Filling in the Chinese visa application online: what the US embassy's COVA guidelines describe

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States sets out the online application, called China Online VISA Application (COVA), in three main stages: sign up and log in, fill in the form and upload materials, then go through online review and submit your passport. The step numbers below are the guidelines' own. These are that embassy's guidelines for applicants within its jurisdiction, and another embassy may describe the steps differently.

I. Sign up and log in

Follow these actions in order:

1. Open consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ in your browser.
2. Click Sign In at the top-right corner of the page.
3. Log in with your email account.
4. If this is your first time using the system, sign up with your email address.
5. You may click Guidance on Visa Application to see the procedures and required documents for each type of visa.
6. When you are ready, click Start my application at the bottom of the page.

II. Fill in the form and upload materials

The guidelines say to submit your application based on the consular jurisdiction of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States. Before you start, read the "Guidelines for Filling in the China Online Visa Application (COVA) Form" and the "Instructions for visa applications at the Embassy/Consulate" thoroughly.

The form has nine sections:

• Personal information
• Type of visa
• Work information
• Education
• Family information
• Information on your travel
• Information on previous travel
• Other information
• Declaration

Fill in the form in Chinese or English, in sequence. Complete every required field marked with ＊ on each page, then click Next. You may click Save at any point to keep your progress. To reopen a saved draft, click your account at the top-right corner, then Personal Center, then My draft.

2. Type of visa

Select your visa type based on the purpose of your visit to China. Choose the visa validity and the intended duration of stay as needed.

The guidelines say: "Please note that whether to issue a visa, the type of visa, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay will be determined by consular officials. It may differ from those you filled in on the application form."

6. Information on your travel

(1) Fill in your arrival and departure dates and cities according to your travel plan. The system accepts visa applications only for entry dates within the next 90 days. Applications submitted outside this period will not be processed. Confirm this 90-day limit on the Embassy's page (dated 22 September 2025, checked 10 October 2026) before you apply.

(2) Item 6.5, "Person sharing the same passport with you," applies only when someone travelling with you uses the same passport. If you are travelling with others who hold different passports, select "No" for this entry.

10. Uploading materials

(1) Take photos and upload the required documents as the system instructs. Only image files are supported. PDF and other formats are not accepted. Make sure the uploaded materials are complete, clearly visible and evenly lit. Documents marked with red dashed borders are mandatory.

(2) Download the Visa Application Statement template from the Embassy's website. Fill it in, print it, and upload it.

(3) If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time and you were formerly a Chinese citizen, or either of your parents is or was a Chinese citizen, upload materials based on your individual circumstances.

(4) If you are a foreigner in the United States, upload your visa, permanent residence permit or other materials that prove your legal residence.

(5) If other circumstances need explanation, or if the Embassy requests more materials during the preliminary review, upload them under "Anything else you want to declare."

11. Confirm the information

After you upload your materials, click Next. Review the submitted information and the uploaded materials. To change anything, click Modify at the upper-right corner of the page. When you are satisfied, click Submit the application form.

The guidelines warn: "Please carefully review all the information, as submitted form cannot be modified until consular officials' review."

III. Online review and passport submission

After you submit, the application enters online preliminary review, and Embassy staff conduct the review. Check progress by clicking Track the status of my application on the homepage.

If the application does not meet the requirements or needs more materials, consular staff will reject it. The status then changes to "Rejected and to be modified." Modify and supplement the application according to the Embassy or Consulate's feedback.

When the preliminary review is approved, the status shows "Passport to be submitted." The guidelines say the applicant or agent should visit the Visa office of the Embassy to submit:

• the passport
• a printed copy of the application information page with the barcode
• certain original documents that must be submitted on site

The guidelines also state: "Online review approval does not guarantee visa issuance. Consular officers may require an in-person interview with the applicant or request additional documentation."

About the China Consular Services portal

The China Consular Services portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes its online service as giving access to the Guidance on Visa Application, letting applicants start a new application or continue a saved draft, tracking status, and managing later appointments such as interview bookings.

Sources

• Embassy of the PRC in the United States — Guidelines for China Online VISA Application (22 September 2025), published by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America
• China Online VISA Application (中国签证在线办理), China Consular Services website, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC

Checked 10 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, and it is not legal or immigration advice. The official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail if they differ.