China
China requires a visa for US citizens and most other nationalities. The application is handled through the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC), not directly at the Chinese consulate. We help you prepare the complete application package — form, photos, invitation letter, and supporting documents — before you go to the CVASC.
Country at a Glance
- Capital
- Beijing
- Population
- 1.4 billion
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese
- Columbus diaspora
- 25,000+
- Founded (PRC)
- October 1, 1949
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan (CNY / RMB)
- Time Zone
- CST (UTC+8)
US Travel Advisory — Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
25,000+ Columbus Residents
Columbus has a substantial Chinese-American community, with a large component of Ohio State University students, researchers, and faculty, plus a growing professional community in tech and business. The Chinese community is well-organized with cultural associations, language schools, and the Columbus Chinese Cultural Arts Center.
Why Columbus Residents Travel Here
- 1Family visits to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and home provinces
- 2Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) — the most important family holiday
- 3Business travel — sourcing, manufacturing, trade
- 4Academic exchange programs (OSU research collaborations)
- 5Managing property and investments in China
China Visa & Travel Overview
US State Department Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
US State Department Level 2 — arbitrary enforcement of laws, risk of wrongful detention. US citizens should review the advisory carefully before travel.
Columbus has a substantial Chinese-American community, with a large component of Ohio State University students, researchers, and faculty, plus a growing professional community in tech and business. The Chinese community is well-organized with cultural associations, language schools, and the Columbus Chinese Cultural Arts Center.
US Embassy / Consulate
Beijing (+ consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang, Wuhan)
china.usembassy-china.org.cn ↗Founded (PRC)
October 1, 1949
Currency
Chinese Yuan (CNY / RMB)
Time Zone
CST (UTC+8)
Driving Side
Right
Phone Code
+86
Visa Type
L (tourist), M (business), F (exchange)
How Asal Helps With China Documents
We are a document preparation and translation service — not an attorney or embassy. We make sure every document in your packet is correct before you submit.
China Visa Application Form Preparation
The Chinese visa application form (Form V.2013) is detailed and multi-page. We help you complete it accurately — employment history, travel history, family information, and Chinese contact details.
China-Specific Passport Photos
China has strict photo requirements: 33x48mm size, white background, specific head-to-frame proportions. US standard 2x2 inch photos are NOT correct for China visas. We take China-specification photos in our Columbus office.
Chinese Document Translation
For Chinese-Americans handling documents from China — birth certificates (Hukou records), marriage certificates, property records — we provide certified Mandarin to English translation accepted by USCIS.
Invitation Letter Drafting
For tourist and business visas to China, an invitation letter from a Chinese national or company contact strengthens the application. We help draft these letters with all required information.
What You Typically Need
Every case is different — requirements vary by visa type and individual circumstances. We review your specific documents when you come in.
- 1Valid US passport (minimum 6 months validity, blank page for visa)
- 2Completed China visa application form (Form V.2013)
- 3China-specification passport photos (33x48mm, white background)
- 4Round-trip flight itinerary
- 5Hotel reservation confirmation or accommodation plan
- 6Invitation letter from China contact (for business or family visits)
- 7Business card or employment verification letter (for business visa)
- 8Student enrollment letter (for student/exchange visitors)
The Photo Specification Trap
China's visa photo requirements are different from standard US passport photos. The required size is 33x48mm (not 2x2 inches), the white background must be completely plain, and the head-to-photo ratio must fall within specific percentages. Many applicants arrive at the CVASC with standard US passport photos and are turned away. We take China-specification photos in our Columbus office — correct size, correct background, correct head proportions — so your application is accepted on the first visit.
Visa Types We Help With
Frequently Asked Questions — China
Do US citizens need a visa to visit China?+
What is the China CVASC and do I have to go in person?+
Can Asal translate Chinese documents for US immigration cases?+
How long does a China tourist visa last?+
Consulate & Processing Information
China visa applications in Ohio are processed through the Chicago CVASC (China Visa Application Service Center) or the Houston CVASC. US citizens may also mail applications. Current processing time is approximately 4-10 business days. In 2023, China began issuing 10-year multiple-entry L visas to US citizens.
China Document Assistance Near You
Serving all of Central Ohio from our office at 3185 Morse Rd, Suite 15, Columbus OH 43231.
Ready to Prepare Your China Documents?
Walk in or call — we speak English, Somali, and Arabic.
3185 Morse Rd, Ste 15, Columbus, OH 43231 · Mon–Fri 10am–6pm · Sat 10am–6pm · Sun 10am–4pm