San Francisco Visa

New application procedures of American visa

With the effort of American Diplomatic Corps in China for simplifying visa application procedures, the Embassy and all Consulates issuing visa will implement new visa reservation, fee payment and document delivery systems since March 16, 2013. This system has already been used in several countries, providing more convenience for applicants to arrange visa interview appointments, pay visa formality fees, and check the status of the sent visa.

Since March 16, for most non-immigrant visas, applicants only need to pay the current visa application fee of USD 160, which remains unchanged. Applicants may also pay the fee online with any debit cards issued by Chinese banks. In addition, applicants may pay the fee with an UnionPay card at any China CITIC Bank ATMs, or pay in cash at any China CITIC Bank branches. Applicant may also use a new online system to have a visa interview appointment and check the application status. They may call the new center for reservation or for any doubts, without additional fee.

The new system allows applicant to get visas at any of the more than 800 China CITIC Bank branches. According to new reservation procedures, American Embassy and Consulate will continue to provide delivery service of non-immigrant visa renewals for the majority of applicants who are qualified for renewal without needing personal interview.

Application steps: Payment of visa application fee: Before making an appointment for interview with visa telephone center, please pay the visa application fee. When making such appointment, you will be asked by the visa telephone center to inform your visa receipt number. All applicants must pay visa application fee at a designated China CITIC Bank. The fee is non-returnable. The duplicate receipts issued by China CITIC Bank must be submitted together with other application materials. Please note that: No matter whether visa is issued, the application fee will not be returned. If the application fee is paid, but the application is not submitted within one year, the fee will not be returned either.

The applicants holding diplomatic passports and those applying for visas of Type A, G, C-2, C-3 and NATO as well as J subsidized by the American government may be exempted from such application fee. Visa application fee has been adjusted. The followings are examples of adjustment to visa application fees. Visas that need not to be applied to America first, such as B1/B2 (tourism and business), student (1) or communication and exchange visitors (J1): USD 160 (RMB 1008); visas that need to be applied to America first, such as H (work), L (assignment within the company), O (special talent), P (performer), Q (cultural exchange) and R (religious workers): USD 190 (RMB 1197); visa for unmarried couples (K): USD 240 (RMB 1512).

Materials required for applying for a tourism visa:

1. DS-160 table confirmation page. Please fill in your name code, Chinese name, house address in Chinese, company name and address.

2. One square color photo of 2 inch x2 inch (51mm x 51mm) with white background taken within six (6) months.

3. Voucher of the application fee: Please paste the receipt on the lower part of the confirmation page with glue or adhesive tape.

4. Valid passport: The validity period of the passport shall be at least six (6) months longer than your planned stay period in USA. The passports include past passports for traveling to the US and invalid passports. Since March 1, 2010, American Embassy in Beijing requires the applicants to fill in new DS-160 online application form. Please notice: Obtaining the visa is not equal to the right for final entry into USA. The US laws specify that the visa is only voucher allowing you to apply for entry into USA. The person obtaining the visa will accept the inspection by the official of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before entering USA. The official of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approves the applications of most applicants holding the visas, but reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone.