China Visa Fee Breakdown: What US Citizens' $140 Covers, Plus $25 Express

October 13, 2026 · Visa Knowledge

Getting ready for a Chinese visa application? The first question most people ask is: exactly how much do I pay? Let's separate consulate fees from our service fees.

1. Consulate fees: a flat $140 for US citizens

Source: the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles "Notice on Reducing Visa Fee" and the December 27, 2025 notice extending the temporary fee reduction. Any application submitted before the policy expires gets the reduced rate.

2. Consulate fees vs. service fees

Consulate fees go to the Consulate General — everyone pays them, however they apply. Service fees are our labor costs and apply only if we handle your application.

• Applying in person yourself: only the consulate fee ($140, plus $25 express if needed).
• Using our service: we collect and remit the consulate fee for you, plus a service fee (form filing from $80, full filing + drop-off/pickup package $180, drop-off only from $120 — all excluding consulate fees).

So the "$180 package" does not include the $140 consulate fee — as our pricing pages state, all prices exclude third-party and consular fees.

3. Three common fee mistakes

• "A family application costs one fee" — no. Consulate fees are per person, adults and children alike, and express fees are per person too.
• A returned application usually means paying the fee again. A re-submission is a new process, so getting the paperwork right the first time is the cheapest option — and the part an experienced agent helps with most.
• Fees may go back up after 2026. The reduction is explicitly set to expire on December 31, 2026; whether it continues depends on a new official notice. Planning year-end travel? Apply now.

Fee schedules can change — check the Consulate's latest notice before submitting, or contact us to confirm the current fees. Consultation is free.