US Consulates in China Relax Visa Interview Appointment Policy
The Department of State has announced that effective immediately, non-immigrant visa applicants may book interview appointments at any U.S. Consular Section in China, regardless of the province or city where they live. Under the old policy, appointments had to be made only at a specific consulate, based on province of residence.
Consular Sections are located at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and U.S. Consulates General in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang. The purpose of the rule is, according to the State Department, to “increasing mutual understanding between the United States and China through people-to-people exchange.” According to Department of State numbers, in 2009, almost 500,000 people received U.S. non-immigrants visas in China and the new policy should serve to increase this number by eliminating barriers to application.
