China to USA: B1/B2 Visa Guide, Money Tips & Complete Travel Planning

Visa requirements

Flights from China to United States

Money, cards & forex fees

ATMs in United States

Top cities in United States

US visa for Chinese passport holders: B1/B2 and the reciprocity rule

Chinese nationals require a B1/B2 Tourist/Business Visa to enter the United States. China is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, and unlike most B1/B2 applicants who receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa, Chinese nationals receive only a 1-year validity visa under a US–China bilateral reciprocity arrangement (the USA mirrors the 1-year validity that China imposes on US visitors). Within that 1-year validity, multiple entries are permitted with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit. The practical implication: if you receive a US visa today and want to visit the USA again in 14 months, you need to reapply for a new visa. Applications are made at the US Embassy Beijing or US Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, or Shenyang. The process involves completing the DS-160 form, paying the $185 fee, scheduling an appointment (waits at Shanghai and Beijing consulates can be 2–8 weeks — sometimes longer), attending for biometrics and an interview, and awaiting the decision. Approval rates for Chinese B1/B2 applicants are broadly reasonable for well-documented applications from professionals and business people with clear China ties. The central question the officer must answer: does this person have sufficient reasons to return to China? Strong answers include steady high-paying employment, spouse and children in China, property ownership, and established business interests.

Applying for a US B1/B2 visa from China: step by step

Step 1: Complete DS-160 at ceac.state.gov. Note: The US Embassy website is accessible in China, but the general internet restrictions may make the experience slow — use a stable connection or a work VPN (if your employer provides one for legitimate business use). The form requires employment history, travel history, addresses for the past 5 years, education, and security questions. Upload your photo in the required format. Step 2: Pay the $185 MRV application fee. In China, payment is made via Bank of China or other designated institutions — check the embassy website for current payment instructions. Step 3: Register and schedule your appointment at the appropriate US Consulate website. Select the consulate closest to you (Shanghai for Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai; Guangzhou for Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan; Chengdu for southwest China; Shenyang for northeast China; Beijing for the rest). Step 4: Gather your documents thoroughly. Step 5: Attend biometrics and interview appointments. Dress professionally. Step 6: After the interview, check your case status online. If approved, your passport is returned via courier with the visa stamped. Check the validity dates carefully — only 1 year validity due to reciprocity.

Document checklist for Chinese US visa applicants

The document package for a Chinese B1/B2 application needs to comprehensively address the officer's core question: do you have strong reasons to return to China? Financial documents: 6 months of bank statements from Chinese banks (ICBC, CCB, BOC, CMB, ABC) showing consistent income and healthy savings. Salary slips or salary certificate from employer. For business owners: business license (营业执照), company financial statements, personal tax declarations. Employment proof: official employment letter on company letterhead confirming position, salary, and leave approval dates. Property documents: real estate ownership certificate (房产证 or 不动产权证书) for any owned property in China. Family ties: household register (户口本) showing family composition, spouse's documents, children's documents. If visiting family in the USA, their immigration status proof (green card, citizenship certificate). Travel details: confirmed return flight, US accommodation booking. Prior visa history: any previous US visa stamps in old passports. For students: enrollment letter from Chinese university, academic transcripts. Tip: organise all documents in a clear folder. Officers at Chinese consulates see hundreds of applications daily — an organised, complete package makes a good impression and speeds the review.

Best flights from China to the USA

China's three major carriers — Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern — all operate direct transatlantic routes to the USA, though services have fluctuated with geopolitical and pandemic-related factors. As of 2026, direct China–USA routes operate with weekly or daily frequencies: Air China from Beijing (PEK) to Los Angeles LAX, San Francisco SFO, New York JFK, Chicago ORD, and Houston IAH. China Eastern from Shanghai (PVG) to Los Angeles LAX, San Francisco SFO, New York JFK, Seattle SEA. China Southern from Guangzhou (CAN) to Los Angeles LAX, New York JFK. Flight times: Shanghai or Beijing to New York approximately 13–14 hours (polar route). To Los Angeles approximately 11–12 hours. Economy fares start around $700–950 return during non-peak periods; peak summer and Chinese New Year periods can see prices double. Business class on Chinese carriers has improved significantly in recent years but remains behind Emirates or Qatar on product quality. US carriers Delta and United also fly direct: Delta from Shanghai and Beijing to Seattle, Detroit, Los Angeles; United from Beijing and Shanghai to San Francisco, Newark, Chicago. US carriers typically offer slightly higher fares but better in-flight entertainment for Western content.

Top US cities for Chinese travellers

New York City has the largest Chinese diaspora population outside Asia — Flushing in Queens is extraordinary, with a concentration of authentic Chinese regional restaurants (Sichuan, Shanghainese, Northeastern Chinese, Yunnan) that competes seriously with what you find in Chengdu or Shanghai. The Flushing Mall underground food court is legendary. Manhattan Chinatown (Canal Street area) is more touristy but still authentic for Cantonese food and street shopping. Los Angeles' San Gabriel Valley is the second great Chinese-American culinary hub — Monterey Park, Alhambra, and San Gabriel have world-class Cantonese, Shanghainese, Sichuan, and northern Chinese restaurants. Many Chinese visitors base themselves in San Gabriel Valley rather than central LA. San Francisco's Chinatown (the oldest in the USA) sits in the heart of the city and offers a more historic than culinary experience, but the broader Bay Area's Chinese community in Fremont, Cupertino, and the South Bay is vast. Silicon Valley is home to many Chinese-Americans who work at Apple, Google, Meta, and countless startups — visiting friends or family in the South Bay is a common trip purpose. Las Vegas has strongly courted Chinese visitors — many casinos have Mandarin-speaking staff, Chinese New Year celebrations, and Chinese restaurant options.

UnionPay in the USA: what Chinese travellers need to know

UnionPay is the world's largest card network by number of cards issued, but its acceptance in the USA is more limited than Visa or Mastercard. The good news: major US bank ATMs — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank — all accept UnionPay cards, and many large retail chains do too. The UnionPay acceptance has grown significantly since 2015. For ATM withdrawals, your Chinese UnionPay card will work at most major bank ATMs. The cost: Chinese bank's cross-border fee (typically 1.5% for ICBC, CCB, BOC) plus the US ATM operator surcharge ($3–5). On a $200 withdrawal, total fees are approximately $6–8 — reasonable by international standards. For point-of-sale payments, acceptance varies. Most large US retailers (Walmart, Target, major supermarkets, department stores) and many restaurants accept UnionPay. Smaller businesses, food trucks, and some older terminals may not recognise UnionPay. Having a Wise card (Visa/Mastercard) as a backup is strongly recommended. Important: WeChat Pay and Alipay are NOT universally accepted in the USA. You will find some Chinatown restaurants and a handful of tech-forward businesses that accept them, but do not rely on them for daily spending. The Wise card is the most versatile payment solution for Chinese visitors to the USA.

Best travel cards for Chinese travellers spending in USD

The card payment landscape for Chinese visitors to the USA requires some planning. Your standard UnionPay debit card from a major Chinese bank (ICBC, CCB, BOC, ABC, CMB) will work at US bank ATMs and major retailers, charging approximately 1.5% on transactions. This is actually lower than many international cards, but the combination of ATM surcharges and transaction fees adds up. Better alternatives: Wise Multi-Currency Card is the cleanest solution. Load CNY via international transfer (within your annual CNY 50,000 LRS equivalent), convert to USD at mid-market rate, and spend from the USD balance with zero transaction fees. Wise issues a Visa/Mastercard — universally accepted in the USA. Bank of China offers a USD pre-loaded card (中银全币种卡) that functions as a US-dollar prepaid card — ideal for loading USD before departure and spending without conversion costs. ICBC's Global Travel Card (ICBC多币种卡) is available at ICBC branches and holds balances in multiple currencies including USD. Note: annual CNY foreign exchange purchase limits (equivalent to $50,000 USD per person per year) apply under SAFE regulations — plan your travel budget within this limit.

How much does a US trip cost from China?

The CNY/USD exchange rate (approximately 7.2–7.3 CNY per USD in mid-2026) is an important planning factor. New York City: return economy flight from Beijing/Shanghai CNY 6,000–8,000 (booked well in advance). Hotel in NYC: $200–280/night (CNY 1,440–2,000). Food: $60–80/day for a couple at decent restaurants (CNY 430–580). Activities: $50–100/day (CNY 360–720). Total for 7-night NYC trip for a couple: approximately CNY 22,000–32,000 including flights. This is broadly comparable to a similar trip to Europe for a mainland Chinese traveller in cost terms. For families: US theme parks (Disneyland, Disney World, Universal) are significant costs — $130–200 per person per day for park entry alone. Popular Chinese visitor activities like Grand Canyon helicopter tours ($450–600/person), Las Vegas shows ($100–300/person), and Niagara Falls trips add quickly. Shopping: many Chinese visitors shop extensively in the USA — luxury goods, name-brand electronics, and outlet shopping (Woodbury Common in NY, Cabazon Outlets in CA) are major draws. US luxury goods are often 20–30% cheaper than in China after tax.

Cryptocurrency and digital payments in the USA for Chinese visitors

For Chinese visitors, the USA's internet and digital payment landscape is fundamentally different from home — and in some ways liberating. All websites accessible in China (no Great Firewall restrictions) and US-based apps work freely. Bitcoin ATMs are plentiful at 30,000+ locations. China's domestic crypto ban means visitors may be unfamiliar with how to use BTMs, but the process is straightforward: insert cash, scan a wallet QR code, receive crypto. Or the reverse. BTM fees of 8–15% make them poor value for routine transactions. The biggest practical challenge for Chinese visitors is WeChat Pay and Alipay non-acceptance outside Chinatown areas. Unlike in China where these apps are the default payment method for everything, the USA runs on Visa/Mastercard card payments. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay work at US terminals using your linked international card (your UnionPay card may or may not work with Apple Pay in the USA — Visa/Mastercard on Wise or Bank of China USD card will work reliably). Download and set up Wise or load your Bank of China USD card before you leave China — this is the most reliable payment setup for Chinese visitors to the USA.

Arriving in the USA from China: CBP interview and first hours

Chinese passport holders with B1/B2 visas go through standard immigration queues at US airports. Wait times can be 45–90 minutes at peak times at JFK, LAX, and SFO, which receive many direct flights from China. The CBP officer will ask about the purpose and duration of your visit and verify your visa. Be concise — say where you are staying, how long you are visiting, and what you plan to do. Biometrics are taken on first entry. Important: your US B1/B2 visa is 1-year validity — check that it has not expired. Also verify your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov within 24 hours; Chinese visitors should ensure the authorised 90-day stay is correctly recorded. At customs: declare all food items from China. Chinese snacks, dried foods, meats (even vacuum-packed), and fresh produce are subject to confiscation. The USDA takes agricultural biosecurity extremely seriously. Cash over $10,000 USD must be declared. On your first morning in the USA: enjoy the internet freedom — open YouTube, Google Maps, Instagram, and all the apps that are blocked at home. Download Google Maps (with offline maps for your US cities), Uber, and Yelp. Get your T-Mobile tourist SIM from the airport or a T-Mobile store. And head to the nearest Chinatown for your first meal — you will feel at home immediately.

On-arrival tips

• 1Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and all Western apps work in the USA without any VPN — enjoy unrestricted internet access
• 2WeChat Pay and Alipay are not accepted at most US retailers — bring your UnionPay card and Wise card as primary payment methods
• 3Some NYC, LA, and San Francisco Chinatown businesses accept WeChat Pay — helpful for smaller purchases
• 4The US B1/B2 visa for Chinese nationals is only 1-year validity due to reciprocity — plan to reapply if you want to return after more than a year
• 5CBP officers may ask about your employer, business activities, and intended activities in the USA — be clear and concise
• 6If you own real estate or other assets in China, carrying basic documentation (property certificate photo on phone) helps demonstrate ties to China