A 10-year China visa is about how long the visa sticker can stay valid, not how long you can remain in China on one trip. The Los Angeles consulate has been allowed to issue long-validity multiple-entry visas since 12 November 2014. That does not mean you will get one.
24 Hour Passport & Visas is a private expediter. We are not the Chinese consulate and not a U.S. Passport Agency. Drop at Beverly Boulevard. We hand-carry to the Chinese Consulate General at 500 Shatto Place. Call 310-913-7804.
What “10-year” actually means
Validity is the window in which you may enter. Stay per entry is separate and is printed on the visa. Do not treat a 10-year visa as permission to live in China for ten years.
The 2014 Los Angeles notice says China and the U.S. may issue multiple-entry business and tourist visas with validity of up to 10 years, and multiple-entry student and exchange visas of up to 5 years. From 12 November 2014 the LA office accepts 10-year multiple-entry applications for tourist (L), business (M), short-term family (Q2), and private matters (S2), and 5-year multiple-entry for study (X1). Passport remaining validity should be more than one year.
Source: Los Angeles consulate 2014 long-validity notice
Will I get a 10-year L or M in Los Angeles?
Maybe. The notice allows it. The officer decides type, entries, and validity. We will not promise a 10-year stamp. Business travel is M, not F.
Fee
For U.S. citizens the consular visa fee is $140 through 31 December 2026, the same whether the visa is single-entry or long-validity. Express is extra. Our service fee is separate. Call 310-913-7804.
Source: Los Angeles consulate visa fee notice
How to apply in Los Angeles
- COVA at https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ — select Los Angeles.
- Wait until status reads Passport to be submitted. 30 days.
- Drop at Beverly. See China visa drop-off in Los Angeles.
Jurisdiction: Southern California, AZ, NM, UT, CO, HI. Northern California is San Francisco.
FAQs
Can I get a 10-year China tourist visa as a U.S. citizen in Los Angeles?
The consulate may issue multiple-entry L visas with validity of up to 10 years. That is not guaranteed. The officer decides.
Is a 10-year visa a 10-year stay?
No. Validity is the window for entry. Stay per entry is printed on the visa.
Do I pay more for a 10-year visa?
For U.S. citizens the consular fee is $140 through 31 December 2026, the same as single-entry. Our service fee is extra.