Visas For Chinese Citizens To Usa

[jazzbo]

This from the US Department of Commerce website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Gutierrez Signs U.S.-China Tourism Agreement to Boost Visits to U.S.

Memorandum of understanding forecasted to bring 579,000 customers to U.S. tourism industry as of 2011

BEIJING, CHINA—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will bring more customers to the U.S. tourism industry by facilitating group leisure travel from China to the United States and permit United States destinations to market themselves in China.

The agreement between the United States and China was announced at the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) and is expected to be implemented in the spring of 2008.

“Today’s agreement will open a large and growing market for the U.S. travel and tourism industry,” said Gutierrez. “This creates positive economic benefits for the United States and strengthens the relationship between our nations. Now more Chinese visitors have an opportunity to experience America’s hospitality, cultural diversity and natural beauty.”

The U.S. travel and tourism industry will benefit from this MOU. Chinese visitation is forecasted to reach 579,000 Chinese travelers to the U.S. by 2011, which will increase tourism related exports.

On average, Chinese citizens spend more during their stay than visitors from other countries. In 2006, average per visitor spending by Chinese citizens traveling to the United States was more than $6,000.

The agreement was reached under the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Travel and Tourism Working Group. During the May Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) II meeting in Washington, DC, the United States and China signed a declaration to launch formal negotiations to facilitate Chinese group leisure travel to the United States. This MOU facilitates travel for Chinese citizens within the State Department’s existing visa procedures and may be terminated if significant numbers of group travelers overstay their period of admission into the United States. # # #

[taxout]

No, it's not an extension of the visa waiver program to China, but a "relaxation" of the visa requirements for those travelling on group tours. There are a lot stories about this in the Chinese press, but not much detail as to what "relaxation" really involves.

[EricZ]

How hard is it for a Chinese citizen living in Thailand on a student vsa to obtain a tourist visa to the US from Thailand?

Thanks

[Tinkelbell]

How hard is it for a Chinese citizen living in Thailand on a student vsa to obtain a tourist visa to the US from Thailand?

Thanks

Sorry to rain on your parade.

I don't think you can apply a tourist visa to the US from the second country.

Years ago, my Thai friend was visiting her daughter ( attending the Univ. ) in the US. Her son was in school in UK. She had her son gone to the US Embassy in London to apply a visiting visa, so he could come to US to spend a x-mas together.

The US Embassy told the son that he has to go back to TL (the original country), to apply from there.

It's worth to call up the US Emb. to hear more up-dated regulations.

Good luck!

[giruz]

How hard is it for a Chinese citizen living in Thailand on a student vsa to obtain a tourist visa to the US from Thailand?

Thanks

Sorry to rain on your parade.

I don't think you can apply a tourist visa to the US from the second country.

Years ago, my Thai friend was visiting her daughter ( attending the Univ. ) in the US. Her son was in school in UK. She had her son gone to the US Embassy in London to apply a visiting visa, so he could come to US to spend a x-mas together.

The US Embassy told the son that he has to go back to TL (the original country), to apply from there.

It's worth to call up the US Emb. to hear more up-dated regulations.

Good luck!

When my girlfriend was studying in Australia won a scholarship to go in the US for a 6months exchange as part of her master.

She went to the US embassy and the guy at the entrance (kind of security/receptionist) told her that was almost impossible to get a US-Visa outside the country of origin (Thailand) unless permanent resident of Australia. However, he said that she was allowed to apply.

This because nevertheless she had a master to complete after the exchange period, immigration did not believe she would have returned to Australia once terminated the semester/scholarship in US. Also, she has been told that even a tourist visa was out of mind due to her limited finances (she was working part/time)

The guy suggested her to fly to Bangkok and then apply there. (It is out of my comprehension why applying in Bangkok would have made any difference than applying in Sydney.)

Another story in London (were we live now). Again my girlfriend has a Chinese colleague who holds a 2 years working Visa.

This person applied for a two weeks tourist visa and obtained a 1-year tourist visa to the US without hassles. (Her salary is about 21,000 GBP/pa so it is just a bit over entry level here in London)

g.

g.

[thaihome]

It is possible to get a tourist visa outside your country of citizenship, but you need to be able to prove residency (does not have to be permanent residency) in that country. I know this as my wife got her US tourist visa outside Thailand while living in another Asian country on a dependent visa based on my working visa. So I think a Chinese citizen living in Thailand on s student visa would be able to apply at the US consulate in Bangkok.

TH

[Driving57]

Yes you can my wife is Chinese living in Thailand and got a visa to visit France is where we first met after meeting on the Internet. Then a few months later she came over to visit me in the states though we sponsored her by providing our information to her to when she applied.

Also she was gainfully employed in Thailand and had been living here some years before so she supplied them with her place of employment and they also guaranteed her..