Nonimmigrant Visa Guidance for American Firms

American companies often wish to invite Chinese business partners or customers to the United States for meetings, contract negotiations, equipment inspection purchase or other business related activities.

Preparedness is the best guarantee that individuals you wish to invite to the United States are found eligible for a visa. The invitation letter you write on behalf of your applicants is an essential component of their application package. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an invitation letter at the time of application. For the sake of your applicants and your company's credibility, the letter must be neat, accurate, and credible, and should be signed by a company employee who will be responsible for the visit. Business invitation letters should include the names, dates of birth, and passport numbers of each individual who has been invited by your company. Your letter must also include contact information (phone, fax, e-mail) for your company in case the interviewing officer has further questions.

Any material you wish the officer to see when making a decision must be given directly to the applicant to be presented at the time of interview. Each applicant or group of applicants must present his/her/their own application materials. If a particular document has not been given to the applicant(s) to present to the officer at the time of interview, assume the officer has not seen it.

For additional information please visit the Department of State's web site at www.travel.state.gov or contact the Visa Information Call Center. People calling from within China may dial toll free number 4008-872-333 or Shanghai local phone (021) 3881-4611 while those calling from overseas should dial (86-21) 3881-4611. Please note that charges for domestic or international long-distance calls are solely the responsibility of the caller. Press here for more detailed information on the Visa Information Call Center.

More information on doing business in China may be found by visiting the U.S. Foreign and Commercial Service website http://www.buyusa.gov/china/en/