NIV Application Materials

Other Requirements For Obtaining A U.S. Visa

PASSPORT: Every applicant must have a passport that is endorsed for travel abroad and valid for return to China or re-entry into another country. Business travelers, tourists, and other visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the time they arrive at the port of entry in the United States. Travelers who arrive at a U.S. port of entry with less than six months of validity remaining on their passports will be denied entry to the U.S.

RESIDENCY: Every applicant must be able to prove that he or she works in and/or is a resident of our Shanghai consular district, which includes the Shanghai Municipality, and the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

ABILITY TO PAY: Every applicant is required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the expense of their travel to the United States and that they will not become a public charge. For most travelers, bank savings books, certificates of deposit, and proof of retirement or work income are some items that can help establish an applicant’s financial means. Businesspeople should be able to show their income as well as their company’s financial health and willingness to cover business trip expenses. Depending on each student or exchange visitor applicant’s circumstances, the I-120 or DS-2019 form, scholarship letters and proof of parental income should be presented.

DEPENDENTS: Dependents must demonstrate legitimate family ties to the principal applicant. Marriage certificates, birth certificates and photographs will help demonstrate these family relationships.

TIES TO CHINA (or your home country): In addition to the above requirements, you are advised to present documentation and other evidence establishing social, economic, and other ties that would compel your departure from the United States after a temporary and lawful stay. It is impossible to specify the exact form that the evidence should take since each applicant's circumstances vary greatly. It is important to note that under U.S. law, every visa applicant is presumed to be an intending immigrant until he or she can establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer at the interview that he or she is entitled to nonimmigrant status. 

Fingerprint Scanning and Biometrics in U.S. Visas

The U.S. Congress mandated the use of biometrics (fingerprint scanning) in visa issuance in the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002.  As of October 2004, all visa-issuing embassies and consulates worldwide are required to collect fingerprint scans in connection with nonimmigrant visa applications. The Department of State is not singling out any particular country or mission for implementation. This security enhancement is intended as an important link in America’s overall plan to improve border security. It will also help ensure better security for all prospective visitors to the U.S.

The scanning itself is quick, unobtrusive, and adds only a few seconds to the application process. The two index fingers of a visa applicant will be scanned electronically during the consular officer’s interview with the applicant by placement of the fingers onto a small scanner at the interview window. Scanning is inkless.

An applicant who refuses to be fingerprinted would have his or her application denied on the basis that it is incomplete. However, an applicant who then later decides to provide fingerprints would have his or her visa application considered without prejudice.
The following applicants are exempt:

• Children under 14 and adults over 79. After the visa officer decides to issue a visa to such applicants, they will be required to wait one business day before obtaining their visas This extra processing time is required since these applicants must have their photographs analyzed instead of the fingerprint scan.

• A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, C-2, and C-3 category visa applicants (in general, these are foreign government officials traveling on official business, as well as some government representatives to international organizations, or those officials in transit through the U.S.).

• Individuals traveling to the U.S. for urgent medical treatment who cannot reasonably appear for fingerprinting.

If an applicant is missing an index finger, another finger will be scanned. If an applicant has a temporary condition (e.g. cut or blister), they will be instructed to reapply when the index finger heals.

Fingerprint scanning at post is an essential link in US national security, because the prints will be compared with those collected at ports of entry. This will verify identity and reduce the use of stolen and counterfeit visas; it will also make travel to the US safer for all legitimate travelers. The inclusion of biometric data in travel records will also make it easier to replace lost or stolen travel documents by facilitating confirmation of identity.

Washington "Checks"

Getting Checked:" Advice for Students and Scholars in Scientific Fields

In some cases—for example, students and scholars in scientific fields—the US Consulate General, Shanghai must refer the applicant’s visa application to the US Department of State for additional processing, also known as a “check”. Only the Visa Officer can make the determination whether an applicant’s file needs additional processing. In most cases, this process takes about four weeks, although it sometimes takes longer.

Applicants can help make this process move faster by being prepared for their visa interviews. For example, graduate students and visiting scholars should bring a copy of their resume or curriculum vitae (CV); a list of their publications (if any); a detailed description of their past and future research; information on their advisor or sponsor in the United States, including a mailing address and telephone number (for example, a copy of his webpage); and a list of references. This information should be in English. Applicants should also be ready to answer specific questions about their research plans in the United States. Applicants who are well prepared will have their files sent to Washington, D.C. faster, thus ensuring faster processing of their application.

Applicants who do not bring complete information to the interview (e.g., their resume and their research summary) will have their applications delayed until they provide this information to the Consulate or they may be refused a visa and asked to apply again with a more complete application. Bringing a lot of information to the interview is always better than not bringing enough.

As soon as the processing of the applicant’s visa is complete, we will contact the applicant by phone or email to request the applicant return to the Consulate to pick up the visa. Applicants will undergo an additional brief interview at this time. The applicant will not need to make a new appointment or pay a new application fee.