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Chinese Passport Renewal in USA (中国领事 APP) 2026

Country-specific renewal information, document guidance, fees, processing considerations, and U.S.-based consular submission information.

Consular Authority Info

Official Processing Authority:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China / Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the USA

2026 Official Consular Fee Schedule

Service Category / Delivery OptionPassport FeeMailing FeeTotal Fee (USD)
Postal Submission & Return (Two-Way Mailing)$18.00$5.00$23.00
In-Person Fingerprint & Collection$18.00$0.00$18.00

• Payment Methods: When paid online via WeChat in the China Consular App, the order shows the paid amount; do not mail an extra check. For postal submission with offline payment, provide a Money Order or Cashier's Check for exactly $23 payable to 'Chinese Embassy'. Personal checks are not accepted.
• In-Person Refund: When collecting in person, the $5 mailing fee does not apply. If $23 was paid in the App, the $5 portion is refunded to WeChat after collection.

🚀 Step-by-Step Application Process

1
Confirm Consular JurisdictionDetermine which Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General covers your U.S. state of residence.
2
Submit Online Application in 中国领事 AppDownload the App, select passport renewal/re-issue, enter particulars, upload digital photo & status documents, and complete facial recognition.
3
Select Processing RouteChoose in-person fingerprint collection (for biometric e-passport) or two-way mailing if eligible/remote.
4
Wait for Status TriggerFor mailing: wait until status reaches '复审中' (Under Review). For in-person: wait for '待到馆办理' (Pending In-Person Processing) and book appointment.
5
Submit Physical Documents & PaymentMail or bring old passport, order screenshot, 2 photos, payment ($23 money order if offline), and USPS return envelope.
6
Fingerprint Capture (if in-person)Attend the consular office at the scheduled appointment time for biometric fingerprint capture.
7
Receive New PassportYour new passport and cancelled old passport are delivered via your prepaid USPS envelope or collected in person.

📋 Document Checklist

The following documents are required for this country's renewal application. Confirm specific requirements before submitting originals.

Current Chinese passport (Mandatory)Original current passport to be cancelled and returned with the new passport.
China Consular App order screenshot (Mandatory)Printed screenshot of order showing '复审中' (for mailing) or '待到馆办理' (for in-person appointment).
Two physical passport photographs (Mandatory)Two recent colour, front-facing, bareheaded, half-length photos on glossy paper matching consular specs.
Proof of U.S. legal status (Mandatory)Green Card, valid U.S. visa, EAD card, I-20, or other lawful residence documentation.
Prepaid USPS tracked return envelope (For postal route)Self-addressed prepaid USPS Priority/Express Mail envelope with tracking number retained.
Payment instrument ($23 Money Order / Cashier's Check) (If not paid via WeChat in App)Payable to 'Chinese Embassy' for exact $23 amount (do not sign back of check).

Consular Application Centers (VFS ICAC)

Applicants must file under the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General covering their state of residence.

Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.2201 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20007
Chinese Consulate General in New York520 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Chinese Consulate General in Chicago100 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco1450 Laguna St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles443 Shatto Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Critical Consular Guidelines & Warnings
  • Do not mail physical documents before the App order status explicitly reaches '复审中'.
  • Do not confuse '复审中' (two-way mailing) with '待到馆办理' (in-person appointment required).
  • Total fee is $23 for postal service ($18 processing + $5 mailing) or $18 for in-person collection.
  • Never send personal checks or cash — offline payments require a Money Order or Cashier's Check payable to 'Chinese Embassy'.
  • Do not sign the back of the Money Order or Cashier's Check.
Safe Filing Guidelines

Before submitting a physical passport, keep secure copies of your passport identification page, relevant U.S. immigration documents and any visa pages that you may need for your records.

Use only the payment method, payee name and payment instructions specified by the issuing government's official embassy, consulate or authorized service provider for the particular application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The base passport processing fee is $18.00 per person. If using the two-way postal service, a $5.00 mailing service fee applies, making the total $23.00. Applicants collecting the passport in person pay $18.00 (the $5 mailing portion is refunded if prepaid in WeChat).

All applications must first be submitted digitally through the official 中国领事 (China Consular) App. Applicants who are eligible for or need the two-way mailing route can mail physical materials after the App order status changes to '复审中' (Under Review).

Not necessarily. The U.S. system provides an in-person fingerprint route (for an electronic passport with biometric chip) and a two-way mailing route for applicants who cannot attend due to distance, age, illness, or disability.

For the mailing process, do not mail the physical materials immediately upon submitting the App form. Wait until the order status changes to '复审中' (Under Review) before mailing your passport, order slip, photos, and USPS tracking return envelope.

For postal submission with offline payment, provide a Money Order or Cashier's Check for exactly $23.00 payable to 'Chinese Embassy'. Personal checks and cash are strictly not accepted. Do not sign the back of the money order.

The old passport is cancelled (with holes punched or stamps) and returned to you with the new passport. Valid foreign visas (such as a U.S. visa) in the cancelled passport remain valid according to the issuing country's rules; carry both passports when traveling.

Have questions about valid U.S. visas in expired passports, postal safety, or state DMV rules?

⬆️ Refer to FAQ Section Above
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Guide At-A-Glance
Listed Fees$23.00 USD per person (Mail) | $18.00 USD per person (In-Person)
Listed Processing TimeFollow the status in the China Consular App (no universal 2-to-4-week guarantee).
Listed Submission Method中国领事 (China Consular) App (Online + In-Person Fingerprints OR Two-Way Mailing)
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