Chinese Visa Service

MLCCC now expands its service to the community by offering visa service to China for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens, including a 2-Year Multiple Entry () Tourist Visa to China.

Steps for obtaining Tourist Visa to China:

  1. Prepare the necessary documents:
    1. Application Form
      • Main Form (V.2011A) – Every applicant must submit this form. Our main form is an editable and savable PDF. Please follow our line by line instructions when filling out the form.
      • Supplemental Form (V.2011B) – Only the following applicants need to submit this form:
        • people who are not U.S. citizen, such as Canadian citizens, etc.
        • people who are going to China to work
        • people who are going to China to study in a school (for more than 180 days)
        • people who are going to China on shared passports
        • Supplemental Form (V.2011B)

      Forms must be completely typed. Handwritten forms are no longer accepted. Upon completion, please email to Julia Chou (jchou@mlccc.org) to be checked.

    2. One recent passport photo – staple to application form, do not use glue or tape.
      1. Photos printed by home printers will not be accepted
      2. Children's school pictures will not be accepted

    3. Original U.S. passport and other documents
      1. Must be valid for "visa valid time requested + length of stay in China + some cushion time" from the date of application.
        Example: if applying for a 2-Year Multiple Entry visa and lasting 30 days in each entry, then passport should not expire within 2 years and 3 months from the date application is submitted.
      2. Passport must contain at least TWO blank visa pages.
      3. Please also provide a copy of the information page (page with photo) of your U.S. passport.
      4. If a child born in the U.S., who has at least one parent born in China, applies for 2-Year Multiple Entry, then please provide copies of both parents' U.S. passport(s) or Chinese passport(s) and green card(s).
      5. If you were born in China and it is your first time applying, must provide:
        • original Chinese passport; and
        • a copy of the information page (page with photo) of your Chinese passport.
      6. If it is the first time applying for a child born in the U.S. and one of his/her parents was born in China and is now a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident, then need to provide a copy of the child's birth certificate and copies of both parents' U.S. passport(s) or Chinese passport(s) and green card(s). Originals are not necessary.
      7. If your passport is newly renewed and you've obtained at least one Chinese visa before, then provide a copy of your most recent Chinese visa page in your prior passport.

  2. Prepare Payment:
    1. Embassy's Visa Application Fee (Effective 6/10/2010)

      Number of Entry U.S. Citizens Non-U.S. Citizens
      Single Entry $140 $30
      Double Entries $140 $45
      Multiple Entries for 6 Months $140 $60
      Multiple Entries for 12 Months (1ME) $140 $90
      Multiple Entries for 24 Months (2ME) $140 N/A

    2. MLCCC Visa Service Fee (Effective 10/1/2011):

      For Non-2-Year Multi-Entry Visa (1-Yr Multi-Entry (1ME), 6-Mth Multi-Entry, Double Entry, or Single Entry):
      Our processing fee is:
      1. $35/person for 1-3 applicants.
      2. $30/person for 4+ applicants.
      3. $30/person for families currently registered in MLCCC Weekend School or Summer Camp.

      For 2-Year Multi-Entry (2ME) Visa:

      Our processing fee is:
      1. $50/person for 1-3 applicants.
      2. $45/person for 4+ applicants.
      3. $45/person for families currently registered in MLCCC Weekend School or Summer Camp.
      4. If applied for 2ME but approved for only 1ME, then we will refund you the difference between our 2ME fee and 1ME fee.

      We accept cash or check. One check for both Embassy's and our fee for several applications is fine. Please make check payable to: Main Line Chinese Culture Center.


  3. Submit Documents and Payment:
    Please submit completed documents and payment in person to MLCCC's Julia Chou (jchou@mlccc.org). MLCCC operates a Weekend School almost every Sunday 1pm - 5pm at the Great Valley High School in Malvern. Please check our current school calendar for days when we are open. We also operate Chinese Summer Camps every weekday during most of the summer at numerous locations, including the United Church Of Christ at Valley Forge. Julia Chou is often onsite at these locations. It is best to email her and schedule an application submission appointment.

    This visa service was originally set up for the families who attend our Weekend School or Summer Camps. At the same time, we want to service Greater Philadelphia's growing need for the same service. As a non-profit organization, our fees are reasonable, though we will charge a Drop-off/Pick-up fee if you cannot drop off or pickup at either our Weekend School or our Summer Camp. By utilizing our service, you are also supporting our broader mission of enhancing cultural understanding between the U.S. and China. Thank you.

  4. Processing Time:
    Normal processing time takes 10-15 business days. Rush service is available upon request.

  5. Contact Person:
    Julia Chou at jchou@mlccc.org if you have any questions/requests.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Update on 2/13/2012: Our visa service is still on hold as the Embassy finalizes its guidelines on visa application procedure. We are doing all that we can to cooperate with the Embassy. We will update this announcement with any new developments.


Eligibility for a 2-Yr Multi-Entry (2ME) Tourist Visa:

  1. Must be a U.S. citizen; and
  2. Must meet one of the following conditions:
    1. born in China, HK, or Taiwan; or
    2. born in the U.S., less than 18 years old, and has at least one parent who still holds a valid Chinese passport; or
    3. spouse was born in China, HK, or Taiwan.
  3. And passport must be valid for "visa valid time requested + length of stay in China" from the date of application.
    Example: If applying for a 2ME visa and lasting 30 days in each entry, then passport should not expire within 2 years plus 30 days from the date application is submitted.

PROCESSING TIME:
10-15 business days
Rush service available


CONTACT:
jchou@mlccc.org


LAST UPDATE:
9/28/2011