check |
|---|---|
| 1 Personal information | Photo passes the check; name, nationality and passport data read from the passport are correct |
| 2 Type of visa | Visa type and standard or expedited service; officials decide the final type, entries, validity and stay |
| 3 Work | Five years of work history, full company names without abbreviations |
| 4 Education | Highest level of education |
| 5 Family | Choosing "Not Applicable" needs a written explanation |
| 6 Travel | Arrival within the next 90 days; inviter details in 6.2 for M, Z, F, X, S and Q visas |
| 7 Previous travel | Previous China visits and visas, and travel in the past 12 months |
| 8 Other information | Answer every question; give an explanation if asked |
| 9 Declaration | Say whether you are the applicant or someone filling in for them; a filer gives their own details and relationship |
Uploading and submitting
- At the US embassy, uploads must be image files; PDFs are not accepted.
- Upload every item marked with a red dashed border. Files should be complete, clear and evenly lit.
- If the embassy requires a Visa Application Statement, download it, sign the printout and upload it.
- Review everything, then submit. The form cannot be changed until consular officials have reviewed it.
After submission: statuses and what to do
| Status | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Rejected and to be modified | The online review needs changes | Revise or add documents as instructed and resubmit |
| Passport to be submitted | Online review passed | Take your passport, the printed page with the barcode and required originals to the visa office |
Passing the online review does not guarantee a visa. Officials may still ask for an interview or more documents.
Common mistakes
- Name order or spelling different from the passport, or a former name left out.
- Gaps in the five-year work history, or company names abbreviated.
- Arrival date more than 90 days away, so the application cannot proceed.
- Inviter details in section 6.2 different from the invitation letter.
- An earlier application still open at another visa centre.
- Withdrawing twice: at the London visa centre, after two withdrawals for the same passport you must wait 30 days before a new application.
Common questions
Can I change my China visa application after submitting it?
Not until consular officials review it. If it comes back as "Rejected and to be modified", revise it as instructed and resubmit.
How early can I apply for a China visa?
The US embassy system only accepts arrival dates within the next 90 days.
Can someone else fill in the form for me?
Yes. In the declaration they select that they are filling in for the applicant and give their own details and relationship to you.
Why can I not submit a new application?
Only one application can be active for the same passport. Withdraw the application at the other centre first. At the London visa centre, two withdrawals mean a 30-day wait.
Official sources and check dates
- Embassy of China in the US: Guidelines for China Online Visa Application · 2026-10-14
- Embassy of China in the US: Requirements and procedures for Chinese visa application · 2026-10-14
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center London: Form and upload issues · 2026-10-14
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China Online Visa Application (COVA) · 2026-10-14
Official instructions take priority. Requirements differ between embassies, consulates and visa centres, so check the page for the place where you will apply. VisaPilot is an independent document preparation and review service, not affiliated with the Chinese government, embassies or visa centres. This guide does not assess eligibility or predict a decision.
Next step: check your own documents
List the documents you already have and the questions still open, then request a free human check.