New Improved Application Process for U.S. Visas in China

A new visa application system will be implemented in China starting on March 16, 2013 to streamline and improve all aspects of the nonimmigrant visa application process for Chinese citizens.  Under this new system, visa applicants will only pay a single visa fee of USD$160 and no other additional costs.  Visa applicants will also be able to apply, make payments, make visa appointments, and check status online.  The new system is part of the U.S. Embassy’s plan to continually improve service to Chinese visa applicants.  More than 1.34 million nonimmigrant visa applicants were processed in 2012 in China, representing a 34% increase from 2011.  These include business visas (B1), tourist visas (B2), student visas (F-1), vocational study visas (M-1), exchange visitor visas (J-1), etc.   The main changes in the application process are summarized in the following table:

New Process for U.S. Visa Applications in China
	Before March 16, 2013	After March 16, 2013
Fees:	3 fees: 1) Appointment – 54 RMB or 36 RMB; 2) Visa processing fee – USD$160;  3) Postage – around 32 RMB	Only 1 fee: USD$160
Appointments:	Appointments can be made by phoning our new Call Center	Appointments can be made online by yourself or by phoning our new Call Center
Ways to Pay:	Payment of $160 can only be done at CITIC Bank	Three ways to pay – 1) Online – via debit or credit card 2) At any CITIC ATM through Union Pay 3) In cash at CITIC Bank
Questions:	Pay to inquire for visa information with the Call Center	Visa questions are answered for free when you phone the Call Center
Rescheduling Appointments:	If you have to cancel your appointment, you will need to pay for another appointment	No need to pay to make another appointment if the first one is missed; can reschedule for free.
Picking up Passports:	No way of tracking your passport after visa is issued	Applicant will receive e-mail notification when passport is ready for pick-up. Can also check online

As of February 14, 2013, the number of days for scheduling B1/B2 and F/M/J visa appointments are as follows:  5 days for Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai ad Shenyang; 11 days for Chengu.