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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Questions? Speak with a China F visa specialist: Call a China F visa specialist:(800) 766-0452

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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

BBB A+ Accredited

23+ years of trusted service

256-bit SSL Secured

Bank-grade document encryption

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.

2 Weeks

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

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.

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.

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.

01
Place your order with APVI
Start your order online and select any add-ons your case may require.
02
Upload your required documents
Securely upload your supporting documents so your specialist can review your case and confirm what is still needed.
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.
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.
05
We collect your visa and return your passport
After approval, APVI collects the issued visa and ships your passport back to you.
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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

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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.

Frequently asked

Everything you need to know, in plain English.

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

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 Application Call (800) 766-0452

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