It is suggested to apply for Chinese visa no later than three months prior to travel. As we all known, the more time that you could allow for processing of application the better you’ll get a result. This will make sure that you can get your Chinese visa in time even if there are some delays in the mail, or at Chinese consular and at the application office. However, if your China trip is unexpected, and there will be less than three months to do the application, and then you can make an expediting application by paid the certain expediting fee.