US will change visa procedure
By Liang Yiwen |
February 21, 2013, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE United States is changing its visa application system in China starting on March 16 to make it a little cheaper and more convenient.
Beginning on March 16, applicants will only pay the visa processing fee of US$160 for most non-immigrant visa types, according to the US Embassy's website. Previously, applicants also had to pay to book appointments and arrange for the return of their passports, the website said.
Applicants will have the option to pay online using any debit card issued in China or a credit card issued abroad, the website said.
Applicants will also be able to use a new online system to make visa interview appointments and to check the status of their applications. They will be able to call the new Call Center to make an appointment or have questions answered at no extra charge. In the past, applicants needed to pay to inquire about visa procedures when contacting the Call Center, according to the website.
Under the new appointment process, the US Embassy and Consulates will continue to offer a drop-off non-immigrant visa renewal service for most applicants who are eligible to renew their visas without a personal interview.
"The wait time to get your appointment throughout China on average is two to four days right now," Gary Locke, the US ambassador to China, said yesterday at a press conference in Beijing. "That's a significant drop."
In 2012, the US Mission in China processed more than 1.34 million non-immigrant visa applications, an increase of 34 percent from 2011.
Beginning on March 16, applicants will only pay the visa processing fee of US$160 for most non-immigrant visa types, according to the US Embassy's website. Previously, applicants also had to pay to book appointments and arrange for the return of their passports, the website said.
Applicants will have the option to pay online using any debit card issued in China or a credit card issued abroad, the website said.
Applicants will also be able to use a new online system to make visa interview appointments and to check the status of their applications. They will be able to call the new Call Center to make an appointment or have questions answered at no extra charge. In the past, applicants needed to pay to inquire about visa procedures when contacting the Call Center, according to the website.
Under the new appointment process, the US Embassy and Consulates will continue to offer a drop-off non-immigrant visa renewal service for most applicants who are eligible to renew their visas without a personal interview.
"The wait time to get your appointment throughout China on average is two to four days right now," Gary Locke, the US ambassador to China, said yesterday at a press conference in Beijing. "That's a significant drop."
In 2012, the US Mission in China processed more than 1.34 million non-immigrant visa applications, an increase of 34 percent from 2011.
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