Which Chinese Consulate
Should I Use?

Your Chinese consulate is determined by the state where you currently reside — not where you're traveling in China. Use the state lookup tool above to confirm your consulate in seconds.

Consulate jurisdiction is based entirely on your current US state of residence — not your destination in China. A resident of Nevada applies through the San Francisco Consulate regardless of whether they're visiting Beijing or Shanghai.

Choosing the wrong consulate on COVA can result in processing delays, a request to resubmit your application, or rejection at the consulate. Always confirm your correct consulate before submitting COVA — it cannot easily be changed after submission. If unsure, email Mandy first.

ChinaVisaMail currently serves all Western US states under the San Francisco Consulate (Northern California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming) and Los Angeles Consulate (Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico). For states outside these jurisdictions, email Mandy at Mandy@ChinaVisaMail.com to confirm options.

If you live in Southern California (the 10 southern counties of California as defined by the PRC), your consulate is the Los Angeles Consulate at 500 Shatto Place, Koreatown. If you live in Northern California, your consulate is the San Francisco Consulate. If you're unsure which part of California you fall under, email Mandy with your city.

Yes. If you reside in Northern California — including the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, and surrounding areas — you apply through the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco. ChinaVisaMail handles SF Consulate drop-off and pickup for Northern California residents.

Yes. Effective June 29, 2024, Utah and Colorado were officially moved from the Chicago Consulate jurisdiction to the Los Angeles Consulate jurisdiction. Utah and Colorado residents now apply through the LA Consulate — not Chicago. ChinaVisaMail serves both states through its LA Consulate drop-off service.

If you're confident your state is covered by the SF or LA Consulate jurisdictions shown on this page, you can proceed directly. If you're unsure — for example, if you split time between states or recently moved — email Mandy at Mandy@ChinaVisaMail.com before submitting COVA to confirm your correct consulate.

No. ChinaVisaMail is a mail-in consulate drop-off service. You complete COVA online, save passport photos, then mail your passport with USPS tracking. Mandy handles consulate drop-off and pickup on your behalf. You never need to visit the consulate in person.

Yes. Once your COVA application shows "Passport to be Submitted" status (typically 4–15 business days after applying online), you're cleared to mail your passport. Use USPS 2-Day Priority Mail with tracking, keep your tracking number, and photograph your passport and any existing China visa pages before mailing. ChinaVisaMail confirms receipt the same business day it arrives.