Apply for a U.S. Visa

Please note that the date for MRV fee increase has been changed to June 17, 2023. Services for making new visa fee payments will be suspended on June 16, 2023. Do not attempt to make a visa fee payment on June 16, 2023. The services will become available for visa fee payments on June 17, 2023. Additionally, there could be a delay in updating visa fee information mentioned on this site. Please refer to the official notice, “Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases”, on this site for additional details.

The U.S. Department of State has increased certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees. These fee increases are effective June 17, 2023.

The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will no longer be in effect when the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic is revoked. Please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/

U.S. Consulate Shenyang has resumed H/L visa services and appointments are now available for selection.

On March 10, 2023, CDC removed the requirement for air passengers from the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR, to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery before boarding a flight to the United States. 

Please note that starting March 3, 2023, the processing of Interview Waiver (IW) applications in mainland China will no longer be centralized in Guangzhou. Your application will be delivered to the Embassy / Consulate that services your consular district. To save time and prevent delays, be sure to select the correct post location when you fill out your DS-160 application form online. Please refer to the list below for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates, and their respective consular districts, in mainland China. For example, if you are in Yunnan province, please select “China, Beijing” as the location on your DS-160 application form.

Applicants in Mainland China can pick up their passport and submit their documents (221(g) documents, Interview Waiver Application) at the following 5 CITIC locations for free:

• Beijing - 1F, Bldg E, No 8, Fuhua Mansion, Chaoyangmen North Street, Beijing
• Guangzhou - 1, 2 Floor, CITIC Plaza, 233 North Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong
• Shanghai - Pacific Plaza, GF, No 1168 Nanjing West Rd, Shanghai
• Shenyang - Nanhu branch, No.50, Cai Ta Street, He Ping District, Shenyang, Liaoning
• Wuhan -  No. 2 Nanjing Road, Jiang'an District, Wuhan, Hubei

Applicants can select any other CITIC pickup / drop-off locations against a fee of RMB 77 to be paid at the counter when picking up/ dropping of their documents (221(g) documents, Interview Waiver Application). EMS Premium home delivery remains available against a fee of RMB 106 per passport, regardless of visa type or destination, to be paid on delivery to the EMS courier.

All nonimmigrant visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date a receipt is issued for payment of the MRV fee.  Applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application during this 365-day period.  Please note applicants must only schedule their interview or submit their waiver application within the 365-day period.  There is no requirement the interview must occur during the 365-day period.  All receipts for payment of MRV fees issued before October 1, 2022, were extended until September 30, 2023, and remain valid until this date.

Select here to learn more about certain individual petition-based visa applicants who are now eligible for waiver of interview.

As of April 9, 2021, U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou Immigrant Visa Unit has resumed processing of fiance(e) and immigrant visa applications.  If you are an immigrant visa applicant and have received an appointment letter, please follow the instructions provided.  If you are an immigrant visa applicant who had an appointment originally scheduled January-March 2020, the IV unit will contact you to reschedule your appointment.  Please direct any questions to the U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou Immigrant Visa Unit webform at https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/visas/immigrant-visas/immigrant-visa-unit-question/.

Secretary Blinken, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification. Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 24 months were eligible for an interview waiver. The Secretary has temporarily extended the expiration period to 48 months. This change will allow consular officers to continue processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications while limiting the number of applicants who must appear at a consular section, thereby reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to other applicants and consular staff. Travelers are encouraged to review the website of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for detailed information on what services are currently available as well as eligibility information and instructions on applying for a visa without an interview.