2004 Press Release

U.S. Embassy in Beijing Extends the Term of Validity for B-1, B-2 Visas

January 6, 2005

The Embassy of the United States of America in Beijing is pleased to announce that beginning January 15, 2005, the U.S. embassy and four consulates in China, as well as U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, will begin issuing to otherwise qualified Chinese citizens, who wish to visit the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or pleasure (B-2), visas that are valid for 12 months and multiple entries. The previous maximum validity of U.S. visas for these purposes was six months.

On a reciprocal basis, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also agreed to issue to American citizens visiting China on temporary business and tourism visas valid for the same 12 months and for multiple entries. While China and the U.S. will in principle issue maximum validity visas to each others citizens, on a case by case basis each side may limit the period of validity and number of entries as required by law and regulation.

The U.S. Embassy and Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs exchanged diplomatic notes on this agreement in December 2004.

The Embassy believes this mutual extension of visa reciprocity will be a significant benefit to frequent travelers between China and the United States. The longer validity of visas means these frequent travelers will not have to renew their visas so frequently, saving time and money and making travel more convenient.

In 2004, the U.S. Embassy and four consulates in China issued 228,600 nonimmigrant visas. Of these, 173,140 or more than 77% were to visitors for temporary business (B-1) or tourism (B-2). The Embassy believes as many as one in ten of these travelers for temporary business or tourism visit the United States more than once a year.