MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Most first time applicants must make a visa appointment. 

IF YOU ARE UNDER 14, OVER 79 OR HAVE A U.S. VISA THAT WAS ISSUED AFTER NOVEMBER 2007, YOU MAY NOT NEED TO COME TO THE EMBASSY FOR AN INTERVIEW. PLEASE READ THE REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA RENEWALS.

BUSINESS TRAVELERS AND TOURISTS, APPLY EARLY AND KEEP YOUR VISA VALID. 

To make an appointment, buy a pre-paid PIN card from China CITIC Bank or visit the Visa Information Call Center website to purchase a PIN number online. PIN cards cost 54 RMB for 12 minutes of phone time or 36 RMB for 8 minutes. Unused minutes may be used later or transferred to another party.

Once you have a prepaid card, call the Visa Information Call Center to make an interview appointment or ask specific questions about the visa process. Please ensure that you know the following information: applicant’s full name, passport number, ID number, contact information, purpose of travel, place of residence, whether s/he was refused before, etc. 

All long distance charges are the sole responsibility of the caller, and all calls are generally answered in less than 30 seconds.

Call Center Numbers:
Within China: 4008-872-333   
                   (021) 3881-4611 (Shanghai local number)

Outside of China: (86-21) 3881-4611

Hours: Monday-Friday from 7:00 AM –7:00 PM
          Saturday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pre-recorded visa information is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  

An average appointment wait time is the time from which you call the Call Center and the time you will interview with an officer. Click here to check the average visa appointment wait time for visitor (B1/B2) visa, for Student (F, M) or Exchange Visitor (J) visa and for all other Non-immigrant Visas.