APVI — American Passport & Visa International
China · Crew Visa (C)

Your China crew visa, in time for your next rotation.

APVI processes C visas for pilots, flight attendants, and international transport crew — handling the airline letters, jurisdiction routing, and consulate submission so your team stays on schedule.

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Call a China crew visa specialist:(800) 766-0452

TrustScore 5/5 310 reviews

Rated 4.9/5 on Google · 191 reviews

As of October 17, 2026 · Find APVI reviews ↗

Airline pilot and flight attendants walking through an airport terminal before a China rotation

APVI, Inc. is a trusted expediter for U.S.-based airline, maritime and transport crew traveling to China, handling your file directly through the required consular process. Start your application today.

Direct Consular Handling

No middlemen, no third parties

BBB A+ Accredited

23+ years of trusted service

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HTTPS Encrypted

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Processing & fees

Pick your speed. We do the rest.

Every option includes specialist review of your airline letter, crew ID, and application materials, plus direct handling through the required consular process. Choose the turnaround that protects your rotation date.

Fastest

5 Days

Hand-walked through every step for time-sensitive crew rotations. The fastest option APVI offers for China Crew Visas.

Service fee$499
Consular fee$165
Total$664
Rush

2 Weeks

Prioritized specialist review and expedited handling so your crew assignment dates stay on track.

Service fee$399
Consular fee$140
Total$539
Standard

3 Weeks

Best for rotations scheduled a few weeks out. Full airline letter and application review, residence validation, and consular submission included.

Service fee$299
Consular fee$140
Total$439

Fees shown are per applicant. Final visa validity, number of entries, and duration of stay are determined by the consulate. Prices shown are for applicants served by the Washington, DC consular district. Applicants in western states are served by the Los Angeles or San Francisco consulate at different rates — your exact price is confirmed from your state of residence when you start your order. A flight itinerary is required for the 5-day service.

Talk to a specialist

Questions before your next rotation?

A real APVI China visa specialist can help you understand crew visa requirements, airline documentation, processing options, shipping steps, and what happens after you place your order.

23+

Years serving

100k+

Visas processed

3 min

Avg. reply

Start My ApplicationCall (800) 766-0452
Y
I have three crew members on a Shanghai rotation next month. Can APVI process their China Crew Visas in time?
You · 3m
Yes, with our 5-day or 2-week processing that is very doable. Upload each passport, application, airline letter, and crew ID and I will confirm the files are complete today.
Sarah · APVI Specialist · 2m
Y
Perfect, sending the roster now. Thank you!
You · just now

Our Washington, DC office. Your visa team.

APVI reviews your application documents and handles visa submission on your behalf. You can start your order online without visiting our office.

APVI Washington, DC Office
American Passport & Visa International1010 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 550Washington, DC 20007
Office hours
Monday–Friday9:00 AM–5:00 PM ETVisits by appointment only.
(800) 766-0452
Ask a China Crew Visa questionCheck an existing order
How it works

From order to consular submission, APVI handles the process step by step.

Simple, guided, and secure. You start the order, upload your crew documents, ship the originals, and APVI handles the consular process and returns your passport.

  1. 01

    Place your order with APVI

    Start your order online and select any add-ons your case may require.

  2. 02

    Upload your required documents

    Securely upload your supporting documents so your specialist can review your case and confirm what is still needed.

  3. 03

    Ship your originals with a prepaid FedEx label

    We send you a prepaid FedEx shipping label so you can mail your passport and required original documents to APVI safely and quickly.

  4. 04

    APVI submits your application

    Once your file is complete, APVI submits your documents through the required consular process. In most cases there is no need for you to appear in person.

  5. 05

    We collect your visa and return your passport

    After approval, APVI collects the issued visa and ships your passport back to you.

  6. Start My Application
Customer stories

Crew teams trust APVI when timing matters.

Jim Brigman

Jim Brigman

US · 1 review

Awesome customer service

APVI's experience and speed in getting my visa was impressive. After submitting my paperwork, they were on the phone within hours to thoroughly review it. They noted errors in my documents which had to be corrected. I overnighted the passport and materials and they submitted it the day they received it and got it back the following day.

Verified review on Trustpilot

Joe Hobbs

Joe Hobbs

US · 1 review

APVI is top-notch

APVI is a top-notch, no-nonsense, get-it-done outfit. They have done exceptional work on all my visas since 2019. They are extremely attentive to the details needed for embassy consular services, getting back to me very quickly with information or concerns. I have used many other visa services, but none are outstanding like APVI.

Verified review on Trustpilot

Terry Carolan

Terry Carolan

US · 1 review

Extremely responsive

Extremely responsive, very helpful and great customer service! And received my visa way earlier than anticipated!

Verified review on Trustpilot

What we'll need

China crew visa requirements.

The C-visa file turns on the airline letter and your crew credentials. APVI reviews both before submission.

Scan and upload a copy of your passport information page for review. You must send in your most recent, physical passport book for your visa.
Download the China visa application form using the button in your APVI portal, then complete every section in full and sign it before submission.
Your passport photo must be taken within the last 6 months. Any photos older than 6 months will not be accepted.
You must provide a copy of your valid state-issued photo ID that matches your Where You Stay form and your application.
A letter from the airline company including a brief introduction of the company, when and where the company was founded, and what its major business is.
The information page of the issued passport and a copy of a previous China visa must be uploaded for review and submission.
You will need to provide a copy of your travel itinerary that includes detailed round-trip flight information.
A photocopy of the front and back of the applicant's valid crew ID.
Download and complete the Where You Stay form. You must check the box and type or write in the state where you live. A hand signature is required.
Once you have completed and uploaded all of your application documents, sign your checklist and upload it as the final item.
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Built for aviation, maritime, and transport crew

For crew members and operations teams who cannot afford document delays.

Pilots

For flight crew members who need China C-Visa processing aligned with rotation schedules.

Flight attendants

For airline crew traveling as part of international routes and assigned rotations.

Maritime crew

For ship crew and transport personnel entering China for qualifying crew duties.

Crew operations teams

For airlines, cargo operators, and teams coordinating multiple crew applications.

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Airline crew ID, passport, pilot epaulettes, airline letter, and rotation schedule laid out for a China crew visa application
Crew documentation review

Crew visa applications depend on precise airline and transport documentation.

Crew files fail on the airline letter or the wrong consular jurisdiction more often than anything else. APVI checks both first.

Airline letter review

APVI reviews airline or transport-company letters for completeness and consistency before submission.

Crew ID and license support

Crew credentials, IDs, pilot licenses, and related documents are checked against the requirement list when applicable.

Jurisdiction routing

APVI helps confirm the correct submission route based on the applicant's state of residence and consular jurisdiction.

Crew rotation timing

Processing is handled with travel dates, crew rotations, and operational deadlines in mind.

Why APVI

Crew visa mistakes can ground travel plans. APVI helps catch issues before submission.

Since 2003, APVI has processed visas for U.S. travelers and operations teams working against hard deadlines. One incomplete airline letter or a missing crew ID copy can push a rotation back. Our specialists catch it before your file ever reaches the consulate.

  • Airline letter and crew documentation review
  • Crew ID, license, and operator document support
  • Correct jurisdiction routing
  • Direct handling through the required consular process
  • Secure document upload with 256-bit encryption
  • Prepaid FedEx shipping for passport and originals
  • Dedicated APVI specialist assigned to every order
  • Bulk support for multi-crew rosters
  • Real-time status updates from order to passport return
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DIY vs. APVI

Avoid grounded crew and missed rotations.

China Crew Visa delays most often trace to an incomplete airline letter, a missing crew ID copy, or the wrong consular jurisdiction. Our specialists catch these before submission.

Without APVI

The DIY path

  • Confusing crew-document requirements
  • Risk of airline letter or operator-document errors
  • Wrong jurisdiction can delay submission
  • Missing crew credentials can create rejection risk
  • No specialist review before submission
  • Rotation timing at risk if documents are incomplete
With APVI

The APVI path

  • Specialist review before submission
  • Crew-document guidance
  • Jurisdiction routing support
  • Secure upload and document review
  • Prepaid FedEx shipping
  • Consular process handling
  • Dedicated support for crew and operations teams
  • Bulk support for multi-crew rosters
Roles and responsibilities

What APVI Does and What the Issuing Authority Does

APVI helps manage the process. The embassy, consulate, or government portal issues the visa.

What APVI does

  • Reviews forms, photos, supporting documents, and the service path
  • Checks requirements against the destination and visa category
  • Provides clear next-step and shipping instructions
  • Handles courier submission and pickup where eligible
  • Provides status updates and human support

What the issuing authority does

  • Reviews and adjudicates the visa application
  • Determines whether the visa is approved and issued
  • Sets government, embassy, and consular fees
  • Controls processing times and appointment availability
  • Issues the visa or electronic travel authorization

APVI is a private visa services company, not an embassy, consulate, or government agency. You may apply directly without using APVI.

Frequently asked

Everything you need to know, in plain English.

Still have questions? Call us at (800) 766-0452.

No. APVI is a private visa and travel document services company. APVI is not an embassy, a consulate, or a government agency, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government.
APVI is an optional private service. An APVI Specialist reviews your forms, photos and supporting documents against the destination and visa category before submission, gives you clear next steps and shipping instructions, handles courier submission and pickup where eligible, and keeps you updated with human support. Approval stays with the embassy, consulate or government that issues the visa.
No. Government, embassy, and consular fees are shown separately from APVI service fees. Shipping options are selected in the order form and are not included in the totals shown on this page.
No. Approval, issuance, and processing times are determined by the issuing authority. APVI helps reduce preventable document mistakes through specialist review and process guidance.
A China Crew Visa / C-Visa is used by eligible international transport crew, such as airline, maritime, and other qualifying crew members, traveling to China for crew-related duties.
Pilots, flight attendants, maritime crew, and other qualifying international transport personnel may need a China Crew Visa depending on the route, employer documentation, and consular requirements.
Per APVI's China Crew Visa requirement list: your valid passport, a completed visa application form, one passport photo taken within the last 6 months, proof of residence (state-issued photo ID), an invitation letter from the host airline company, previous visas if applicable, a travel itinerary with round-trip flight information, a copy of the front and back of your crew ID, a completed Where You Stay form, and your signed checklist.
Yes. APVI reviews crew documentation before submission, including airline or transport-company support documents when required.
APVI's China Crew Visa requirement list includes a photo copy of the front and back of the applicant's valid crew ID. If additional crew credentials or licenses are required for your specific case, APVI will confirm them during document review.
APVI offers three processing options for China Crew Visas: 5 Days, 2 Weeks and 3 Weeks. Total timeline depends on the option you choose and how quickly your documents are complete.
Yes. APVI can support individual crew members and operations teams coordinating multiple China Crew Visa applications.
In most cases, APVI handles the submission steps through the required process. If an in-person appearance is required for a specific applicant, APVI will advise.
You will upload your documents securely, an APVI specialist will review your file, APVI will provide shipping instructions or a prepaid FedEx label where applicable, and APVI will submit the completed application through the required process.
After your uploaded documents are reviewed, APVI provides shipping instructions and a prepaid FedEx label where applicable so you can send required originals securely.
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Get started today

Get your crew to China
on schedule.

Start your order online, upload the airline letter and crew credentials, and let an APVI specialist review the file and submit it through the required consular process.

Start My ApplicationCall (800) 766-0452