1 Actual passport, plus a photocopy of the name page

Passport should have sufficient validity left. Minimum 6 months validity beyond travel date is required for single entry visa, 12 months validity is required for multiple entry. If you need passport services, please visit our expedited passport services section.
Visa will be issued in the passport. Passport must have at least 2 blank visa pages. The last 3 pages in US passports are amendment pages, reserved by the US Department of State for amendment to the passport. They won't be acceptable for visas. If your passport has no blank visa pages left, you must renew your passport first. Please visit our expedited passport services section, if passport service is needed.
If you have a valid China visa in another passport, you will need to submit that passport together with the new passport when applying for a new visa. A photocopy of that visa and passport is also required.
Non-US passport holders must provide a notarized photocopy of the proof of legal stay or residence status in the US, such as Green Card or a valid long term US residence visa.

2 Proof of Residence

A photocopy of the driver's license or major utility bill with your name and address is required.

3 One recent passport-type photograph

Please refer to the link for Chinese visa photo specific requirement.
If you need help with the Chinese visa photo, you may check out this website: https://www.snap2pass.com/

Please choose the correct Chinese Consulate or Embassy which serves your state. More about jurisdiction.
Remarks: Do not click the "Confirm and Next " button at the end of the application form until it is finalized. Any further updates may not be saved properly after you click this button.
Please email us the Application ID and passport number for a pre-check before confirming and submission.
Error in uploading the photo is usually due to the background of the photo not white enough.
The Surname, Given Name MUST match exactly as shown in your passport's bio page. Given name is your first name + middle name as appear in your passport.
Gender, Date of birth, Nationality, Passport number, etc. must be exactly the same as shown in your passport.
All entries in the form must be filled in truthfully, accurately, and completely. Any mistakes or omissions will cause the visa application to be rejected.
* For Work Experience: position, duty, must be filled out completely. If your work experience is more than 5 years, at least 5 years of that should be provided.
* For Education: Please put down the highest education you have received.
* Spouse's address must be the current address including street, city, state, country.
* Entries that are "NOT APPLICABLE" need a statement to back up, and must be explained in detail.
Please print out and submit only single-sided pages of the application, not back to back.

Select the service type and level you need and provide your contact information and mailing address.
Multiple applicants can be entered using one service request form.

6 Payment for visa processing, service and shipping

Chose A Service Level	Time needed		All Fees
Chose A Service Level	Review and Prepare	Consular Processing	Embassy Fee	Service Fee
Regular Pre-check Only Service	5-10 days	N/A	N/A	From $149*
Express Pre-check Only Service	1-5 days	N/A	N/A	From $259*
Regular Service (Pre-check+Submission)	5-10 days	2 - 3 Weeks*	$185	From $249*
Express Service (Pre-check+Submission)	1-5 days	1 Week*	$210 - $222	From $349*

Service fees and schedules vary based on different consulates. Additional fee may apply for Q, S visa, some difficult jurisdictions and applications of Chinese descendants
Express Service possible with limited availability
Return Shipping Fee from $36 via FedEx will apply. If your return address is in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, shipping extra will apply.
Processing schedule posted is for reference purpose
Consular Processing Time is based on submission date. Consular Processing Time is subject to change without notice. (*)

Remarks:

Please email us the service request confirmation number once submitted.
We will email you a invoice for the payment.
You may pay service fee by credit card online. Credit card payment is subject to 3.6% surcharge.

8 Photocopy of Your Previous Chinese Visa

If you had multiple Chinese visa, please make a copy of your last one. If the visa is in a different passport, a photocopy of that passport's bio page is also needed.
If you have a valid China visa in another passport, you will need to submit that passport together with the new passport when applying for a new visa. A photocopy of that visa and passport is also required for pre-check.
If you had a multiple-entry 10 years Chinese visa which is not expired and you would like to quest for another multiple entry visa. Please complete and sign the Consent Form.

9 Round-trip flight and hotel confirmation OR invitation letter

Photocopy of round-trip flight confirmation. Please highlight your name.
Hotel confirmation with applicant name as guest for the whole duration. Please highlight your name.
Do not staple them together. Paper clip is fine.

If you are visiting someone in China and don't have hotel reservation, please provide an invitation letter.
Invitation letter must include the following items:
(a) Personal information of the application: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
(b) Information concerning the applicant's visit to China: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and leaving, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the inviter, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.
(c) Information of the inviter: name of the individual, phone number, address and signature of the inviter.
If an invitation letter is provided, a photocopy of inviting person's Chinese Identity card's (Shenfengzhen) both sides is required. If the inviter is not a Chinese citizen, a photocopy of the inviter's passport, together with a photocopy of inviter's China residence permit are required. If the inviter is holding Z visa, a copy of work permit card is also required.

What kind of flight and hotel confirmation is acceptable?

Please refer to the link below for samples and hints and guideline on how to comply with the new requirement:
http://www.visarite.com/China_Visa_New_Policy_FAQ.htm

A Additional requirement based on jurisdiction

Although the requirement for Chinese visa largely remains the same across different Chinese Consulates, there are some special rules pertaining to each different Consulate. Click here to see if there is additional requirement for your jurisdiction.

B Additional requirement for Chinese descendants

China Tourist Visa Application Requirements (L Visa)