CVSC Passport & Visa -- San Francisco

I haven't used their service yet, but I probably will based on a call with them. Just by talking with them over the phone, you can tell that they know what they're doing. Everyone knows that visiting a consulate can be a very frustrating experience. If you can forget about that hassle by paying someone to do that for you, why not do it?

Wonderful service with CVSC which contrasts from the awful and slow service at the SF Chinese consulate (besides the security guards who have really nice in past visits). CVSC was quick to get things done, even with the cheapest option, and they were quick to contact me when challenges arose. Those challenges would have added at least another full day for me if I were to go to the consulate myself. Not the cheapest service in the world, but no doubt in its value!

Quick and safe. We used CVSC multiple time, very good.

After reading all of the negative reviews of long lines and hours of waiting with only 2 agents working the counter at the China Consulate, I decided to go to the China Visa Service Center (CVSC) which is only 2.5 blocks up from the Consulate. I went there on a Monday at 9: 30 a.m. And found parking in front of their building. There were no lines, yet a nice gentleman to answer all of my questions and put my paperwork in order. It was the easiest and most non-stressful experience. I was out of there in less than 15 minutes!

My situation required 24-hour turnaround, because I was leaving in 4 days to Shanghai, therefore I opted for "emergency" and FedEx service to my home. By the way, I chose FedEx service, because I live in Danville, and this alleviated another physical trip to the city, however you can pick up in person. Everything was submitted to CVSC on a Monday morning before 10: 30 a.m. (their cut-off time for courier service pick up for the China Consulate each day), and they kept me updated with Visa approval and FedEx service via email each step of the way. I received my visa on Wednesday.

CVSC Service Fee: Emergency Service (24 hr rush) = $269
FedEx Overnight = $35
Consular Fee for Emergency Service = $170
Processing Fee = $10.03

CVSC is located at 1610 Post Street, Suite 303, San Francisco (in Japan town).

Very well organized company. Customer is informed of progress by email all the time. Highly recommended.

This was an excellent service. At first I was going to secure two Chinese tourist Visas (me and my girlfriend) myself since I was travelling to SF anyway. I filled out the forms using advice from the Internet, but I wasn't certain every value was correct, especially since I desired the 10-year multi-entry visa. I went to the China Consulate in SF and waited in the security line outside for 45 minutes. Then I was given a number 121 when they were still serving #44 after being open 1.5 hours by that point. Rather than face a multi-hour wait, followed by at least an hour a few days later to pick up my visa (that one is shorter), I just walked over to CVSC. They charged $99 each for the service, plus $29 to mail our two passports back to our house in Washington State. Plus the normal $140 fee (each) charged by the Consulate. There were no hidden fees. I went to their office on a Tuesday and they had our Visas the following Monday (one day earlier than promised), and they arrived at our door Tuesday. Keep in mind that they used FedEX without a signature requirement, so have them mail it to a secure place. If you are already splurging on luxury flight or accommodations for your China trip, the CVSC charge doesn't add much and is an easy choice. The only time I might not use them would be a tight-budget trip where I had more free time than money available and also lived near San Francisco.