Chinese Visa or Travel Permit for Your US-Born Child?

October 4, 2026 · Visa Knowledge

If your child was born in the United States and is traveling to China for the first time, the most common question parents ask is: should my child get a Chinese visa, or a Chinese Travel Permit?

The answer does not depend on where your child was born — it depends on whether your child holds Chinese nationality.

1. The law: two articles of China's Nationality Law

Article 4: A person born abroad whose parents are both Chinese nationals, or one of whose parents is a Chinese national, has Chinese nationality.
Article 5: A person born abroad whose parents are both Chinese nationals, or one of whose parents is a Chinese national, and who have settled abroad, and who acquires foreign nationality at birth, does not have Chinese nationality.

It comes down to two things: the parents' status and whether they have "settled" abroad.

2. Find your situation

Case 1: Both parents are Chinese nationals, neither holds a US green card
Your child holds Chinese nationality → apply for a Travel Permit. Note: a child with Chinese nationality cannot get a Chinese visa — the application will be returned.

Case 2: One parent is a US citizen (or green card holder) settled in the US
Your child does not hold Chinese nationality → travel on a US passport + apply for a Chinese visa.

Case 3: One parent is a Chinese national (no green card), the other is a US citizen
This depends on how "settled" status is determined — handled case by case. Contact us, tell us both parents' status, and we'll help you figure it out.

3. Three common misunderstandings

"My child has a US birth certificate, so we need a visa" — wrong. A birth certificate only proves birth in the US; it does not determine Chinese nationality.
"Is a Travel Permit the same as a passport?" — not exactly. It is a travel document issued to children who hold Chinese nationality but have not obtained a Chinese passport. It works like a passport, is valid for 2 years, and can be renewed.
"Let's just try applying for a visa" — don't. A visa application for a child with Chinese nationality will be returned, wasting your time.

4. How we can help

First-time Travel Permit: $150 — online filing + document checklist + manual pre-check
Travel Permit renewal: $100 (non-expedited)
Chinese visa: if your child qualifies for a visa, we handle form filing and submission too

Not sure which one your child needs? Contact us with both parents' status — we'll advise you, free of charge.

Chinese Visa or Travel Permit for Your US-Born Child?

1. The law: two articles of China's Nationality Law

2. Find your situation

3. Three common misunderstandings

4. How we can help

Questions? Ask us directly