Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco - San Francisco, California

Mimi G.

first time applying for a chinese visa and it’s not as hard as everyone is thinking. don’t let the line intimidate you! i was dropped off at exactly 930 on a friday and the line was already around the building and i was at the very end. it was moving fast and by 946, i was close to the entrance. people are still coming btw. they check for belongings and give you a number just like at the dmv. got mine at 1002 (57). you can leave and come back once you have a number, no need to wait the entire time. left and got breakfast w/ my family and came back 11. 1130 my number was called. if you prepare and provide requested documents then you’ll be out in 5 min. i was there 2 hours. not a bad experience for visa application 😊

Chris T.

Came before 9:30am opening on a Tuesday morning for China visa. Outside line already wrapped around the block before opening time. Spent 45min in outside line after it started moving, then after passing security and getting a number (A059), sat down to wait when number A015 was served. I waited another 80 min inside before giving up and left at 11:30am (when the number A044 was served). They close for lunch 12-1, so if I waited, it would probably not be my turn until after 1pm. Only do this in person if you have a full day to burn. Better use of time and money to pay a visa agent to do this for you. (travel agents get to bypass the outside line)

Marivel Y.

Husband & I applying for visa, came in on Tuesday at 11:50am. No line outside & only few people inside. Picked up our ticket (A084) & they were already serving 081. Soon as our number was called, staff behind the window checked our application, passport & photocopy of our passport. We missed to sign the application so we signed them in front of the staff. After all documents were checked staff issued a form with date for visa/passport pick up and amount to pay. Payment will be on the next visit when we pick up our visa. All this was a breeze, in & out within 20 minutes. Only 3-day processing, ready for pick up on Friday.

We probably just got lucky, only few people applied for visa today. I asked the security guard, he said there were lines in the morning. Also, come in complete with your printed application (fill-up online & print the completed form) passport & photocopy of passport. Visa application entrance is on the Geary St. side. Bring quarters just in case you missed to photocopy your passport, copy machine charges $0.25 each copy. Goodluck and enjoy your visit to China 🤗

Steven L.

The process of obtaining a China Visa at the San Francisco Chinese Consulate felt much like going to the DMV, but with lines moving at a steady pace. Overall, with all necessary documents prepared ahead of time, the entire process took approximately one hour. Here are the steps I took, which might help others who find the online information insufficient:

1. Visited my local FedEx Office Center to take a China-specific visa application photo, obtaining both printed photos and a digital copy on a USB flash drive. The cost was around $20, though bringing your own USB drive reduces the cost by $5. Note that each applicant requires their own photo set.

2. Completed the China Online Visa Application (COVA), uploading the digital photo on page 1 of the application. Separate applications were completed for each child under 18 years old.

3. Submitted the online application and saved a digital copy onto the USB flash drive.

4. Prepared all necessary documents for printing at the local FedEx Office Center: USB flash drive, current passport, driver's license or CA ID, U.S. Naturalization Certificate (if applicable), old passports, marriage certificate (if surname changed due to marriage), and birth certificates for U.S.-born children.

5. At FedEx, printed one copy (black & white acceptable) of each of the following:

• Visa application form
• Driver's license ( one for yourself and one for each children)
• Current passport & old passports (if applicable)
• U.S. Naturalization Certificate (if applicable)
• Children's birth certificates (if applicable)

* If you are submitting an application for your children, you must make a copy of your passport, driver license, and U.S. Naturalization Certificate for each children.

*Each black & white copy cost $0.26 at FedEx (copies are also available at the Consulate for $0.25 each copy).

6. Arrived at the Consulate General of P.R.C. in San Francisco, their opening time is 9:30 AM. Free two-hour parking was available nearby. Upon entering, security asked whether I was there to pick up a visa or submit application, they issued a number but you still need to wait in line. Inside there are two lines, one for pickup and one for submission. Copiers and printers were available inside at $0.25 per copy, along with a change machine if needed.

Having all documents properly prepared allowed the process to move quickly, the representative will still ask question so be patience, the whole process took about one hour.

(Update) on Picking up Visa after 4 days of processing: The Consulate Office closes for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, we arrived at 12:45 PM, we found a line already formed, stretching up to the top of the block. We waited about 15 minutes, unaware that there were actually two separate lines at the front entrance:

• Line closest to the building: for submitting visa applications
• Line closer to the street: for picking up visas

It would be very helpful if there were clear signage to indicate this distinction, as several others were also standing in the wrong line. Once we got into the correct pickup line, the process moved quickly, we were inside the building about 10 minutes of wait.

Inside the Consulate:
1. We need to wait at Window 1 to turn in your document number. The staff will match it with your passport and hand you a payment card.

2. Then, line up at the payment window located in the middle of the room. This second line moves quickly; we waited only a few minutes before paying and receiving our passports.

In conclusion, despite the high volume of applicants, the overall experience was satisfactory. Improvements could be made, such as better signage at the entrance and clearer information about which documents to bring, but their staff processed everything efficiently. Glad this is only something you have to do once every decade.

Jackie B.

*psa They only take physical credit cards!!! Came here at 12:55pm on a Thursday, there was no line outside, picked up a number: A136, the line was at A108… at 2:30 they close to picking up new numbers, but we all stayed until we were called, for me I was able to get out at 4pm

Mohsen T.

I guess most of the people who are complaining in the comments never needed to apply visas for other countries. Yes, every time you come here be mentally prepared to spend up to 2 hours. But you don’t need an appointment (which is huge considering the fact that some countries you need check many times from months in advance to be lucky enough to get one!!), the process is easy, and very fast! Only 5 days!

Allen S.

Actually it was not bad. It took about 3 to 4 hours to finish and they were very nice. You have to wait outside maybe an hour or so and once you get in it is very quick. Maybe less than an hour.

Inès R.

I called for a clarification for the visa application, and the woman on the phone was really rude and cutting me off when explaining my situation. She didn't answer any of my question + was rude + hung up twice. I haven't had my answer regarding my immigration status as an incoming student studying in China. This is extremely disappointing. Just for the record it was a woman and I called 5/21 at 10:29am. If I could I would put 0 star for how impolite and disrespectful the woman was on the phone.