Visa Information:

Recently, the U.S. has updated its visa policies to increase security for its citizens and visitors. Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 were the first steps of an extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to national security.

Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. It will likely take you longer to get a visa than it used to, and you will find that a few new security measures have been put into place.

So it is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date. For details, see information posted by the nearest consulate or embassy.

Our partner ManacaChina with its offices in Beijing is in an excellent position to guide local travel agencies through the visa process with their travelers, checking the compilation of visa applications. By meeting with travelers and clarifying what an applicant might reasonably expect to happen, making applicants’ interviews a less stressful and intimidating prospect.

We know that an informed visa applicant is a more successful visa applicant. There are to many anecdotes and urban legends being circulated, too many misunderstandings about the process that people feel that they need to misrepresent their intentions. In reality, if they simply detailed exactly what they're planning, it not only has the virtue of being the truth, but it comes across as more sincere.

People who are able to articulate who they are, what they do, why they want to go, what they're going to do when they come home are going to do well in their interviews. Applicants should be familiar with statements as to their marital status, kids, house, job, favorite dog, whatever it is which ties that individual to the place that he or she calls home. ManacaChina can help here by conducting preparation sessions with a native speaker.

In terms of longer-term visas for training courses and higher education, there is a huge difference between an applicant who is able to say “I’m going to go to Dartmouth for the next four years. I'm going to study biochemistry and I'm going to come back to China and I'm going to do X, Y and Z”, and one who says “I'm not really sure what I'm going to do but I'm going to go to the Thrifty Learning Language School on 123rd Street. I'm not sure in what city. And then try and figure out next what to do with my life.” A student who really can demonstrate for the officials where their academic experience in America fits into their broader life plan will have a far greater chances of getting his or her visa.

Adding our visa assistance to your own careful screening can help raise your visa success rate.