Where Is the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco?
The Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco handles visas at 1450 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. The visa office entrance is on Geary Boulevard. It is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and closed on weekends and holidays.
The visa section answers phone inquiries at (415) 919-6008, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, except holidays (per the Consulate's website). Check the Consulate's site for holiday closures before you go.
Which States Does the San Francisco Consulate Serve?
The San Francisco Consulate handles China visas for residents of Northern California, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. California is split between San Francisco and Los Angeles by county, so check your county if you live in California. You must apply at the office that serves your state, even if another one is closer.
The Consulate also notes that applicants who are not physically in the United States cannot apply at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the U.S.
How to Apply at the San Francisco Consulate
- Complete COVA online at consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/, choosing San Francisco as your Consulate.
- Wait for "Passport to be Submitted." That status means the online preliminary review is done.
- Submit your passport in person with the printed application information page (with barcode) and any originals required. The visa office doesn't accept applications by mail.
- Pick up your passport when the visa is ready.
So applying yourself means two weekday trips during visa office hours: one to submit and one to collect.
Can Someone Else Submit for Me?
Yes. The San Francisco Consulate says you may submit in person or entrust someone else or an agency to submit for you, and that submission and pickup can be done by the applicant or others. ChinaVisaMail is an independent service that does this for you; it is not the Consulate or an official visa center. Read more: Can someone else submit my China visa application?
Processing Time and Fees
- Regular processing: 4 business days.
- Express processing: 2–3 business days, for urgent cases.
The Consulate says these times are averages, for reference only, counted from the day the passport is submitted; some applications take longer. Reduced visa fees are in effect through December 31, 2026 — $140 for U.S. citizens for any entry type. With ChinaVisaMail, that fee is already included in our total price.
Skip Both Trips with ChinaVisaMail
You mail your passport (or, in the Bay Area, book home or office pickup for +$98) and ChinaVisaMail arranges the in-person submission at 1450 Laguna Street, the pickup, and the tracked return. Standard is $449 and Express is $494 per person, total — see pricing. Payment is not required before mailing your passport. You may pay before mailing or after we receive it, unless Mandy gives different instructions for your case.
Live in San Jose, Silicon Valley or elsewhere in the Bay Area? See our Bay Area China visa service. Other SF-jurisdiction guides: Seattle, Portland, Nevada, Alaska.
Apply Through the San Francisco Consulate by Mail
Mandy replies within 1–2 hours with your mailing instructions, payment options and a document checklist.
Apply Now →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the address of the Chinese Consulate visa office in San Francisco?
The visa office is at 1450 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, with its entrance on Geary Boulevard.
What are the San Francisco Chinese Consulate visa office hours?
Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, closed on weekends and holidays. Check the Consulate website for holiday closures.
Can I mail my visa application to the San Francisco Consulate?
No. The visa office does not accept applications by mail. You or someone you entrust, such as an agency, must submit and pick up in person. ChinaVisaMail does this for you, so you only mail your passport to us.
How long does the San Francisco Consulate take to process a visa?
About 4 business days for regular processing and 2–3 business days for express, counted from the day the passport is submitted. These are averages, not guarantees.