How to Apply for a China Visa in Denver

Denver, known as the “Mile High City” because of its elevation of 5,280 feet, is the capital of Colorado and is one of the fastest growing cities in America with a population approaching three million people.  The region’s growing economy, along with its proximity to numerous outdoor recreational activities, make Denver an attractive destination for those seeking work-life balance.  Denver has a diverse economy and strong foundation of Fortune 500 companies, but also has a robust entrepreneurial scene with startup companies operating in the information technology, healthcare, education, real estate, and gaming industries; the nearby town of Boulder also a booming food tech startup scene.  Denver is not as well known as other American cities for its global connectivity; however, many residents still have a strong interest in international travel and cultures.  There are over 20,000 residents with Chinese heritage living in the Denver area.  Immigrants from China first came to Denver in the late 19th century to work as laborers in the railroads and mines.  With the recent growth and prosperity of China, many Chinese immigrants are now coming to Denver as international students and stay in the city to work in the area’s healthcare, financial, electronics, aerospace, and energy industries. 

China is a nation of 1.4 billion people bordered by 14 countries and has a land area only slightly smaller than the United States.  Although most of China’s population is made up of “Han” people, there are also 56 recognized ethnic groups in the country including Uyghur, Manchu, Tibetan, Mongol, and Joseonjok (Koreans).  Officially known as the People’s Republic of China, the country’s modern government was formed in 1949 when the Chinese Communist Party unified the nation after its civil war.  After decades of poverty and stagnation, China has emerged as the world’s second largest economy and is an important destination for Denver businesspeople.  Gates Corporation, based in Denver, manufactures industrial products in China, while companies like Leprino Foods export food ingredients to China.  Public universities such as University of Colorado Denver, University of Colorado Boulder, and Colorado State University, have over 1,500 students from China.  The tuition paid by these students counts as “service exports” to China, pumping over 100 million dollars into the economy of Denver and the state of Colorado.  Beyond these commercial ties, China and its culture remains a source of fascination for Americans and will continue to attract tourists from the Denver area.   

Obtaining a China Visa from Denver

Citizens of the United States planning to visit China must first have a valid passport that does not expire within six months beyond the date they will enter China.  U.S. and most other countries must also obtain a visa before entering China.  Issued by a government official of the People’s Republic of China, a visa allows foreigners to enter, exit from, or transit through mainland China.  Like all sovereign states, Chinese laws and government officials determine whether to issue a visa; decline a visa application; or cancel an issued visa.

The visa must be issued and obtained before arriving in China. (NOTE: The special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau have separate border control policies and visa requirements.  Travel to either region plus mainland China may also require additional visas for each jurisdiction visited.)

Visas for China are issued by the government of China in the United States.  The government of China is represented by their embassy in Washington, D.C. along with four consulates located in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.  Unfortunately, there is no China embassy or consulate in Denver where local residents can obtain a visa.  Denver residents must file an application with the China government office that is responsible for their state of residence (which for Denver and the state of Colorado means the consulate in Chicago) -- so you will complete the visa application online and appear in person at the consulate’s office in Chicago.  Or you can use a service company such as Visa Supply to submit the application on your behalf.

Here is the address of the consulate:

Consulate of the People’s Republic of China
100 West Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60610

It is important to review the requirements for visas on the China embassy website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate (Please be sure to review both the “Basic Documents” and “General Documents” for the visa you wish to obtain).  Here is the link to their website that provides this information: http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/notice/202206/t20220614_10702581.htm

It should also be noted that China has a new online application called “China Online Visa Application (COVA).  Here is the link to the application: https://cova.mfa.gov.cn/qzCoCommonController.do?show&pageId=index&locale=en_US

The application must be filled out completely and accurately.  Applications with incomplete or incorrect information will be rejected.  Once the application has been completed, it must be printed and signed with a black pen in section 9.  You will also print out and sign the confirmation page, which must be printed on one page so that your signature is on the same page as the QR code.  This may require you to shrink the size of the page or adjust the paper size on the settings of your computer when you print.  For example, you can try adjusting the paper size from “Letter” to “A4”.

After completing the application, you will then make an appointment online to submit the application in person.  Please review this link for more information: http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/202301/t20230113_11006596.htm. 

Which Type of Visa Do You Need?

There are 16 types of visas that residents of Denver can obtain for visiting China, with the most popular being the tourist (Class L) and business (Class M) visa.  A tourist visa is for leisure travelers, while the business visa allows the visitor to engage in such activities as making investments or buying commercial products for export.  The following link to the San Francisco consulate contains the complete list of visa types: http://sanfrancisco.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/lszj/zgqz/201009/t20100911_9542582.htm.

The Visa Supply website includes details on the specific documentation requirements for tourist visas (https://www.visasupply.com/china-tourist-visa.html) and business visas (https://www.visasupply.com/china-business-visa.html).  However, government officials may also ask for additional supporting documents beyond these basic lists.

Some consulates offer expedited visa service, so if you need a quick turnaround, verify whether the service is still available at that office.  Also note that on occasion, the embassy or consulate will require you to appear in person at their office, even if you use an authorized agent and file all the proper paperwork.

Visa Supply recommends allowing at least six weeks for processing a visa application.  It typically takes five business days for the China consulate to process a visa after it has received the application.  However, you should also consider the time required for you to appear in person at the consulate, plus any extra time needed in case the consulate asks for more documentation or rejects the initial application because it was filled out incorrectly.

Once you complete the application and approval process, the government of China will typically issue a visa that is good for 10 years for U.S. citizens.  Both tourist and business visas allow travels to stay in China for up to 90 days per visit.  For more information about the China visa process, here is a link to a government overview on the program: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/zgqz/ .

Other things to consider:

 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Denver or anywhere in the state of Colorado and have difficulty applying for a China visa or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing China visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of China.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following China visa services for our customers in Denver:

  • China Tourist Visa (L Visa)
  • China Business Visa (M Visa)
  • China Noncommercial Visit Visa (F Visa)
  • China Student Visa (X1/X2 Visa)
  • China Work Visa (Z Visa)
  • China Crew Visa (C Visa)
  • China Journalist Visa (J1/J2 Visa)
  • China Family Visit Visa (Q1/Q2 Visa)
  • China Private Visit Visa (S1/S2 Visa)
  • China Talent Visa (R Visa)
  • China Transit Visa (G Visa)
  • China Hotel Accommodations
  • China Organized Tours