Latest news from the U.S. Consulate: Effective March 1, 2019, only the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the U.S. Consulates General in Shanghai and Guangzhou will process H and L visa interviews. The U.S. Consulates General in Chengdu and Shenyang will no longer process H or L visa applications.
H and L visas are categories for visa applicants to work in the United States on a short-term basis as non-immigrants, depending on the type of work. According to the regulations, applying for an H or L visa requires paying a $190 application fee and submitting materials such as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) form.
What is the impact?
Following the cancellation of H and L visa application processing at the Consulates General in Chengdu and Shenyang, the number of U.S. consular posts in China authorized to process H and L visas has decreased from 5 to 3. In the future, more visa applicants will flock to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Some analysts believe that in the future, not only will it be more difficult to schedule U.S. visa appointments, but the likelihood of random audits of submitted materials and the waiting time may also increase.
Is it easier to get approved by switching to a different consulate for an interview?
As everyone knows, U.S. visa reviews are strict and waiting times are long. To increase the visa approval rate, many people travel to consulates that are rumored to have more lenient reviews for their interviews.
There was once a saying circulating online: Visa approval rate ranking: Guangzhou Consulate > Shanghai Consulate > Beijing Embassy > Shenyang Consulate > Chengdu Consulate.
Some netizens have also claimed that Beijing and Shanghai are relatively easier places to apply for non-immigrant visas.
However, looking at the data recently disclosed by U.S. consulates, the number of visa approvals in Beijing and Shanghai is far higher than in the other 3 consulates. But this does not necessarily mean that the approval rate is higher, as these two places have the largest base of applicants.
In fact, whether an interview is passed successfully depends largely on the completeness of the application materials and the applicant's performance during the interview.
In addition, according to U.S. consulate regulations, applicants are required to apply for a U.S. visa at the consulate within their jurisdiction. Unless there are special reasons such as work or medical treatment, there is a risk of visa refusal.
Therefore, changing the interview consulate at will is not advisable.
Who is more likely to be "subject to administrative processing"?
High academic qualifications + sensitive majors
For example: aviation, thermophysics, mechanics, engineering, computer science, aerospace, nuclear energy, chemistry, biomedicine, biology, electrical engineering, wireless, antennas, algorithms, chemical weapons, precision instruments, etc. All science students have the possibility of being checked. If you are studying these majors, it is better to prepare a detailed English resume in advance.
Having visited countries considered sensitive by the U.S.
If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen, the probability of being checked will be higher.
Complex personal circumstances of the applicant
For example, for a family visit visa, it is necessary to check the situation of the applicant's relatives in the United States.
Having a bad record in the United States
Having been to the United States before but having a criminal record, traffic tickets, illegal overstay, etc. However, with the subtle changes in political relations, they may now also conduct reviews "arbitrarily."
Tips: For sensitive majors, it is recommended to make the following preparations:
1. Prepare relevant materials such as pay stubs and employment verification issued by the U.S. company.
2. For questions from the visa officer about specific work in the United States, be prepared with detailed answers, especially when you need to clarify that your work content is unrelated to classified industries; you must be able to explain it clearly to the visa officer.
3. Not only should you be rigorous and serious about the visa process, but you should also be prepared for inspections by customs and immigration departments. If you are returning home to visit relatives, it is best not to carry too many work-related documents, information, or even laptops.
4. If it is necessary to carry them, try to keep work emails and devices separate from personal devices.
Precautions for U.S. visa interviews
According to the notice issued by the Chinese Embassy in the United States, even if you hold a U.S. visa, it is very common to be denied entry upon arrival in the U.S. This is often because U.S. border law enforcement agencies suspect that the individual's purpose for coming to the U.S. does not match their visa category.
In addition, according to the regulations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, all citizens of the People's Republic of China who hold a passport of the People's Republic of China and a ten-year B1 or B2 business visa must register with the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before they can be granted entry into the United States. Failure to fill it out correctly will result in denial of entry. If either the traveler's visa or passport expires, the registered information will also become invalid.
The Chinese Embassy in the United States specifically reminds Chinese citizens coming to the U.S. to abide by relevant laws when applying for a visa, to fill in the purpose of their visit to the U.S. honestly, to provide application materials truthfully, and not to engage in activities inconsistent with their visa category after arriving in the U.S.
