August 15, 2026 · 10-Year Visa Compensation

Expired Pre-2020 10-Year China Visa: Who Can Request the Free 3-Year Compensation Visa?

Some U.S. citizens whose qualifying multi-year visas were suspended during COVID may choose a fee-free three-year multi-entry compensation visa after expiration instead of a normally charged new ten-year visa.

Direct answer: A U.S. citizen may request the three-year compensation visa only if the old document fits the official program: it was a multi-year, multiple-entry visa issued by Chinese authorities abroad before March 28, 2020 under the bilateral reciprocity arrangement, and its use was suspended between March 28, 2020 and March 14, 2023. The old visa should be expired before the compensation application. No compensation is available for that original visa if a new multi-year, multiple-entry visa or Chinese residence permit was issued after March 28, 2020. Eligible applicants may choose a fee-free three-year multiple-entry visa or give up compensation and pay normally for a new ten-year visa; either path still requires a new COVA application and the ordinary documents for the requested category.

Run the four-part eligibility check

First, confirm the applicant is a U.S. citizen. Second, inspect the old visa itself for the issue date, validity and multiple-entry annotation. Third, verify that it was issued before March 28, 2020 by a Chinese authority abroad under the reciprocal multi-year arrangement. Fourth, review the applicant's records after that date for any newly issued multi-year multiple-entry visa or Chinese residence permit, which removes compensation for the original visa.

Do not assume every visa that happened to be valid during the pandemic qualifies. A single-entry visa, a short-validity visa, a document issued after the cutoff or a visa outside the stated reciprocal program does not satisfy the published wording. Keep a full scan of the old passport bio page and visa label before starting COVA.

Choose between three-year compensation and a new ten-year application

The official arrangement gives an eligible applicant a choice after the old visa expires. The compensation option is a three-year multiple-entry visa without the normal visa charge. The alternative is to waive compensation and request a new ten-year multiple-entry visa with the normal charge. The notice does not promise that every requested stay length, category or validity detail will be issued exactly as entered in COVA.

Consider the actual travel pattern, current passport validity and category before choosing. A person who expects only a few trips may value the compensation option, while someone seeking a fresh long-term document may prefer the normally charged ten-year request. eChinaVisa service and shipping charges are separate from any government visa-fee treatment and should never be represented as waived by the government notice.

Apply only after the old visa reaches the right stage

The Embassy says applicants may choose compensation after the old visa expires. It also says same-category applications are not accepted while an existing ten-year multiple-entry visa remains valid for more than six months. Do not cancel or damage a still-usable visa merely to accelerate compensation. Check the printed “Enter Before” date and plan the new application window around a real future trip.

Complete the new COVA application under the genuine purpose—such as L, M, Q2 or S2—and upload the ordinary category evidence plus the old visa record. Use the additional-declaration area to identify the compensation request clearly and factually. If the responsible office supplies its own form or wording, follow that instruction rather than copying an unofficial community template.

Expect normal review even when the visa charge is waived

The compensation notice expressly requires the normal visa procedure and document requirements. COVA preliminary review, supplemental requests, passport submission and the final consular decision still apply. Fee treatment is not approval, and a previous ten-year visa does not guarantee the same category, entries, stay length or a new compensation visa.

eChinaVisa can audit the old visa against the eligibility dates, compare the two options, prepare category documents and COVA, identify the compensation request, follow preliminary review and coordinate passport return. We cannot establish eligibility without the underlying visa record, waive unrelated charges, or guarantee that the Visa Office will approve the requested visa.

Frequently asked questions

Can I request compensation while my old ten-year visa is still valid?

The notice says compensation may be requested after expiration and that same-category applications are not accepted when the existing ten-year visa has more than six months remaining.

Is the compensation another ten-year visa?

No. The compensation option is a three-year multiple-entry visa. An eligible applicant may instead waive compensation and request a normally charged new ten-year visa.

Does a post-March 2020 residence permit affect eligibility?

Yes. The official arrangement says no compensation is provided for the original visa if a new multi-year multiple-entry visa or residence permit was issued after March 28, 2020.

Related guides

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eChinaVisa can help identify the visa category, pre-review documents, prepare and check COVA, follow online preliminary review, and coordinate passport submission and return. We are an independent application assistance service, not a government website or government agency; approval, validity, entries and official processing time are decided by Chinese authorities.

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Sources

eChinaVisa is an independent visa application assistance service operated by Dragon Byte Design Inc. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any Chinese embassy or consulate.