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Getting a Visa
Recently, the U.S. has updated its visa policies to increase
security for its citizens and visitors. Changes introduced shortly
after September 11, 2001 were the first steps of an extensive and
ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to national
security. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of
scrutiny than in the past. It will likely take you longer to get a
visa than it used to, and you will find that a few new security
measures have been put into place. So it is important to apply for
your visa well in advance of your travel departure date. For
details, see information posted by the nearest consulate or embassy.
ManacaChina, with its
offices in Beijing is in an excellent position to guide local travel
agencies through the visa process with their travelers, checking the
compilation of visa applications. By meeting with travelers and
clarifying what an applicant might reasonably expect to happen,
making applicants¡¯ interviews a less stressful and intimidating
prospect.
We know that an informed visa applicant is a more successful visa
applicant. There are to many anecdotes and urban legends being
circulated, too many misunderstandings about the process that people
feel that they need to misrepresent their intentions. In reality, if
they simply detailed exactly what they're planning, it not only has
the virtue of being the truth, but it comes across as more sincere.
People who are able to articulate who they are, what they do, why
they want to go, what they're going to do when they come home are
going to do well in their interviews. Applicants should be familiar
with statements as to their marital status, kids, house, job,
favorite dog, whatever it is which ties that individual to the place
that he or she calls home. ManacaChina can help here by conducting
preparation sessions with a native speaker.
In terms of longer-term visas for training courses and higher
education, there is a huge difference between an applicant who is
able to say ¡°I¡¯m going to go to Dartmouth for the next four years.
I'm going to study biochemistry and I'm going to come back to China
and I'm going to do X, Y and Z¡±, and one who says ¡°I'm not really
sure what I'm going to do but I'm going to go to the Thrifty
Learning Language School on 123rd Street. I'm not sure in what city.
And then try and figure out next what to do with my life.¡±
A student who really can demonstrate for the officials where their
academic experience in America fits into their broader life plan
will have a far greater chances of getting his or her visa.
Adding ManacaChina¡¯s visa assistance to your own careful screening
can help raise your visa success rate. An average of 800 US visas
are issued each day in China, that¡¯s total of around 250,000 issued
China-wide each year. Why shouldn¡¯t yours be among them?
U.S. Embassy in Beijing
Nonimmigrant Visa Unit
Visa Information Call Center's pre-paid service. People calling from
within China can dial this toll free number 4008-872-333
Shanghai local phone (021) 3881-461
From outside China dial (86-21) 3881-4611.
Please note that charges for domestic or international long-distance
calls are solely the responsibility of the caller.
The Embassy in Beijing only processes nonimmigrant visas for travel
to the United States. For information on immigrant, adopted children
or fianc¨¦e visas, please Visa Information Call Center at the
above-mentioned numbers. You may also get general information about
immigrant visas from the Department of State's Consular web page at http://travel.state.gov/.
Important Notice
Visa application form downloads:
E-Mail Visa Form
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