Once the U.S. Embassy has approved a member company's entry into the program, visa cases may be submitted through the AmCham-China Business Visa Program by the following process:  

Step 1.  Applicants who have not previously obtained a U.S. visa or have a U.S. visa that has expired for over 12 months must gather and complete the following documents:

1). An invitation letter and a Certification Letter with company letterhead (Certification Letter can be used only for company employees) summarizing the purpose for travel, the relationship between company and the applicant, sponsor of the trip, and traveling period. The invitation letter must be original or fax copy (photocopy is not accepted, the fax copy should display the fax number). We can only accept the original Certification Letter. The applicant shall have a copy of the invitation letter and certification letter in hand when he/she visits the United States.

2). Business Visa Program Authorization Form. The details of more than one applicant from a company may be listed on one form, if they want to visit the U.S. Embassy at the same time for the interview/fingerscan. AmCham-China only accepts Authorization Forms with an original signature (photocopy or fax copy is not accepted). The form must be signed by the AmCham-China voting member or alternate who signed the AmCham-China Business Visa Certification Form.

3). Non-immigrant Visa Application Form

Online DS-160 form (EVAF):  The EVAF can be found from the following website: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. We recommend you read the instructions carefully before beginning your application, please click here. If you need telecodes, please click here.

4). Travel Itinerary Form (one per applicant or each member of a group must have a copy of the group's itinerary). 

5). Private passport(s) valid for at least 6 months after the applicant's planned return to China .

6). One photograph: Two inches square (51mm x 51mm) color photograph, less than 6 months old, against a white background, full frontal view. Click for more information on photo requirements. Please use scotch tape to stick your photo on the front cover of your passport. Please find attached the “photo requirements” document. 

 7)  Visa Application Fee Receipt (one per applicant) available at designated CITIC Bank branches. All applicants applying for nonimmigrant visas in China must pay the non-refundable application fees at designated branches of China CITIC Bank. Both copies of the CITIC Bank fee receipt must be included with all visa applications.

Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of RMB 910. These categories include:

- B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and exchange visitor (J1) visas,

Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of RMB 975. These categories include:
- H visa for temporary workers and trainees
- L visa for intracompany transferees (for individuals who are being transferred by their company in China to a branch or related company in the United States.)

8). AmCham-China "Official Permit Card": Your messenger will not be accepted without the “Official Permit Card”,

Step 2: Send your messenger with the completed forms and RMB 300 (per application) service charge to the AmCham-China office. Applications will only be accepted Monday through Friday 9:00 AM.-11:00 AM AmCham-China associates will provide a receipt for all applications received and an interview form.

Step 3:  Applicants should visit the U.S. Embassy on the scheduled date and time for an interview and finger scan, Monday through Friday. 

- Applicants must also bring following documents to the U.S. Embassy at the time of their interview:
* Company Working Card, Salary Certification, Business Card, I.D. Card and Resume (click here for a sample resume)

- Applicants should also bring as many of the following documents as possible to the U.S. Embassy for their interview:
 * Bankbook, Car Purchase Contract, Real Estate Contract, Marriage Certificate, Registered Permanent Residence, Family Photo

Interview applicants who visit the U.S. for purchasing equipment/product:   The interview applicants visiting the U.S. to purchase equipment/product will be asked to prepare additional documentation in English such as a contract, product/equipment description, company description, etc. along with applicants’ detailed resumes.  In this case, the Visa Officers have a better idea of the purpose of applicants’ travel.


Step 4: The applicants will have his/her passport returned by the China Post Office or pick up from Visa Service Center (Near the entrance to the Visa Section of the Embassy).  

• How to Apply for a US Visa Through the Business Visa Program
• What kind of Applicants Can Apply for a U.S. Visa Through the Business Visa Program

• Steps and Required Materials for Applicants
  • Steps for Applicants Who Do Require an Interview
  • Applicants Who Do NOT Require an Interview

• Basic Visa Categories
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
• The US Embassy Closure Notice