CHINA VISA GUIDE — COVA ONLINE APPLICATION WALKTHROUGH
中国签证在线申请系统（COVA）填写指南
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WHAT IS COVA? 什么是COVA？
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COVA (China Online Visa Application, "普通签证在线预约") is the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular application portal used to
enter your visa application before submitting supporting documents
at a consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC).
Every visa applicant must complete a COVA submission first — it is
not optional and cannot be skipped.

COVA（中国签证在线申请系统）是中国外交部领事司的在线申请平台，
申请人需先在COVA系统中填写申请信息，再前往使领馆或中国签证申请
服务中心（CVASC）提交材料。所有签证申请人必须先完成COVA填报，
这一步骤不可省略。

STEP-BY-STEP WALKTHROUGH 分步指南
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STEP 1 — Create an account 第一步：注册账号
  Go to the official portal (search "COVA 中国签证在线申请" or
  visit your consulate's website for the correct regional link — the
  system is region-specific). Register with a valid email address.
  Use a personal email you check regularly; all appointment and
  status notifications are sent there.

  访问官方COVA门户（搜索"COVA 中国签证在线申请"或通过您所在地
  使领馆官网获取对应链接，系统按地区划分）。使用常用有效邮箱注册，
  预约及进度通知均发送至该邮箱。

STEP 2 — Select application type 第二步：选择申请类型
  Choose "Individual Application" for most first-time travelers.
  Group and agency applications use a different flow — only select
  those if a travel agency instructed you to.

  首次申请者请选择"个人申请"。团体及旅行社代办申请流程不同，
  仅在旅行社明确要求时选择。

STEP 3 — Fill in personal information 第三步：填写个人信息
  Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport —
  spelling mismatches are the #1 cause of rejected applications.
  Double check:
    - Full name (no nicknames or abbreviations)
    - Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
    - Date and place of birth

  请严格按照护照上的信息填写，姓名拼写错误是申请被拒的首要原因。
  务必核对：
    - 姓名全称（不可使用昵称或简写）
    - 护照号码、签发日期及有效期
    - 出生日期及出生地

STEP 4 — Select visa type and purpose 第四步：选择签证类型及目的
  Match your visa type to the purpose of travel (tourism = L,
  family visit = Q, business = M/F, work = Z, study = X). If unsure,
  use the China Visa Guide screening wizard on chinavisadiy.com
  before starting COVA — this avoids having to restart the form.

  根据出行目的选择对应签证类型（旅游=L，探亲=Q，商务=M/F，工作=Z，
  留学=X）。如不确定，请先使用chinavisadiy.com上的签证类型筛查
  工具，避免填写后需要重新开始。

STEP 5 — Enter travel history & 5-year work/education history
第五步：填写旅行历史及近5年工作/教育经历
  COVA requires a detailed history of countries visited in the last
  year and your employment/education for the past 5 years. Have your
  old passports and a resume/CV on hand before starting — this
  section takes the longest to complete accurately.

  COVA要求填写近一年内到访国家，以及近5年的工作/教育经历。建议
  提前准备好旧护照和个人简历，这部分内容耗时最长，请确保信息准确。

STEP 6 — Upload your photo 第六步：上传照片
  Upload a digital photo meeting the exact specification: 33mm x
  48mm, white background, taken within the last 6 months, no glasses
  with glare, neutral expression, full face visible. Photos that
  don't meet spec are the #2 cause of delays.

  上传符合规格的电子照片：33mm x 48mm，白色背景，6个月内拍摄，
  避免眼镜反光，表情自然，面部完整清晰可见。照片不合规是申请
  延误的第二大原因。

STEP 7 — Review and submit 第七步：核对并提交
  Review every section carefully — COVA does not allow easy editing
  after submission in most jurisdictions. Once submitted, you will
  receive a confirmation with an application form reference number.

  提交前请仔细核对每一部分内容——大多数地区COVA提交后无法轻易
  修改。提交成功后会收到确认信息及申请表编号。

STEP 8 — Print your application form 第八步：打印申请表
  Print the generated application form (usually a PDF with a barcode
  or QR code). This printed form is required at your in-person
  appointment along with your passport and supporting documents.

  打印系统生成的申请表（通常为带条形码或二维码的PDF文件）。
  该打印件需与护照及其他材料一并在预约现场提交。

STEP 9 — Book your appointment 第九步：预约递交材料
  Most consulates and CVASC locations require a scheduled appointment
  to submit your physical documents. Book this as early as possible —
  popular locations can be fully booked 1–2 weeks out during peak
  season.

  大多数使领馆及签证中心要求预约后才能现场递交材料。请尽早预约，
  旺季热门地点可能提前1-2周被约满。

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID 常见错误提醒
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  - Name spelling that doesn't match the passport exactly
    姓名拼写与护照不一致
  - Selecting the wrong visa category for your travel purpose
    选择的签证类别与出行目的不符
  - Incomplete 5-year work/education history
    近5年工作/教育经历填写不完整
  - Photo doesn't meet the 33mm x 48mm specification
    照片不符合33mm x 48mm规格要求
  - Forgetting to print the final application form before the
    appointment
    预约前忘记打印最终申请表

This guide is general orientation, not official instructions from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Screens and steps in the live COVA
system may change — always follow the live on-screen instructions
and your consulate's current guidance. See chinavisadiy.com for
official source links.

本指南为一般性说明，并非外交部官方操作指引。COVA系统实际页面及
步骤可能有所调整，请以系统实时提示及使领馆最新要求为准。官方
信息来源链接请见chinavisadiy.com网站。
