8 Important Questions and Answers About Visas to The U.S.
The process for receiving a U.S. business or travel visa includes collecting all required documents, completing the required online application, and doing an interview. One of the most important considerations for all of these components is whether the applicant is going to leave the U.S. when they’re supposed and return to their home country.
What are the differences between a U.S. visa that is valid for five years and one that is valid for ten years?
Chinese citizens applying for a U.S. B1/B2 business or tourist visa may receive a multiple-entry visa that is valid for ten years. Students can receive a multiple-entry visa that is valid for five years.
Do B1/B2 applicants automatically receive a ten-year visa?
Every applicant is given a visa based on the discretion of the consulate, and the applicant's individual situation. While many are given ten-year visas, there is no guarantee.
If I have a ten-year visa, does that mean I can stay in the U.S. for ten years?
Definitely not. A ten-year visa indicates that you can travel to the U.S. multiple times for however long the visa is valid. Each visit can be determined by a border control agent when you arrive in the U.S.
Are single people more likely to have their visa applications denied?
Single applicants, especially single women, may need to work a little harder on their case. But being single overall is not reason enough to get an application denied. The main thing to focus on is proving to the interviewing officer that you have no plans to stay in the U.S. and have a strong motivation to come back to your country.
Will my visa application be impacted by my English skills?
Not at all.
Don't worry if you can't speak English or Chinese. Most Consular Officers speak at least some Chinese and will greet the interviewee and do the interview in Chinese. However, a few phrases might be good to know for your own comfort. What will get a visa apporved? In essence, you have to convince the consulate that you will not \\"overstay\\" your trip and that you will actually return home after your visit to the US. All of your supporting documents need to show that. It is better to know the situation clearly instead of just preparing a lot of papers. How do I get a US visa? You can do it yourself or have a travel agency do it for you. What do I need to bring to the appointment and interview? Make sure you have your documents ready before the interview. Documents can be divided into two groups: the required ones to present with the application, and the additional Supporting documents for the interview. What are the chances of me getting my visa approved?
Most people want to see if their application is worth the effort before actually applying. Consider the details below. However, the final point is that the consular officer decides, and you can't count on anything. What are the required documents needed for a US visa? A travel agency, or you, will need the following electronic documents to book a US visa interview. Regardless, these are necessary. To attend the visa interview, you may need to bring these. Bring your original documents and keep them in a separate transparent document bag to use at the consulate. Tips: Each applicant has their own situation, so each applicant will have different supporting documents that will be required. If a document does not pertain to you, don't include it. More important than volume is being accurate and truthful. Different supporting documents may be needed by different applicants, as illustrated in the following. For applicants with no independent source of income, this includes adult students or freelancers, they must, 1. Present original employment certificates and bank statements of their trip sponsors (which can be their parents or spouses). 2. Present original notarized and authenticated documents that prove their relationship with the trip sponsor (which can be their parents or spouses). Retirees must present a copy of their retirement certificate. A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a U.S. Visa Step 1: Complete the DS-160 application form Form address: Fill in the application form with your location (for example, enter China and then select Beijing along with the other filds). Make sure to frequently save as the system can timeout unexpectedly. Step 2: Pay the visa application fee and book the visa interview You must register on the U.S. Embassy website (official website: _zh/index.html?
firstTime=No), fill in the required personal details, select an appointment, and make the payment as instructed. Persons traveling together can be included in one registration but each one is required to pay the visa fee. The price stated here is US$160 per applicant.
Tips:
If you are applying for the first time, you must make a new account.
Step 3: Go for the Interview - This is the most important.
Submitting a form and fee is just the beginning of the whole process. Interviews are the most important part. Here is how to make a great impact:
Firstly, be respectful. Say hello to the officer with a smile. Starting in Chinese may help the officer to continue the interview in Chinese and establish your preference of using Chinese.
Secondly, try to remain as calm as possible. If you are really nervous, it may cause an officer to suspect your intentions. Make sure you are able to hold a natural and confident conversation.
Lastly, prepare yourself to answer the questions that the officer will be asking to confirm the details you have provided in your application as well as your travel itinerary. Make sure you are clear about the answers you provided in the form and be direct.
These three habits combined with solid and valid documentation will be the best.
Tips:
It is possible to get help from a travel agency or visa service provider if you are unable to complete the official online application yourself. However, you will still have to attend the interview and organize the documents on your own.
What should you remember when you go for your visa interview?
1. Don’t be late. Make sure you get there around 30 minutes early in case you have to wait in line. If you are late, you may have to book another interview.
2. E-devices, wallets, bags, food, and umbrellas are not allowed in the consulate and you will have to leave them outside. You must carry documents in a transparent bag. The consular officer may not examine all the supporting documents you bring. However, those supporting documents may become significant when the officer requires clarifications before arriving at a decision. Prepare your responses in advance with great care Questions often asked by Visa Officers Basic details:
What is your reason for going to the United States?
What other countries or regions have you traveled to?
How do you demonstrate that you have traveled to those countries or regions?
Financial situation – to evaluate if you can afford the trip and if you have motives to return:
Who is covering the costs for this trip to the United States?
What do you do? What is your position? How long have you worked there? What is the address of your employer?
What is your annual salary?
Do you possess a business license, an employer letter, or a guarantee letter?
Did you bring proof of savings or proof of property ownership?
Do you have a private car?
Do you have any other proof of assets?
Family situation – to analyze if you may have the intention to immigrate or reside permanently
Are you married? Do you have any children?
What is your spouse’s occupation?
Are you traveling by yourself? Why is your family not coming to the United States with you?
Did you bring your household registration booklet or marriage certificate?
Did you bring family pictures?
Travel arrangements – to verify the objective and specifics of your visit:
Who made arrangements for your trip to the United States?
How many people are expected to be in the tour group?
Do you know any of the people in the group?
Which cities and sites do you intend to visit in the U.S.?
How much do you estimate the trip will cost?
When is the group expected to leave?
How many days are you going to stay in the United States?
What you should expect from a U.S. Visa Interview 1) Your visa has been approved: you will receive a confirmation slip and leave your passport with the consulate. This means that your visa is approved. Once it is done being processed, you can go to the specified CITIC Bank location to pick up your passport.
2) On-the-spot verification: If the officer has any concerns about your documents, they can contact someone to verify the information during the interview. If everything checks out and it is all good, the visa could still get approved on the spot. The day of your interview, make sure anyone who is employed, your parents, and any other contacts on the documents are available to answer the call and confirm the information that is the same as your application.
3) Request for additional documents: This is rare, but the officer could be unsatisfied with the documents provided, but could choose not to deny the application. You will be instructed on how to submit additional specific documents by a certain date for your application to be reconsidered. Submit what is required to be provided exactly as it is asked to be done, and within the time frame given. This article states that the time frame could be as soon as that same afternoon.
4) Refusal: If your visa is denied, do not argue. Politely ask any relevant questions and thank the officer as you leave. Do not lose your cool. How you respond to a refusal can influence the tone of any future application. You could say “I will be applying again in the future.”
What Is the EVUS System?
Chinese citizens holding ten-year U.S. B1 or B2 visas must enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System, EVUS, and pay the fee associated with it before they are allowed to enter the United States. This rule has been effective since November 1, 2016. All enrollments are active for a period of two years. In the event of a visa or passport expiry, the enrollment will also be considered expired. The visa holder will then have to log onto the EVUS and update their info before attempting to travel to the US.
How to complete the EVUS process?
While completing the EVUS, visa holders will have to provide their name, date of birth, passport details, and other personal information, and their work details. The site is available in both English and Chinese, but holders of a ten-year visa have to complete the EVUS questions in English. Fans, family members, travel consultants, and any other third parties can submit EVUS information for a traveler on their behalf.
The lesson is clear; having a valid 10-year multiple-entry US visa does not mean you can automatically travel to the US whenever you please. Please ensure that you have completed all the necessary updates to your EVUS before you travel to avoid any administrative issues that may affect your plans.
Steps to enroll in EVUS
Step 1: access the website (***).
Note: The system is available in both Chinese and English and the enrollment process can be completed using any computer or mobile device.
Step 2: Once you have access to the enrollment application, accept and continue to the next section of the disclaimer.
Step 3: Fill out the Travel Document section. This includes details about your US visa and passport.
Note: The US visa number is located in red in the visa page.
Step 4: Complete the Enrollee Information section.
This includes personal details such as your name, national ID number, info about your family and parents, and work information.
Note: This section is important because EVUS enrollment is intended to stop people from having outdated personal details. Prior to your trip to the United States, make sure to update your enrollment if any details have changed.
Step 5: Fill in the “Travel Information” part, especially your contact person and address in the U.S.
Tips: Your contact can be anyone, like a friend, family member, or someone from work. If you don’t have anyone in the U.S., you can write down the name, address, and phone number of your hotel.
Step 6: Answer the “Eligibility Questions” based on your real situation.
Step 7: Look over your enrollment again. Make sure that everything is correct and make changes if you find any mistakes.
Tips: The traveler can fill this out themselves, or another person can do it for the traveler.
Step 8: You can submit the application. The system will check it and you will see a “Pending” status.
Step 9: When the review has been done, the status will change to “ENROLLED,” and that means that you have completed the enrollment process.
Tips: It is recommended to enroll in EVUS at least 3 days before you travel. It’s usually expected to take around 3 days, but many have reported that the approvals came through immediately after submission.
Reminder: You’ll need your enrollment application number, passport number, visa number, and date of birth to check your EVUS enrollment again.
Frequently Asked Questions About EVUS1. What is the estimated time for EVUS enrollment?3 minutes to 20 minutes if you have all the information.2. What makes EVUS different from a visa?EVUS enrollment is not classified as a visa. All travelers planning to enter the United States are required to have a B1, B2, or B1/B2 visitor visa. Chinese citizens with a ten-year B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa must register with the EVUS system prior to travel. Chinese citizens with other types of ten-year visas are not required to register with EVUS.
3. If I am just going to be passing through the United States to get to another country, do I still have to register with EVUS?
Chinese citizens must have a visa to enter the United States, even if it is just for a layover. When registering with the EVUS system, individuals passing through the United States must answer “yes” to transiting questions.
4. My passport is expired, but I have a valid visa in it. Can I still use that visa?
Yes, you can use an expired passport with a valid visa for EVUS enrollment purposes. After completing the process, the expired passport will remain your primary passport. When departing for the United States, you will need to have the new passport and the expired passport with the visa.
5. I already made travel plans. When can I start the EVUS enrollment process?
EVUS enrollment can happen at any time prior to travel. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends it be completed 72 hours before travel to allow time for processing. If not revoked, EVUS enrollment is typically good for two years from the time of authorization, until your passport expires, or until your U.S. visa expires.
6. What are the passport and visa requirements for EVUS?
Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your period of stay in the U.S., and you must have a ten-year B1, B2, or B1/B2 U.S. visitor visa. If you have a valid visa but it is in an expired passport, you must get a new passport before you can register for EVUS. When traveling, you must carry your valid passport and your valid ten-year B1, B2, or B1/B2 U.S. visitor visa.
7. Are there fees for registering for EVUS?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection was not charging an enrollment fee at the time of writing this guidance, but it was noted that a fee would be implemented. Please visit the official EVUS website for any fees before you apply.
8. Can someone else update EVUS information for a traveler?
Yes. Friends, family members, travel agents, and other third parties can submit EVUS-required information on behalf of the traveler and can pay any applicable fee. However, the traveler is responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of all submitted information.
9. Does being accepted for EVUS guarantee entry to the United States?
No. Being accepted for EVUS means only that you are eligible to travel to the United States with your ten-year B1, B2, or B1/B2 visitor visa. Admission to the United States is not guaranteed. When you arrive at a port of entry, a Customs and Border Protection officer will inspect and decide if you are admissible under U.S. law. Travelers with a ten-year B-category U.S. visa are required to complete EVUS enrollment before any impending travel. Keep in mind that enrollment has to get approved prior to travel and this can take up to 72 hours. Please do not wait until the last minute to complete this step as it may impact your travel.
