NOVEMBER 14, 2014 3:04 AM November 14, 2014 3:04 am
Secretary of State John Kerry issued one of the first 10-year visas to a Chinese applicant, Yang Bo, at the United States Embassy in Beijing on Wednesday.Credit Wang Zhao/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
The United States and Chinese governments announced on Monday a significant easing of visa regulations that would grant 10-year multiple-entry business and tourist visas for each others’ citizens. Students and exchange visitors could receive five-year visas. Under previous rules, most visitors received only one-year visas. China already sends the largest number of nonimmigrant foreign visitors to the United States, recently overtaking Mexico. The visa changes are expected to accelerate that increase.
In an interview, Edward J. Ramotowski, the United States deputy assistant secretary for visa services at the State Department, discussed how the new visa policy came about, what remains to be done and where the United States stands to benefit:
Q.
How have the new visa rules worked out so far?
A.
So far it’s been great. As you know Secretary [of State John] Kerry turned over the first U.S. 10-year visas ever issued to Chinese nationals yesterday [Wednesday] in Beijing, and also the first five-year visas for some Chinese students headed to the United States. The government of China indicated to us they’ve also issued their first 10-year visas to Americans in the United States. We’re very excited and pleased with this new arrangement.
Q.
Has the new policy resulted in more applicants, or applicants changing their plans?
A.
Traditionally, in other countries where the visa reciprocity has been increased, it has led to an increase in applications and we don’t think China will be any different, so we are gearing up to handle more cases. But the visa demand in China was already growing rapidly before the announcement, and we expect it to grow even faster now.
Q.
By how much?
A.
Demand in China has been up by double digits in recent years. As you know, President Obama established a goal of 100 million foreign visitors to the United States by 2020 as part of his effort to increase U.S. exports, because foreign tourists coming to the United States constitute an export of tourist services. We have a worldwide surplus in that account. We also have it with China, so the U.S. government is highly interested in encouraging more eligible Chinese visitors and students to come to our country and enjoy what America has to offer. It helps our economy, it keeps American citizens employed, and it gives the Chinese people who travel a real firsthand impression of the United States.
We expect to see an increase in demand this year and next year, particularly since the individuals that have the earlier, one-year visas will probably be renewing them to get the 10-year visa. But we’d like to emphasize to the public that this is a long-term commitment, not a short-term offer, and so there’s no need to rush in and automatically renew your visa right away if it’s still valid and if you don’t have immediate travel plans.
