Visa Application for Children Born in US with Chinese Parents

Child with Chinese Nationality

If such a child's one parent or both parents are Chinese citizens and the child was born in the US but has Chinese nationality, then the child should apply for a Chinese travel document.

Documents needed to apply for Chinese Travel Documents
1. Three recent (within half a year) color photos (48mm x 33mm, the width of head 15mm-22mm, the length of head 28mm-33mm), against a white or light blue background.
2. A copy of the screenshot of the order information page of the “China Consular Affairs” app. (see details in the below part How to Apply)
3. A copy of the birth certificate or other legally valid proof of parentage (must be the same as the one uploaded on the “China Consular Affairs” APP).
 

Child without Chinese Nationality

If such a child's one parent or both parents are Chinese citizens and settled in the US, and the child was born in the US and does not have Chinese nationality, he/she should apply for a Chinese visa.
 
Documents needed to apply for Chinese Visa:
1. A child’s passport with blank pages and at least six months of remaining validity. 
2. A duly completed Application Form with one standard photo glued. This form can be filled in and signed by his parents.
3. The original and copy of a child's Birth Certificate.
4. The original and copy of parents’ Chinese passports and U.S. Resident Permit (Such as American visa or other legal documents issued by American Immigration Office).
5. Invitation documents related to the purpose of the application to go to China.
6. Other relevant documents requested by the consular officer.
 
Note: If such a child had once obtained Chinese visa, he or she needn't offer the documents of the birth certificate and parent's passport or green card for later applications, but the original visa should be provided.

 Embassy of China in USA
  Detail Procedure for Application 
   (How to Apply - Processing Time - Visa Fees - Pick-up, etc)
 

How to Apply

Apply for Chinese Travel Documents

1. Chinese citizens residing in the U.S. should submit their applications online through the China Consular Affairs App according to the consular district in which they reside.

2. After the order status has changed to “Under Review”, prepare the documents needed listed above and mail the documents as soon as possible. Please make sure to clearly indicate “Applicant’s State of Residence + Chinese Name + LXZ” on the envelope cover.
Mailing address: Visa Section, Embassy of China, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 110 Washington D.C. 20007
 
3. Self-addressed Envelope
The staff will send your documents back to you in the self-addressed envelope you provided. Please be sure to clearly mark the return envelope with your address (or both) and pay the full postage.

Application Fee:
USD 23 per person (including a processing fee of USD 18 and a mailing service fee of USD 5).
You can choose to pay online through the "China Consular Affairs" APP.
 

Apply for Chinese Visa

1. Applicants should fill in the visa application form online by logging in "China Visa Online Form (COVA)". Mail application is not acceptable.

2. Children are usually not required to be present. The parent or other person should submit the visa application on their behalf, and must go to the appropriate Embassy or Consulate according to the consular district.
 
3. Applicants should ensure that the application materials provided are true and correct. Any inaccuracies, misrepresentations or incompleteness may result in denial of the visa application or denial of entry into China.
 
4. If necessary, the consular officer may ask the applicant to provide additional supporting documents or request the applicant to have an interview. The consular officer decides whether or not to issue a visa, as well as the type of visa, its validity, the duration of stay and the number of entries on a case-by-case basis.

5. On-site pick-up and payment of fees
When picking up the documents, please check the visa information carefully. Payment can be made by credit card (Master Card or Visa only) or cashier’s check (Money Order, Cashier's Check).
 

Processing Time of Chinese Visa

It takes 4 working days for processing the application, 3 working days on the urgent situation. For express service, an extra USD 25 will be charged.
 

Fees, Validity and Duration of Stay

Entry & Validity Fees
Single Entry USD 140
Double Entries
Multiple Entries for 6 months
Multiple Entries for 12 months or more
- Last updated on Jan. 22, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Visa Application for Children Born in US with Chinese Parents
Asked by mass yu from UNITED STATES | Jan. 20, 2024 12:24Reply
US citizen to chinese citizenship parents
I was born a US citizen to Chinese citizenship parents who did not have their green card at the time. My mom received her green card now, however my dad is still in the process of obtaining it. I am now an adult, 26 , will I still be able to apply for a visa? Or do I apply for a travel document?
Answers (1)
Answered by Kelly | Jan. 22, 2024 01:15
00Reply


Since you only have American passport, you should apply for a visa as other American citizens.
Asked by Juli from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | Aug. 02, 2023 15:01Reply
Child of Chinese parents who didn't have green card at my birth but now does - what document?
I was born a US citizen to Chinese citizenship parents who did not have their green card at the time. However, now one has their green card and another earned their US citizenship.
Do I, an adult now over 18, need a Chinese travel document or a Visa to travel back to China as a tourist?
Answers (1)
Answered by William | Aug. 02, 2023 22:49
00Reply


Yes, you need a Chinese visa to to enter the country.
Asked by Fred from USA | May. 03, 2021 22:40Reply
Child was born in China, to Chinese national parent and US national parent.
Child has US passport and citizenship from birth to a US citizen abroad, no hukou or chinese passport. Chinese parent applied and received green card a year after child was born. Do we need to apply for a chinese visa for the child or can we get a travel booklet at chinese consulate in America in order to travel back and forth?
Answers (1)
Answered by David | May. 17, 2021 00:24
00Reply


Normally, the child needs a China visa to come here.
Asked by maylee from MALAYSIA | Sep. 16, 2019 02:24Reply
infant was born in USA, he needs passport to travel or travel document ?
when the child travel back from china to usa, cant the travel document be used or need to apply for passport ?
any validity on the travel doccument ? it is only valid for infant or child (2-11 years old) ?
Answers (3)
Answered by Amy from SINGAPORE | Sep. 16, 2019 19:26
00Reply


The travel document can be used when travelling back to USA. Normally, it is has 2 years of validity. It is valid for children under 12 years old.
Answered by maylee from MALAYSIA | Sep. 17, 2019 01:29
00Reply


thank you , mean children below than 12 years old , does not need a passport to/.fro usa to china ? a Travel document can be used instead of passport ?
Answered by maylee from MALAYSIA | Sep. 17, 2019 03:15
00Reply


sorry, one more questions, if a child or infant use travel document back to usa from china, no usa visa is required ?
Asked by X. Chen from USA | Aug. 26, 2019 22:00Reply
Child born in USA with parents citizens
We are planning to travel to China with our children. How to apply for my children China Visa? Do children need to be with the parents at the Chinese consulate to apply?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jack from USA | Aug. 27, 2019 20:52
00Reply


Normally the child is not required to come to the Visa Office in person and the application can be submitted by the parent(s) or an agent.
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