Embassy of the United States

Repeat travelers to the United States may qualify to use the CITIC Bank Drop-off Visa Renewal Service to renew their visas.  This process allows qualifying applicants to submit their visa application via participating CITIC branches.   Applicants may drop-off their visa application at participating branches of China CITIC Bank, if they meet the following requirements:

• The previous visa must be currently valid, or must have expired within the last twelve months.
  
• The applicant must be applying for the exact same type of visa.
  
• The applicant must be applying in the place where they usually live.
  

Applicants who meet the requirements to use this service may go in person or send a representative to any participating China CITIC Bank branch during working hours with the necessary supporting documents, including the passport that contains the original of the applicant’s previous U.S. visa. 

At most locations, China CITIC Bank charges a non-refundable service fee of RMB 200.  The fee may be slightly higher in certain locations.  For more information about submitting visa applications at a local branch of China CITIC Bank, please visit their website or inquire at a Bank location near you.

Drop Box Service for applicants with additional clearances:

In most cases, those applicants whose previous visas applications required additional administrative processing time, or who have any previous visas with a “clearance received” date printed on the visa, may not use the drop-off service and should make an appointment to interview in-person.

However, these applicants may use the drop-off service only if they are applying for a visa for the exact same purpose as their last visa.  Such applicants include students returning to school to continue with the same course of study or research, and business travelers returning to the same place in the U.S. to conduct the same business as was indicated on their previous application.  Applicants whose previous visas have a “clearance received” date printed in the annotation area should submit all documents that were requested in support of the previous application. At a minimum, documentation should include a detailed resume, a detailed itinerary, and an invitation letter including a description of the purpose of travel.  In some cases, these applicants may still be asked to conduct an in-person interview at the Consulate.

Specific requirements for F, J, H, L and C/D visas:

• In order to qualify for the drop-box service, applicants seeking to renew F, J, H and L visas must be returning to the same school, institution or workplace as was indicated on their previous visa application.  J visa holders must be applying under the same exchange visitor program number as their previous visas.
  
• F and J visa applicants returning to schools in the U.S. must submit their official transcripts of their coursework with their applications.
  
• For applicants going to the U.S. for a business purpose, it helps to provide a copy of the invitation, itinerary, and applicant’s résumé when submitting the application.
  
• C, D or C1D visa applicants are required to provide a current joining letter (original copy preferred) and photocopies of the following documents:
  
• Copy of pages 2-4 (biopage and observations) and 19-20 (amendments) of “Seafarer’s Passport”
  
• Copy of pages 1-3 (biopage and observations) and all used pages from beginning to present in “Seaman’s Record Book”
  

Instructions for Public Affairs Passport Holders:

• Public Affairs Passport holders may also use this service: ask your local foreign affairs office about the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Drop-off service.
  

Important Note - Fingerprint Reuse:

Applicants who meet the requirements to renew their visas through the CITIC Bank Drop-off Visa Renewal Service and who have already provided all 10 fingerprints to a U.S. embassy or consulate may be exempt from coming to the consulate again to be fingerprinted.

Applicants must meet all of the above requirements and have provided all 10 fingerprints (not just two; see example below) at a U.S. embassy or consulate.  (FYI:  The U.S. Consulate in Shenyang began collecting all 10 fingeprints from visa applicants on November 15, 2007.)

Applicants who do not meet the these criteria must come into the Consulate to be fingerprinted.  Applicants must bring their CITIC bank receipts for admission to the Consular Section. They will not, however, necessarily be required to go through an interview. The use of the drop-off service does not guarantee visa issuance. Incomplete and/or inaccurate applications will be returned to the China CITIC Bank and the applicant will be required to appear for a visa interview at the Consulate.