VISA APPLICATION
PREPARATION AND PROCEDURES
Updated: May 28, 2004
Biometrics in U.S. Visas
The U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu China will begin fingerprint
scanning for most non-immigrant and immigrant visa applicants beginning
onMay 26, 2004.
All applicants who qualify for the Chengdu drop box program will
havetheir visa interview waived but they will have to wait a short
while tohave their fingerprints taken.
The U.S. Congress mandated the use of biometrics (fingerprint scanning)
invisa issuance in the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform
Act of2002.
Fingerprint scanning has been successfully introduced in 63 consularsections
so far, including Hong Kong. By October 26, 2004, allvisa-issuing
embassies and consulates worldwide will be required tocollect fingerprint
scans in connection with non-immigrant visaapplications.
The Department of State is not singling out any particular country
ormission for implementation. This security enhancement is intended
as animportant link in America's overall plan to improve border security.
Itwill also help ensure better security for all prospective visitors
to theU.S.
The scanning itself is quick, unobtrusive, and will only add a few
secondsto the application process. The two index fingers of a visa
applicantwill be scanned electronically during the consular officer's
interviewwith the applicant by placement of the fingers onto a small
scanner at theinterview window.
Scanning is inkless.
An applicant who refuses to be fingerprinted would have his or herapplication
denied on the basis that it is incomplete. However, anapplicant who
then later decides to provide fingerprints would have his orher visa
application considered without prejudice.
The following applicants are exempt: * Children under 14 * Adults
over 79 * 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 officialbusiness, as well as some government representatives to
internationalorganizations, or those officials in transit through
the U.S.) * Individuals traveling to the U.S. for urgent medical treatment
whocannot reasonably appear for fingerprinting If an applicant is
missing an index finger, another finger will bescanned. 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 ofentry. This will verify
identity and reduce the use of stolen andcounterfeit visas; it will
also make travel to the US safer for alllegitimate travelers. The
inclusion of biometric data in travel records will also make it easierto
replace lost or stolen travel documents by facilitating confirmation
ofidentity.
For non-Americans wishing to travel to the US, applications are reviewed
at the Consulate General's Visa Unit on Monday through Friday mornings
between 8:30 AM and 12:00 AM.
Visa applicants in should bring proof of their ties to china to the
visa interview. In most cases the documentation required at the interview
includes:
· Proof of employment and income
· Proof of bank savings
· Proof of home ownership
· Proof of prior travel outside china
· Copies of relatives visas that have traveled to the u.s. and proof
of the relative's current status in the u.s.
· An invitation letter from the organization, company, or person
in the u.s. that is inviting the applicant to the u.s.
· Ability to clearly explain the purpose of your trip to the u.s.
General Visa Application Instructions
· Applicants should call the visa interview appointment line at
4008-872-333 to schedule an appointment. The wait for an appointment
is usually about two weeks. Schedule your appointment in advance.
· The call center telephone number for international calls is:
86-21-3881-4611
The department of state wishes to advise callers that the charges
for international calls are solely the responsibility of the caller.
Currently, callers are experiencing significant wait times before
reaching a live operator.
· The new visa information call center is a user pays service. The
fee is 54 rmb for 12 minutes. Unused minutes are stored via a pin
number and may be accessed at a later date. Payments can be made using
a debit or credit card or a money order or postal note.
· To pay using a debit or credit card, please call the visa information
call center at 4008-872-333. Please have your credit or debit card
ready and enter the number following the voice prompts. Please note
that 54 rmb will be deducted from your debit or credit account.
· To pay via money order or postal note, please send a money order
or postal note payable to "xinan information services, ltd."
For a minimum of 54 rmb for 12 minutes to: 7 floor, 455 fushan road,
pudong district, shanghai, china, post code 200122". Please note
that you must fill it in chinese only. You must include your id card
number with the money order or postal note. This will be used as your
pin number to access the service. Please allow 10 working days for
the money order or postal note to reach the visa information call
center and be entered into the system before calling 4008-872-333.
Please note that personal checks will not be accepted. Payment must
be by money order or postal note only.
· More information about the payment options can be accessed by
calling 4008-872-333.
· After scheduling an appointment, the applicant should visit one
of chengdu's five citic bank locations to pay the application fee
of 830 rmb. The bank will provide the applicant with the visa application
form.
The bank can be reached as follows:
Citic Bank Chengdu Branch
47# Section 4, Renminnan Rd, Tel# 85258868
Citic Bank Gaoshengdonglu Subbranch
1# Gaoshengdong Rd, Tel# 85157670
Citic Bank Xiyuecheng Subbranch
20# Sandongqiao Rd, Tel# 87732794
Citic Bank New Times Plaza Subbranch
1st Floor, B, New Times Plaza, Wenwu Rd,
Tel# 86612518
Citic Bank Shuinianhe Subbranch
1st Floor, A, Jiangyuan Bldg, #8, Yihuanlu East Section 4
Tel#84455184
Citic Bank Dongchenggen Jie Subbranch
1-2floor, Jianshe Bldg, 188#, Dongchenggen St.
Tel# 86253888
Citic Bank Jiangxijie Subbranch
39# Jiangxi St. Tel# 85568938
Citic Bank Zoumajie Subbranch
68-1# Zouma St. Tel# 86715222
Citic Bank Renminnanlu Subbranch
29# Section 3, Renminnan Rd, Tel# 85453991
Citic Bank Xinnanlu Subbranch
1st Floor, Wangao Bldg, 8# Xinnanlu, Tel# 85458376
· Complete the visa application form before appearing for your visa
interview. Each section of the application should be filled out completely
and the applicant's signature and date should appear on the second
page of the ds-156. The forms are also available on the consulate's
website at www.usembassy-china.org.cn/chengdu. Forms ds-156 and ds-157
are required for all visa applicants.
· Applicants are advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to their interview
time as it takes some time for the guards to check them into the building.
· After entering the building, turn in your application materials
at the visa application acceptance window and then get in line and
wait for your name to be called.
· If you are approved for a visa, you may come back in the afternoon
at the designated time to pick up your visa.
· Applicants that have traveled previously and are traveling againg
for the same purpose using the same visa type and their last visa
expired less than 12 months ago are not required to appear for an
interview. The applicant must have his passport with the previous
u.s. visa. Such applicants can drop off their applications at the
visa acceptance window in the morning between 8:30 and 10:30 am monday
through thursday and come back in the afternoon to pick up their visas.
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