AMERICAN VISA SERVICE

QUICK FACTS ABOUT VISAS TO CHINA:

--VISA VALIDITY: Crew visas are usually valid for 5yr, multiple entry with 10 day stay. IF YOU HAVE A CURRENT VISA TO CHINA, PLEASE WAIT TO APPLY FOR A NEW ONE UNTIL YOU HAVE LESS 90 DAYS OF VALIDITY LEFT ON YOUR CURRENT VISA. If you have more than 90 days of validity left, your passport & paperwork will be returned to you unprocessed.

--THE PROCESS TIME varies by consulate. Please check Step 3 for most up-to-date information.

--PASSPORT VALIDITY: Your passport should be valid for 1yr or longer and have 2-3 clear visa pages (last 3 pages are not counted as visa pages). If your passport is valid for less than 1 yr. you must renew your passport first. If your passport has less than 5 year validity, the consulate can limit the validity of your visa.

--A PHOTO can be taken digitally with a cell phone. Make sure to stand against a light-colored smooth wall and your shoulders must be fully visible in the photo. E-mail it to us in "actual size" and we'll re-size, crop and print it out for you.

--CHINESE CONSULATES HAVE RE-OPENED: SEE IMPORTANT NOTES ON NEW PROCESSING TIMES AFTER STEP 2.

PASSPORT PROCESSING:If you need to renew your passport prior to applying for a crew visa, click here
                                               If you want to apply for a 2nd passport, click here. 2nd passports SHOULD NOT be used to apply for crew visas

CHINESE CREW VISA-

OPTION A: APPLY THROUGH FTC

STEP 1: PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO FTC AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE

RESIDENTS OF NORTHERN CA, WA, NV, OR & AK- 2 WEEKS PROCESSING

RESIDENTS OF ALL OTHER STATES/JURISDICTIONS- 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS

STEP 2: FTC WILL MAIL YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT & DOCUMENT PACKET TO AVS FOR PROCESSING

Once your visa is issued, your passport will be returned to FTC. If you'll be done with training, FTC staff will contact you and FedEx your passport back to you.

• Original primary 10yr signed passport (2nd passports are not accepted)
  
• Document Checklist & Applications (click here to download). All forms can be typed on a computer, printed single-sided & signed OR printed first and filled out by hand. Make sure to follow the checklist and provide ALL documents listed on page 1.
  
• One passport photo (can be taken digitally with a cell phone. Make sure to stand against a light-colored smooth wall and your shoulders must be fully visible in the photo. E-mail it to INFO@AVSCHICAGO.COM in "actual size" and reference in the e-mail that you'll be applying through FTC)
  
• U.S. Military members (current and former): should in no way provide their DD-214 to any consulate when applying for a crew member visa. If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor.
  

PROCESSING TIMES: please note, processing times are estimated and can change at any time.