What will a standard adult tourist application cost?
| Charge | Standard example | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Our service fee | $200 per applicant | Flat fee for standard adult tourist-visa preparation, digital photo preparation, passport shipping, and agreed process support. Special cases need an individual quote. |
| Government visa fee | $140 for a U.S. citizen | Ordinary visa, regular service. The published schedule runs through December 31, 2026; recheck before applying. |
| Combined base example | $340 per applicant | The two charges above. Photo preparation and passport shipping are already included. |
| Optional or case-specific costs | Confirm in writing | Translation, notarization, additional services, or express handling where applicable. |
Non-U.S.-citizen government fees vary by nationality and entries. The consulate publishes a $25 express supplement when that service is accepted. This is not the same as an agency’s expedited-service price. Ask for a quote that identifies each item rather than adding both automatically.
A flat $200 service fee, with photo and shipping included
Other providers commonly quote $295–$500 in service fees, then charge separately for visa photos and shipping. Our flat $200 standard adult tourist-visa fee includes both, saving you $95–$300 per applicant in service fees alone.
| Cost to compare | Seattle Chinese Visa | Other providers |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee | $200 flat | $295–$500 |
| Visa photo | Included — $0 extra | Usually extra |
| Passport shipping | Included — $0 extra | Usually extra |
| Regular government visa fee | $140 | $140, paid to the consulate with any provider |
| Total | $340, everything covered | $435–$640, plus photo and shipping |
| When you pay | Nothing upfront. You pay after your visa and passport are back, so you can change your mind anytime. | Usually upfront: once you pay, you’re committed, and refunds are hard to get |
Compare the same visa type, preparation support, and delivery arrangements. Published prices vary: China Visa Service Center lists a $185 regular service fee, while Travel Visa Pro’s four-week pricing card lists service from $299 plus government fees. Travel Visa Pro also lists photo service in its included VIP Lite package and advertises lower starting prices elsewhere on that page. Confirm the package that applies to you. These examples were checked September 20, 2026; they do not establish a universal price range or a lowest-price guarantee.
Our value combines one flat service price, included digital photo preparation and passport shipping, local passport coordination, and payment after your visa and passport are back.
A phone photo at home. No studio appointment required.
You can send us a clear phone photo or selfie taken against a plain white wall. Digital photo preparation is included in our $200 standard service fee. We check, crop, and format your image for the application, so you do not need to visit our office or pay us a separate photo-preparation charge.
- Face the camera straight on, with your full head and shoulders visible. Having someone else hold the phone can help avoid selfie distortion.
- Use even lighting and a plain white background; avoid shadows, blur, filters, and beauty effects.
- Keep the original image quality. If the photo cannot meet the application requirements, we will explain how to retake it.
If an agency quote requires a paid studio visit, include that cost and the trip in your comparison. Our service does not require a professional studio photo, but every image still needs to meet the visa application’s photo requirements.
Avoid surprises: compare the full quote
A service-fee headline is only one part of the total. Ask whether these items are included, optional, or required for your case:
- Photos: taking, cropping, formatting, printing, or retaking the image. Our standard digital photo preparation is included.
- Delivery: outbound and return shipping, courier upgrades, or local handoff. Our standard passport shipping is included.
- Application work: form completion, document checks, printing, corrections, and resubmission.
- Extras: rush handling, translation, notarization, payment processing, or optional concierge services.
We confirm the scope, service fee, government charge, and any applicable extras in writing before starting. A disclosed optional charge is not a hidden fee; the goal is to know the complete price before you commit.
When do I pay?
You receive your visa and passport back before paying our service fee. Our standard workflow also settles the applicable government-fee reimbursement after return. We agree the price and scope before starting. Read the payment and passport-return policy for scope and exceptions.
How much time should I allow?
| Stage | Planning guidance | What can add time |
|---|---|---|
| Document preparation | Depends on how complete the records are | Missing prior passports, unclear scans, invitation changes, or a child’s family records. |
| Online preliminary review | Leave room for review and corrections | The consulate may request another document or a revised answer. |
| Passport submission and consular review | Consulate lists 4 business days regular; 2–3 for urgent express | Those reference times start at passport submission. Additional review can take longer. |
| Collection and return | Confirm the next available handoff | Travel, delivery arrangements, weekends, and holidays. |
For our normal service, plan around 3–4 weeks from complete uploads as a working estimate, not a deadline. The internal service workflow includes local coordination and passport return, which is why it is longer than the consulate’s published processing time. Ask us to assess urgent travel before choosing an expedited option.
A useful timeline starts with your real constraints
- Tell us your intended departure date and any earlier trip that needs the same passport.
- Say whether you already have a Chinese visa or a COVA application in progress.
- Identify missing documents before choosing a handoff date.
- Keep flexibility for a correction request and confirm pickup before traveling to meet us.
A review saying “ten days” may describe a single customer’s passport stage rather than the entire application. Do not use someone else’s turnaround as your own departure plan.
Common cost and timing questions
Does paying for express guarantee my flight date?
No. We can assess options and prioritize our preparation work, but the consulate controls its review and decision.
Are flights and hotel reservations needed before I start?
For U.S.-based tourist applications, the current simplified document rules generally remove those bookings from the standard checklist. Individual requests can differ. See the tourist guide.
Can I start if my old Chinese visa is still valid?
Check whether it remains usable first. Read the old-passport guide before starting another application.
Sources and review date
Service arrangements are provided by Seattle Chinese Visa LLC. Consular requirements were checked September 20, 2026. Follow current official instructions for your individual case.
Start with your travel plan
Tell us your residence, citizenship, travel purpose, and target dates. We will explain the scope and preparation checklist. Do not include passport numbers or document images in the public inquiry form.