Frequently Asked Questions on Tourism MOU

1.  Is there any new arrangement in the visa application procedure to make the process more convenient for Chinese tour groups?

Under the Group Leisure Travel MOU, a new special appointment channel is now available for authorized travel agencies to book group tourist interview appointments in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou starting June 1, 2008 for travel after June 17^th.
Tour leaders can also now enter the visa hall with tour groups from their agency for the visa interview.

2. Do you expect a sharp increase in the number of Chinese people traveling to the U.S. in the future? If yes, how would the Embassy handle the increasing number of visa applications? Any plan to speed up the application process or to shorten waiting period?

Even before the signing of the MOU, the volume of Chinese travelers to the United States for tourism, business, family visits, education, cultural exchange, and temporary employment has been growing by double-digit percentages every year.  We anticipate the tourism memorandum will further contribute to this growth. 

Due to space and staffing limitations, the number of people requesting visas appointments sometimes outnumbers the available interview appointments, especially at busy times of the year.  The U.S. Embassy and Consulates have made group tour appointments a priority, but we encourage all applicants, including group tours traveling under the MOU, to apply at least six weeks in advance of their intended travel date.

Most U.S. visa-issuing posts in China have added staff over the last few years, and the U.S. Embassy is planning to move to a new facility in September 2008.  Applicants should still schedule their interview well in advance of their intended travel date.

In addition, our Drop-off visa renewal service, available through CITIC Bank, speeds up the process even further by eliminating the need for an interview.  Visa holders whose visa has expired less than one year may apply to renew the same class of visa through CITIC Bank.  As an added convenience, those who provided ten fingerprints during their last application may renew their visa without coming to the Embassy or Consulates to scan their fingers again.  More information is available on our web site at : http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/niv_renewal.html.

3. How many visas were issued to Chinese citizens in 2007?  How many tourist visas were issued to Chinese citizens in 2007?  By what percentage do you expect the number of tourist visas to increase after U.S. opened its destinations for Chinese tour groups.

In calendar year 2007, the US Embassy and Consulates in China issued 417,146 non-immigrant visas.  This represents a 17% increase over calendar year 2006, when China posts issued a total of 355,075 non-immigrant visas.  Of the total 417,146 visas issued, the vast majority were business & tourist visitor visas (288,331, or 69% of total).

4. From statistics obtained from the Chinese side, the U.S. visa refusal rate is 10%.  Is this figure accurate?  If not, what is the rate of visa issuance?

The vast majority of applicants qualified for visas – about 4 out of 5 non-immigrant visa applications were approved.

5. Currently Chinese tourists still need to go in for visa interviews.  With the increase of tourist groups, what methods will the visa office take to shorten the visa time?

Individual in-person interviews, fingerprints, and visa fee payments are still required. 
Repeat travelers to the United States may qualify for the U.S. Embassy's Drop-off Visa Application service in Beijing.  This process may eliminate the need for a visa interview.  Visa applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 79 are also qualified to use the Drop-off Visa application service, even if this is their first U.S. visa application.  More information is available on our web site at : http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/niv_renewal.html.

6. Is there any chance for any loosening of the visa policy?

Under US immigration law each visitor visa applicant is required to show that he or she has strong enough ties outside the U.S. to convince the officer that the applicant will depart the United States after a temporary period.  To be approved for a visa, each individual tourist must show they have these ties.

Individual in-person interviews, fingerprints, and visa fee payments are still required.  The exception to this is repeat travelers who qualify for the U.S. Embassy's Drop-off Visa Application service.

U.S. immigration law, including the interview and fingerprint requirements, are standard worldwide.

If approved, most applicants are issued a one-year, multiple entry, business and travel visa [B1/B2]. This means they can take multiple trips to the United States in a one-year period.

The one-year, multiple-entry visa validity is based on a mutual reciprocity agreement between the United States and Chinese governments.