APVI — American Passport & Visa International
China · F Visa

Your China F visa, handled end-to-end.

For non-commercial exchanges, study tours, scientific cooperation, or cultural visits — APVI manages your F visa from invitation review to consulate submission.

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

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Rated 4.9/5 on Google · 191 reviews

As of October 17, 2026 · Find APVI reviews ↗

U.S. passport open to a Chinese F visa on a marble desk with the Shanghai skyline at dusk

F visa applications depend on precise invitation-letter wording. APVI reviews your documents before submission and handles the required consular process. Start your application today.

Direct Consular Handling

No middlemen, no third parties

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23+ years of trusted service

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Processing & fees

Pick your speed. We do the rest.

Every option includes specialist invitation-letter and application review, and direct handling through the required consular process. Choose the turnaround that protects your travel dates.

Fastest

5 Days

Hand-walked through every step for time-sensitive exchange and research travel. The fastest option APVI offers for China Type F Visas.

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

2 Weeks

Prioritized specialist review and expedited handling so your study tour or institutional visit dates stay on track.

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

3 Weeks

Best for exchange visits planned a few weeks out. Full invitation 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 exchange visit to China?

A real APVI China visa specialist can help you understand Type F visa requirements, invitation-letter wording, 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
Our university is sending a small delegation to Beijing for a research exchange next month. Is the Type F visa the right one, and can APVI process it in time?
You · 3m
Yes, a Type F visa fits a non-commercial research exchange. With 5-day or 2-week processing that timeline is very doable. Upload the host invitation letter and your U.S. institution support letter and I will confirm the wording today.
Sarah · APVI Specialist · 2m
Y
Perfect, sending them now. Thank you!
You · just now

What we'll need

China Type F visa requirements.

The F-visa file needs both a host invitation and a U.S. institution support letter, plus a 5-year travel history. APVI reviews each one 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 to be issued.
Download the China visa application form using the button in your APVI portal, then complete every section in full. The completed form must be printed and signed by the applicant.
Your passport photo must be taken within the last 6 months. Any photos older than 6 months will not be accepted.
A typewritten letter from your host in China explaining the purpose of the visit, issued by the Chinese host institution, organization, university, research body, or exchange partner.
A letter addressed to The Embassy of China from the applicant's U.S. employer or institution, confirming the applicant's position and the purpose of the visit.
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.
You must provide a copy of your valid state-issued photo ID that matches your Where You Stay form and application.
You must download and complete the "Where You Stay" form. Check the box and type or write in the state where you live. A hand signature is required.
Download the provided form and complete it with your travel history from the last 5 years. Look through your passport stamps to confirm dates and destinations.
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 non-commercial exchanges

For academic, cultural, scientific, and institutional visits to China.

Academic exchanges

For university, school, or educational exchange visits that qualify for China Type F Visa processing.

Study tours

For organized study tours and educational visits where the purpose is non-commercial.

Scientific cooperation

For research-related visits, lab cooperation, institutional visits, and scientific exchange activities.

Cultural visits

For cultural exchange programs, institutional visits, and other non-commercial cultural activities.

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U.S. passport with a Chinese host institution invitation letter and academic research papers on a desk
Invitation & exchange documents

Type F visa applications depend on precise invitation-letter wording.

China Type F Visa applications can be delayed when the invitation letter does not clearly match the applicant's non-commercial exchange purpose, host institution, dates, and travel details. APVI reviews these documents before submission to reduce preventable delays.

Invitation letter review

APVI reviews the invitation letter from the Chinese host organization, institution, university, or exchange partner before submission.

Non-commercial purpose alignment

The invitation should clearly support the correct Type F visa purpose, such as exchange, study tour, scientific cooperation, or cultural visit.

Host and traveler details

Applicant details, passport information, visit dates, host information, and purpose of visit should align across the application and supporting documents.

Consular process guidance

APVI helps applicants understand what must be uploaded, what must be shipped, and what must be submitted through the required process.

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 Type F 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 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
Why APVI

Type F visa mistakes often start with the invitation letter. APVI helps catch issues before submission.

Since 2003, APVI has processed hundreds of thousands of expedited visas for U.S. travelers. One misaligned invitation letter or missing supporting document can push back an exchange visit. Our specialists catch it before your file ever reaches the consulate.

  • China Type F Visa document review
  • Invitation-letter wording review
  • Non-commercial purpose alignment
  • Host organization and travel-detail review
  • Secure document upload with 256-bit encryption
  • Prepaid FedEx shipping for passport and originals
  • Direct handling through the required consular process
  • Dedicated APVI specialist assigned to every order
  • Support for universities, research groups, cultural programs, and institutional visitors
Start My Application
DIY vs. APVI

Avoid invitation-letter issues that can delay your exchange visit.

Most Type F rejections trace back to a single line in the invitation letter, a mismatched host detail, or a missing supporting document. Our specialists review every file against current consulate standards before you submit.

Without APVI

The DIY path

  • Confusing Type F invitation-letter requirements
  • Risk of using business, tourist, or work visa wording by mistake
  • Missing host institution or exchange details
  • Uncertainty about what must be uploaded or shipped
  • No specialist review before submission
  • Delays can affect exchange programs, study tours, or institutional visits
With APVI

The APVI path

  • Specialist review before submission
  • Type F invitation-letter guidance
  • Non-commercial purpose alignment
  • Secure upload and document review
  • Prepaid FedEx shipping
  • Consular process handling
  • Dedicated support for applicants and institutions
Customer stories

Exchange travelers and institutions trust APVI when China visa paperwork gets nuanced.

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

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 Type F Visa is for qualifying non-commercial exchanges, study tours, scientific cooperation, cultural visits, and similar institutional or exchange-related visits.
Applicants traveling for non-commercial exchanges, educational visits, study tours, cultural visits, research-related cooperation, or institutional visits may need a China Type F Visa, depending on the purpose and invitation documents.
Per APVI's Type F requirement list: your valid passport, a completed application form, one passport photo, an invitation letter from your host in China, a support letter from your U.S. institution, previous China visas if applicable, a travel itinerary, proof of residence, a completed "Where You Stay" form, a 5-year travel history form, and a signed checklist. The full list with details is on this page.
Yes. APVI reviews the invitation letter and supporting documents before submission to help reduce preventable delays.
A China Type F Visa is for qualifying non-commercial exchanges, study tours, scientific cooperation, and cultural visits. A China Business Visa / M-Visa is generally used for commercial and trade activities. APVI can help confirm that the selected visa type matches the purpose of travel.
A China Tourist Visa / L-Visa is generally used for tourism and leisure travel. A Type F Visa is for qualifying non-commercial exchange or institutional visit purposes.
APVI offers three processing options: 5 Days, 2 Weeks and 3 Weeks.
The consular fee is $165 for 5 Days, $140 for 2 Weeks and $140 for 3 Weeks.
APVI's service fee is $499 for 5 Days, $399 for 2 Weeks and $299 for 3 Weeks.
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 China Type F visa
handled by APVI.

Start your order online, upload your invitation and support letters, and let an APVI specialist confirm the wording and submit your file through the required consular process.

Start My ApplicationCall (800) 766-0452