According to the Chinese American Post, Charles Bennett, the Minister-Counselor for Consular Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in China, stated in an interview that the U.S. embassies and consulates in China will do their utmost to reduce the waiting time for visa processing.
Dr. Winner Xing, President of Worldway, with Mr. Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois
Bennett said: “Our goal is to minimize the waiting time for visa processing at the Chinese visa offices, but since we do not control the appointment requests, it is difficult to set a specific target. However, we are increasing the staff at the embassy and consulates in China and coordinating internal procedures to eliminate inconveniences. We are also concentrating the processing of certain special visas in locations with ample space and personnel.”
The U.S. Embassy in China announced on its Weibo account on October 6 that in the fiscal year 2011, the total number of visa applications processed by the U.S. embassies and consulates in China exceeded one million for the first time in history, ranking second among U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, only behind the U.S. Embassy in Mexico.
“Last year, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, and Chengdu processed approximately 774,000 visa applications. This year’s total has increased by 34% compared to last year.” Bennett stated, “This year, there has also been a significant reduction in waiting times. From May to August each year is our busiest period, and this year we did not let any applicant wait more than 60 days, while in 2010, this number was close to 90 days.”
