Press Release

Public Affairs Section

American Embassy, Beijing

Tel: 65321161 Fax: 65322951

March 19, 2004

Pre-Paid PIN Card is a New Payment Option for the Visa Information Call Center

The American Mission in China is pleased to announce a new, convenient option to pay for Visa Information Call Center use. Starting March 19, 2004, all CITIC bank locations that currently collect our visa application fee will also sell a pre-paid PIN card that can be used to access the Call Center for visa information and appointments. This pre-paid PIN card will have a 54 RMB value and will allow the holder to use the Call Center services for 12 minutes. If there are unused minutes after the first call, these can be accessed at a later date.

The Visa Information Call Center can be reached by dialing 4008-872-333 (local phone charges do not apply) or from within China or internationally by dialing 86-21-3881-4611 (local phone charges apply).

In addition to the pre-paid PIN card option, callers will continue to be able to use credit or debit cards or postal or bank notes.

To pay using a credit or debit card, users can dial 4008-872-333 or 86-21-3881-4611 and following the voice prompts, enter their credit or debit card number. Chinese and international credit and debit cards are accepted. Please note that for Chinese credit and debit cards only credit or debit cards that are supported by China Pay Internet Payment Service can be used to access the system.

To pay via money order or postal note, users should send a money order or postal note payable to “XinAn Information Services, Ltd.?for a minimum of 54 RMB for 12 minutes to the following address: 7 Floor, 455 Fushan Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, China, post code 200122. Please note that it must be completed in Chinese only. Users must include their ID Card number with the money order or postal note. ID numbers will be used as the PIN number to access the service. Users should 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. Personal checks will not be accepted. Payment must be by money order or postal note only.

The Visa Information Call Center provides visa-related information to visa applicants and schedules non-immigrant visa interview appointments for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the U.S. Consulates General in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenyang.

The Visa Information Call Center has improved customer service for visa applicants, providing callers with easy access and accurate and timely information regarding the visa process. Live operators are available from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday and 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday. Recorded information is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Callers are able to access information on all visa types and application procedures for both immigrant and non-immigrant visas. Non-Immigrant visa appointments are no longer made by calling the U.S. Embassy or an individual Consulate directly. All non-immigrant visa appointments are made through the Visa Information Call Center.