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VISAS
Last
Update:
June 10, 2004
BUSINESS AND TOURIST VISAS
(B-1, B-2)
General Information:
To obtain a visa for tourist or business travel to the United States,
the applicant must be able to demonstrate his or her intention to
enter the United States for a temporary period, solely for the purpose
of tourism and/or short-term business. The applicant must also provide
evidence of financial ability to cover his or her travel expenses
to and stay in the United States; sufficiently strong social, economic,
and other ties in the applicant's home country to compel the applicant's
return after a temporary and lawful visit. Under Section 214(b) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, a visa may
not be issued to any applicant who is unable to overcome the presumption
that he or she is an immigrant by demonstrating the above factors
to the satisfaction of the interviewing consular officer. In addition,
the following are required:
Visa Specific Information and Documentation:
"B-1" VISA: The
B-1 visa is intended for temporary business travel. This includes
such travel negotiating contracts, attending exhibitions and conferences,
short-term training, and consultations with suppliers and customers.
The B-1 visa is not valid for employment in the United States. Applicants
are advised to bring the following documentation:
- Two completed DS-156 application
forms provided free of charge at one of the designated CITIC Bank
branch offices.
- RMB830 CITIC Bank application
fee receipt
- A completed family biographic
data form provided free of charge at one of the designated CITIC
Bank branch Offices.
- A letter of invitation from
the U.S. company stating the purpose and length of the trip; this
letter should also indicate who will bear financial responsibility
for the trip.
- Documentation establishing the
sponsoring company’s bona fides, such as company registration and
licenses, letters of credit, and evidence of past and existing business
activities.
- Documentation establishing the
applicant's company’s relationship with the inviting company, such
as past correspondence, contracts, bills of lading, etc.
- Documentation establishing your
personal status, such as marriage certificates, letters confirming
employment, bank statements, payslips, etc.
"B-2" VISA: The
B-2 visa is intended for tourist activities, such as sight-seeing,
visiting friends and relatives, obtaining medical treatment, and attending
nonvocational conferences and meetings. Visitors are not permitted
to accept employment during their stay in the U.S. B-2 visas are valid
for one entry within three months of the issuance date. Applicants
are advised to bring the following documentation:
- Two completed DS-156 application
forms provided free of charge at one of the designated CITIC Bank
branch offices.
- RMB830 CITIC Industrial Bank
application fee receipt
- A completed family biographic
data form provided free of charge at one of the designated CITIC
Bank branch offices.
- A letter of invitation from
friends or relatives in the United States, or a letter confirming
participation in a tour group or conference.
- Documents demonstrating your
ability and intention, or that of friends or relatives in the United
States, to support your travel and other expenses.
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General Information:
To obtain a student visa to the United States, the applicant must
first be able to demonstrate that he or she is a bona fide student
qualified to pursue a full course of study. The applicant must also
demonstrate that he or she is seeking to enter the United States temporarily
and solely for the purpose of pursuing such a course of study
at an established academic institution. (Please refer to "Visas
for Dependents (F-2, J-2, H-2, L-2)" for information on how
apply to bring a spouse and/or children to live with you in the United
States during the course of your study.)
Requirements and Documentation:
- Two completed DS-156 application
forms provided free of charge at one of the designated CITIC Bank
branch offices.
- RMB830 CITIC Industrial Bank
application fee receipt
- A completed family biographic
data form provided free of charge at a designated CITIC Branch Office.
- Documentation establishing that
the applicant has been accepted by and will attend an established
institution of learning or other recognized place of study in the
United States which has been authorized to enroll foreign students,
as evidenced by the presentation of a completed and valid Form
I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility).
- Evidence of sufficient scholarship
or personal funds to cover the applicant's expenses, or evidence
that other arrangements have been made to provide for the applicant's
expenses. Possession of "sufficient funds" means you the
applicant is neither likely to become a public charge nor likely
to engage in unauthorized employment in order to support his or
herself while in the United States.
- Evidence of sufficient scholastic
preparation and knowledge of the English language to enable the
applicant to undertake a full course of study in the institution
of learning or other place of study at which you the applicant has
been accepted. If your knowledge of English is inadequate to enable
you the applicant to pursue a full course of study, you must submit
documentation that special arrangements have been made by the accepting
institution for English language tutoring.
- Evidence establishing the applicant's
intention to depart from the United States upon completion of his
or her studies. This means you have residence in a foreign country
that you have no intention of abandoning; and social, economic,
and other ties that would compel your return after a temporary and
lawful visit. Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act of 1952, as amended, a visa may not be issued to any applicant
who is unable to overcome the presumption that he or she is an immigrant
by demonstrating the above factors to the satisfaction of the interviewing
consular officer.
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DEPENDENTS
(F-2, J-2, L-2, H-4)
General Information:
To obtain a visa to join a spouse or parent for a short-term stay
in the United States, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that
he or she is the spouse or minor child of an F-1, J-1, M-1, H-1,
H-2, or L-1 visa holder who wishes to enter the United States solely
to accompany or follow to join the principal visa holder.
Visa Specific Information:
The F-2 visa
is intended for dependents of students (F-1). The visa is valid
for two entries within six months.
The J-2 visa is intended for
dependents of exchange visitors (J-1). The visa is valid for two entries
within six months.
The M-2 visa
is intended for dependents of students at vocational or other
recognized non-academic institutions (M-1). The visa is valid for
two entries within six months.
The H-4 visa is intended for
dependents of temporary workers (H). The visa is valid for one entry
within three months.
The L-2 visa is intended for
dependents of intracompany transfers (L). The visa is valid for one
entry within three months.
Required Documentation:
In addition to presenting two copies of the completed application
form DS-156, a passport valid for travel to the United States (with
a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended
period of stay in the United States) and the 830RMB CITIC application
fee receipt, applicants for any of the above dependent visas must
be able to demonstrate the following:
- RELATIONSHIP to the family
in the United States, through such documents as original marriage
certificates, birth certificates, and photographs.
- STATUS of the family
member in the United States, through such documents as photocopies
of the passports and U.S. visas, and form I-20 for students, form
DS-2019 for exchange visitors, or form I-797 for temporary workers
- SUFFICIENT FUNDS establishing
that the applicant is not likely at any time to become a public
charge, through such documents as form I-20 for students, form DS-2019
for exchange visitors, personal income tax returns (form 1040),
corporate income tax returns (form 1020), corporate quarterly reports
(form 941), W-2 tax forms, bank statements, and affidavit of support
(form I-134). Evidence of health insurance covering dependents is
also helpful.
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Exchange Visitors
(J-1,Q-1)
General Information:
The "J" exchange visitor program is designed to promote
the interchange of persons,knowledge, and skills in the fields of
education, arts, and sciences. Participants include students at all
academic levels; trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms,
institutions, and agencies; teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized
schools; professors coming to teach or do research at institutions
of higher learning; research scholars; professional trainees in the
medical and allied fields; and international visitors coming for the
purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training,
sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating
in organized people-to-people programs.
The "Q" international cultural exchange program is for
the purpose of providing practical training, employment, and the sharing
of the history, culture, and traditions of the participant's home
country in the United States.
Special Reqirements:
Scholastic Preparation
The "J" exchange visitors must have sufficient scholastic
preparation and knowledge of the English language to enable the applicant
to undertake a full course of study in the institution of learning
or other place of study at which you the applicant has been accepted.
If the applicant's knowledge of English is inadequate to enable you
the applicant to pursue a full course of study, you must submit documentation
that special arrangements have been made by the accepting institution
for English language tutoring.
The "Q" exchange visitor must be 18 years old and be able
to communicate effectively about the cultural attributes of his or
her country.
Medical Education and Training
Exchange visitors coming under the "J" program for graduate
medical education or training must meet certain special requirements.
They include having passed the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination
in Medical Sciences, demonstrating competency in English, being automatically
subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement (later), and
being subject to time limits on the duration of their program. Physicians
coming to the United States on exchange visitor programs for the purpose
of observation, consultation, teaching, or research in which there
is little or no patient care are not subject to the above requirements.
Required documentation:
- Two completed DS-156 application
forms provided free of charge at one of the designated CITIC Bank
branch offices.
- 830RMB CITIC application fee
receipt
- A completed family biographic
data form provided free of charge at a designated CITIC Branch Office.
- Passport valid for travel to
the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond
the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
- Two photographs 1 and 1/2 inches
square (37x37mm) for each applicant
- For the "J" applicant,
a completed Form DS-2019. Participants in the "J" program
must present a Form DS-2019 prepared by a designated sponsoring
organization. For the "Q" applicant, a notice of approval,
Form I-797. Participants in the "Q" program must have
the designated sponsoring organization file Form I-129, Petition
for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services (BCIS). The BCIS will notify the sponsor on Form I-797
when the petition is approved. It should be noted that the approval
of a petition does not guarantee visa issuance to an applicant found
to be ineligible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Evidence of sufficient scholarship
or personal funds to cover the applicant's expenses, or evidence
that other arrangements have been made to provide for the applicant's
expenses. Possession of "sufficient funds" means you the
applicant is neither likely to become a public charge nor likely
to engage in unauthorized employment in order to support his or
herself while in the United States.
Other Documentation:
- Evidence establishing the applicant's
intention to depart from the United States upon completion of his
or her stay. This means you have residence in a foreign country
that you have no intention of abandoning; and social, economic,
and other ties that would compel your return after a temporary and
lawful visit. Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act of 1952, as amended, a visa may not be issued to any applicant
who is unable to overcome the presumption that he or she is an immigrant
by demonstrating the above factors to the satisfaction of the interviewing
consular officer.
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WORK VISAS
(H, L, O, P, Q)
General Information:
H. L, O, P, and Q visas entitle the holder to work in the United
States. All require the company or other organization in the United
States that intends to hire you first to submit a petition to the
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) for permission
to hire a foreign worker. If the petition is approved, the company
will be issued a form I-797 enabling you to apply for a visa.
Visa Specific Information:
"H" VISA: The H
visa is intended for temporary employment in the United States. The
visa is valid for one entry within three months. There is no issuance
fee for this visa type.
- Petitions must first be approved
by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS)
in the United States.
- When applying for a temporary
worker visa from inside China, you must first wait for the Consulate
to receive your I-129 and I-797 documents directly from the BCIS.
- If you adjusted status within
the United States, your documents do not need to be sent to the
Consulate from BCIS, but you must bring your original I-797 to the
interview.
- All applicants must bring to
the interview the original approval notice from BCIS, documents
providing details about proposed work in the U.S., and documents
providing details about previous employment and educational background.
"L" VISA: The L
visa is intended for individuals who are being transferred from their
company in China to a branch or related company in the United States.
Applicants must intend to fill a managerial or executive position,
or have specialized knowledge, and have been continuously employed
by the same employer or a related company for one year within the
three years immediately preceding the visa application. Fees vary
depending on whether the visa is single or multiple entry.
- The L visa petition must first
be approved by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service
(BCIS). After the Consulate has received forms I-797 and I-129 directly
from the BCIS, you may come to the visa section for an interview.
- All applicants should bring
documents providing details about proposed work in the U.S., and
documents providing details about previous employment and educational
background.
- If you are applying with your
company’s blanket L-1, you must bring three copies and one original
form I-797. The original form will be returned to you after application
is approved.
"O","P" or "Q"
VISA: These visas are for performers or trade workers possessing
unusual or extraordinary skills who plan to perform, teach, coach,
or participate in cultural exchange in the United States. Your work
unit in China and host institution in the United States should contact
the BCIS for information on filing a petition for you before you can
apply for this kind of visa.
If you have other questions not answered here, please access the Department of State's Consular Affairs Web
Page.
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