How to apply for an American visa

The process of applying for a US visa:

Step one: get a passport.

No matter which country's visa, you must hold your own passport, and the US visa is no exception.

Step 2: Determine the visa location.

China (Mainland China) has five visa locations: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Chengdu and Shenyang.

Step 3: Make an appointment for a visa.

Step 4: Determine your visa type.

The common types are: students sign F 1, and spouses and children sign F2; Visiting scholars (exchange scholars) sign J 1, and spouses and children sign J2; Business logo b1; Travel and visiting relatives sign B2; H 1b is used for work visa (the employer is an American company), and H4 is used for spouse and children.

Step 5: Prepare the materials.

Different types of visas naturally have different materials. Generally speaking, my passport, complete DS form and visa fee receipt. Note that some things can't be brought in, including electronic products (such as mobile phones, USB flash drives and CDs), metal products (such as scissors), schoolbags and luggage.

Step 6: Interview at the Embassy

American study visa: American visa procedure

1) Make an appointment for a visa interview.

A. Buy a prepaid encrypted calling card from China CITIC Bank or a password from the website of Visa Information Call Center. The fee is 12 minutes in 54 yuan RMB or 8 minutes in 36 yuan RMB. Any unused minutes can be reserved for next use or transferred to others.

B. Call the visa information call center to make an appointment for a visa interview or ask visa questions. Please prepare the following information before calling: the applicant's full name, passport number, ID number, contact information, purpose of going to the United States, permanent residence in China and whether the visa has been refused before. Therefore, all long-distance telephone charges will be borne by the caller, and the call can usually be connected within 30 seconds.

2) Fill in the visa application form

A: The English application form for DS- 156 E-visa must be filled in online. Please print out all the pages (including the last page with barcode -* * * 3 pages) after completing the form and submit it during the visa interview.

B Other non-immigrant visa application forms can be downloaded from the embassy website or obtained free of charge at branches of China CITIC Bank.

C. Paste a 5 cm X5 cm color photo on the English DS- 156 form. The photo must be a front photo taken on a white background within 6 months. Click to view more US visa photo requirements.

3) Go for a visa interview

A. Please bring all visa documents with you on the day of the interview. To know what documents need to be prepared, please check the non-immigrant visa category. Non-applicants cannot accompany applicants into the visa hall. The only exception is that children under 13 can be accompanied by adult relatives for interview. Under some special circumstances, disabled people can be accompanied. Please fax the applicant's escort application and reasons to 6532-3 178.

B. Please wait in line outside when you arrive at the corresponding embassy or consulate, and wait for about 30 minutes before the appointed time.

C. Go through security check-please don't take any electronic products with you, including mobile phones. Do not carry backpacks, suitcases, briefcases or strollers. Applicants can only carry documents related to visa application.

D. Submit the visa application form and materials in the designated window, and then wait for fingerprint scanning and visa interview. The waiting time is about 2-3 hours.

E. If your visa application is approved, we will print the visa on your passport and mail it to you within five working days after the interview. If you need express service, you can also choose to pick up your visa at the China Post Office in the visa service hall opened by Chaoyang District Government (next to the entrance of the embassy visa office) on the second working day after the interview date. Some special circumstances, such as administrative hearing, supplementary certification materials or anti-counterfeiting investigation, may affect the processing speed of visa applications and delay the issuance of visas.

Legal basis:

People's Republic of China (PRC) Exit and Entry Administration Law

Article 9 China citizens shall apply for passports or other travel documents when leaving or entering the country.

China citizens who want to go to other countries or regions also need to obtain visas or other entry permits. However, unless the China government has signed visa exemption agreements with other governments or the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provide otherwise.

China citizens who leave or enter the country as seafarers and work on foreign ships shall apply for a seaman's certificate according to law.