There is a large number of students currently studying in the United States, and there have been several new changes to U.S. visa policies in 2018. Whether you are traveling to the U.S. for study or tourism, it is essential to understand these policy shifts. Influenced by factors such as the Trump administration's tightening of policies and the China-U.S. trade war, applicants for U.S. student and tourist visas in 2018 should pay close attention to the following aspects:
I. Increased Rate of Telephone Inquiries for U.S. Visa Applicants
Starting from the beginning of the year, visa officers will conduct random telephone inquiries 1 to 3 days before the scheduled visa interview.
We would like to remind everyone: be sure to answer calls from the embassy promptly, answer the visa officer's questions truthfully, and think carefully before responding. Try to ensure your answers are consistent with the content of your application materials to avoid raising suspicion from the visa officer. Remember to remind your company's HR department, relatives, or travel companions to be prepared to answer calls, and keep your travel itinerary well in mind.
II. Social Media Information to be Reviewed Upon Entry
Under the new regulations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have jointly proposed amendments to the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS), planning to add a requirement for collecting applicants' social media information. This means that all Chinese citizens holding U.S. business or tourist visas must submit their social media identity information, such as Facebook, WeChat, Weibo, etc.
Additionally, according to the new U.S. entry policy, even if you hold a valid U.S. visa, immigration officers have the right to inspect your social media information upon entry. Under the new rules, before entering the U.S., everyone should check their mobile phones and computers to see if there is any sensitive content in text messages, WeChat, Weibo, or Facebook, so as not to cause unnecessary misunderstandings or trouble.
III. Shortened Eligibility for Interview Waivers
The U.S. Embassy has clearly stipulated that applicants who meet one of the following three conditions may be exempt from an interview:
(1) Children under 14 years of age
(2) Seniors over 80 years of age
(3) Individuals whose previous U.S. visa expired no more than 12 months ago
The previous rule for the third condition was that you could renew your visa without an interview if your U.S. visa had expired within two years. This has now been shortened to within 12 months of expiration; we hope everyone takes note of this!
Furthermore, the new regulations state that Chinese citizens whose previous U.S. visa expired no more than 12 months ago, as well as seniors over 80 and children under 14, can still process their visa renewal through the CITIC Bank's visa drop-box service. If your visa has been expired for more than 12 months, you must prepare your interview materials again and schedule an appointment for an interview.
IV. No More Requests for Additional Evidence Starting September 11
On July 13, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy regarding visas:
Effective September 11 of this year, immigration officers have the authority to directly deny immigration or non-immigrant visa applications if the materials submitted by the applicant are incomplete or insufficient, without the need to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) before making a decision. Starting September 11, the practice of allowing supplemental materials will no longer be in effect; applicants missing materials will be denied outright! This new policy applies to all immigration or non-immigrant applications received by USCIS, as well as various requests for change of status.