Step 1: Find Your Consulate (Jurisdiction Map)
The USA has 5 Chinese consular districts. You must apply to the consulate covering your state of residence (not where you work or were born). Here's the complete breakdown:
Embassy of China - Washington DC
3505 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Covers: Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, plus DC
Processing Time:
2-3 weeks (standard), 5-7 days (expedited +$150)
Contact:
📞 (202) 495-2266 | 📧 chinaembassy_us@mfa.gov.cn
Chinese Consulate General - New York
520 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Covers: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Processing Time:
2-3 weeks (busiest consulate, plan ahead)
Contact:
📞 (212) 244-9392 | 📧 newyork@visaforchina.cn
Chinese Consulate General - Chicago
100 West Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Covers: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin
Processing Time:
2-3 weeks (moderate volume, good service)
Contact:
📞 (312) 780-0170 | 📧 chicago@visaforchina.cn
Chinese Consulate General - San Francisco
1450 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Covers: Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Washington (state)
Processing Time:
2-3 weeks (high K Visa volume from tech workers)
Contact:
📞 (415) 852-5900 | 📧 sanfrancisco@visaforchina.cn
Chinese Consulate General - Los Angeles
443 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Covers: Arizona, Hawaii, Southern California (San Luis Obispo south), New Mexico
Processing Time:
2-3 weeks (largest consulate, most experienced staff)
Contact:
📞 (213) 807-8088 | 📧 losangeles@visaforchina.cn
⚠️ Houston Consulate Status: The Chinese Consulate General in Houston (covering Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas) was ordered closed by the US government in July 2020. Residents of these states should apply to the Embassy in Washington DC until further notice.
Step 2: Apostille Your Documents (US-Specific Process)
The USA is a Hague Convention member, so you need apostille (not consular legalization) for educational certificates. Here's the exact process:
Documents Requiring Apostille
- Bachelor's Degree: Original diploma + transcript (both need apostille)
- Master's/PhD (if applicable): Diploma + transcript
- FBI Background Check: Identity History Summary (apostilled by US Dept of State)
- Employment Contract: From Chinese company (notarization optional, not apostille)
State-by-State Apostille Process
| State/Region | Apostille Office | Processing Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | CA Secretary of State | 5-7 days (standard), 24hrs (expedited) | $20 (+$30 expedite) |
| New York | NY Dept of State | 3-5 days (standard), 24hrs (rush) | $10 (+$75 rush) |
| Texas | TX Secretary of State | 2-3 days (standard), same-day (walk-in) | $15 (+$0 walk-in) |
| Illinois | IL Secretary of State | 3-5 days (mail), same-day (in-person) | $2 per document |
| Massachusetts | MA Secretary of State | 5-10 days (standard), 2-3 days (expedited) | $6 (+$25 expedite) |
| All States | Check your state's SOS website | Usually 3-7 days | $5-$50 per doc |
💡 Pro Tip: For FBI background checks, the apostille must come from the US Department of State in Washington DC (not your state), since FBI is a federal agency. Send FBI report to: Office of Authentications, 600 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Processing: 8-12 weeks standard, or use a DC-based courier service for 3-5 day turnaround ($100-$150).
Step 3: Complete Document Checklist (USA Edition)
Passport (Valid 6+ months)
- • Photocopy of data page (must be clear, no shadows)
- • At least 2 blank visa pages
- • Previous Chinese visas (if any) - bring old passport
Educational Certificates (Apostilled)
- • Bachelor's degree diploma + apostille
- • Bachelor's transcript + apostille
- • Master's/PhD (if applicable) + apostille
- • All documents must be in English or translated to Chinese by certified translator
FBI Background Check (Apostilled)
- • FBI Identity History Summary Check (official name)
- • Must be apostilled by US Dept of State (DC)
- • Valid for 6 months from issue date
- • How to get: FBI.gov/identity-history-summary-checks
Employment Contract from Chinese Company
- • Signed contract (English or Chinese version acceptable)
- • Must specify: job title, salary, start date, duration
- • Company chop/seal (red stamp) required
- • Letter of invitation from employer (official letterhead)
Visa Application Form (V.2013 Version)
- • Download from consulate website or fill online
- • Must be printed in color
- • Signature in black ink (must match passport)
- • Passport photo: 48mm × 33mm, white background, recent (within 6 months)
Additional Documents (If Applicable)
- • Proof of US residence (utility bill, lease, driver's license)
- • Previous Chinese visas/residence permits (if any)
- • Marriage certificate (if bringing spouse) + apostille
- • Birth certificates for children (if bringing dependents) + apostille
Step 4: Timeline & Total Costs Breakdown
Timeline Breakdown
- Week 1: Gather documents, request FBI check
- Week 2-3: Wait for FBI report (12-14 weeks via mail, OR 3-5 days expedited)
- Week 4: Apostille all documents (3-7 days)
- Week 5: Submit to Chinese consulate
- Week 6-7: Consulate processing (2-3 weeks)
- Week 8: Visa issued, passport returned
- Total: 4-6 weeks (assuming expedited FBI check)
Total Cost Estimate
- • Visa Fee: $140
- • FBI Background Check: $18 (mail) or $50-$75 (channeler)
- • FBI Apostille: $8 (USDOS) + $100-$150 (courier service)
- • Degree Apostille: $10-$50 per document × 2-4 docs
- • Notary Services: $10-$30 (if needed)
- • Translation: $50-$150 (if documents not in English)
- • Passport Photos: $15 (Walgreens/CVS)
- • Shipping/Courier: $30-$50
- Total: $300-$600
Special Guide: Transitioning from H-1B to K Visa
Many US tech workers ask: "Can I apply for K Visa while on H-1B?" The answer is yes, but you need to understand the implications:
What Happens to Your H-1B
- H-1B is abandoned: Once you leave the US for China, your H-1B status ends. You must notify USCIS and your employer.
- No automatic reactivation: If you return to the US later, you'll need a new H-1B petition (subject to annual cap lottery).
- Green card impact: If you have I-140 approved (EB-2/EB-3), your priority date is preserved. Consult immigration attorney before leaving.
- Recapture option: You may recapture unused H-1B time if you return within your 6-year limit, but requires new sponsorship.
🎯 Smart Move: Many people get the K Visa approved before resigning from their US job. This gives you negotiation leverage and a backup plan. Just don't actually move to China until you've resigned and notified USCIS.
Frequently Asked Questions (USA Applicants)
Apply to the Chinese consulate that covers your state of residence. The US has 5 consular districts: DC (East Coast states), New York (Northeast), Chicago (Midwest), Houston (South/Southwest - currently suspended, use DC), San Francisco (West Coast), and Los Angeles (Southwest). Check the consulate's jurisdiction map online before applying. You cannot choose a different consulate based on convenience.
Yes, all educational certificates (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) must be apostilled by your state's Secretary of State office. The USA is a Hague Convention member, so apostille (not consular legalization) is sufficient. FBI background checks must be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington DC (not your state). Processing takes 2-5 business days for most states, or 24 hours via expedited service ($50-$100 extra).
Total timeline is 4-6 weeks: Document preparation (1-2 weeks), apostille processing (3-5 days), Chinese consulate submission and review (2-3 weeks), visa issuance (3-5 days). The biggest delay is usually the FBI background check (12-14 weeks via mail, or 3-5 days via approved channeler for $50-$75). Expedited visa processing available at some consulates for additional fee ($100-$200), reducing consulate processing to 5-7 days.
Yes, you can apply for K Visa while holding H-1B status. Many STEM professionals transition from US tech companies to Chinese firms. However, you'll need to resign from your US job and notify USCIS of your departure before actually moving to China. H-1B status is abandoned once you leave the US for China, but you can potentially reclaim unused H-1B time later if returning within your 6-year limit (consult immigration attorney). If you have I-140 approved, your green card priority date is preserved.
Yes, you need an FBI Identity History Summary Check (official name for FBI background check). Request via FBI's official website (fbi.gov/identity-history-summary-checks) or approved channeler. Processing takes 12-14 weeks via mail ($18), or 3-5 days via approved channeler ($50-$75). The report must be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington DC (not your state Secretary of State). FBI reports are valid for 6 months from issue date.
Total costs: Chinese consulate visa fee ($140), apostille fees ($10-$50 per document × 2-4 documents = $40-$200), FBI background check ($18-$75), FBI apostille ($8 + $100-$150 courier = $108-$158), notary services if needed ($10-$30), document translation if not in English ($50-$150), passport photos ($15), courier/shipping to consulate ($30-$50). Total budget: $300-$600 depending on your state and whether you use expedited services. California and New York tend to be on the higher end due to expedite fees.
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