Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Applying for a Visa

1. How long before I plan to travel should I apply for a visa?
2. Do I need an interview if I have traveled to the U.S. before?
3. I have a letter to show you that will help you understand my situation and my strong ties to China. Can I send it to you so you can read it in advance of my interview?
4. Should I use a travel agent or other advisor to help me apply?
5. I’m traveling for business training. What kind of visa do I need?
6. Can someone else fill out the visa forms on my behalf?

How long before I plan to travel should I apply for a visa?
Because of significant demand for U.S. visas, there is usually a wait for visa interview appointments, sometimes of several weeks. Additionally, post-interview processing may take another month or two before the visa can be issued. Therefore, we encourage all visa applicants to call the China-wide Visa Information Call Center at 4008-872-333 well in advance of their anticipated travel plans. If you are a frequent traveler or someone who may be required to travel on short notice, we encourage you to keep your visa valid and apply to renew your current visa before it expires.  Please plan ahead and apply early! 

Do I need an interview if I have traveled to the U.S. before?
Yes. With rare exceptions, all visa applicants are required to present themselves before an adjudicating visa officer. The United States Congress passed the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act in 2002. This law mandated that visa applicants are required to appear in person in the Consular Section to participate in the biometric scan. Applicants with prior travel to the United States who use the CITIC Bank Expedite Program or the FAO Expedite Program may have shorter interviews, but the U.S. Consulate reserves the right to interview any applicant, regardless of application channel.

I have a letter to show you that will help you understand my situation and my strong ties to China. Can I send it to you so you can read it in advance of my interview?
No. You should bring any information, including your letter, to the interview. Mailing it to us in advance will not be helpful. We have absolutely no way to handle information received prior to the interview. The visa interview is the proper setting for us to consider the information in your letter.

Should I use a travel agent or other advisor to help me apply?
The matter is a personal decision for you to make. However, in most cases it is not necessary for you to hire a travel agent to assist you with your application. Travel agents will often charge you to fill out forms that are available for free. (All of our application forms are free.) They also charge large sums on the promise of enabling the traveler to bypass the visa interview. However, we do not accept applications from travel agencies without interviewing the applicants. Furthermore, our experience shows that many applicants are coached by agents to provide answers that are often misleading.  The discovery of a misleading answer often puts the entire application in doubt and can lead to a refusal, or even a permanent bar of entry to the United States.

I’m traveling for business training. What kind of visa do I need?
If you will be attending training for less than 90 days, you may use a B1/B2 visa. If your training is for longer than 90 days, you should apply for a J1 or an H3 training visa. Using a B1/B2 visa for long stays in the United States may cast doubt on your credibility and might inhibit your ability to obtain a visa in the future.

Can someone else fill out the visa application forms of my behalf?
If you require assistance completing the application it is acceptable to have someone complete the forms on your behalf.  If a third party prepares the Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Application (DS-156) on an applicant's behalf, the preparer MUST fill in question #40 on the DS-156.  If someone else prepares the application for you, remember that you alone are responsible for verifying that the information on your application is accurate.  Incorrect information can delay processing and even lead to a refusal. In addition, your personal, authentic signature must be on the application. No one should sign your application for you.

Please note: there are many businesses that make claims that they can help an applicant get a U.S. visa.  The U.S. Embassy has not authorized any of these companies to provide assistance to applicants and in many cases, these companies will charge substantial fees and may be involved with fraudulent activities.  The submission of fraudulent documents can carry serious penalties for a visa applicant.  You should consider carefully whether or not to use a commercial company to assist in the application process.  You are responsible for all submitted materials and will be held responsible if documents are found to be fraudulent.  Applicants found guilty of attempting to obtain nonimmigrant visas through fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact may be permanently refused visas and denied entry into the United States.