VISA RENEWAL/CITIC BANK DROP-OFF SERVICE

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 apply for a new visa by submitting their visa application via CITIC bank. Using the service may eliminate the need to come to the Consulate. The use of the drop-off service does not guarantee visa issuance. The Consulate may in some cases, after reviewing an application submitted through CITIC Bank, require a person to appear in person for a visa interview at the Embassy.

Applicants may drop-off their visa application at 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.
• Most applicants whose visa application requires additional administrative processing time, or who have any previous visas with a “clearance received” date printed in the annotation area, may not use the drop-off service and should make an appointment to interview in-person. Applicants whose previous visa was annotated with "clearance received" 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 their 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 present at the Consulate for an interview.

Specific requirements may also apply to certain types of applicants:

• 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”

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

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.

CITIC BANK DROP-OFF SERVICE FOR APPLICANTS UNDER 14 OR OVER 79 YEARS OF AGE

Applicants under 14 or over 79 years of age who would normally apply in Guangzhou can send their nonimmigrant visa applications to the visa unit through China CITIC Bank, without the need to apply in person.

Children under 14 are not required to come to the U.S. Consulate to apply for a nonimmigrant visa.  If at least one parent holds a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa, a child may apply through the CITIC Bank Drop-off service.  If a parent or parents are applying for a visa at the same time as a child under 14, the parent(s) may bring in the child's application at the time of their interview and apply on the child's behalf.

Applicants who are 80 years old or older, and have not been previously found ineligible for U.S. visas, are not required to come to the U.S. Consulate to apply for nonimmigrant visas. 

Such applicants may apply by sending the following documentation to the Consulate through CITIC Bank Drop-off service:

• Passport: Passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay in the United States;
• Completed Visa Application Forms: DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form (for all applicants) & DS-157 Supplemental Visa Application Form (for applicants over 16 years old);
• One Photograph: Two inches square (50x50 mm) color photo, less than 6 months old, against a white background, with full frontal view. The photo should be glued to the DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form;
• Original Bank Receipt for Visa Application Fee: The 904 RMB application fee may be paid at any CITIC Bank branch in China;
• Children under 14 years old: Please provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate/ or family hukou registration book, as well as a copy of the parent’s passport and a copy of the parent’s valid nonimmigrant visa.

At most locations, CITIC Bank charges a non-refundable service fee of RMB 200.  For more information about submitting visa applications at a local branch of CITIC Bank, please inquire at a bank location near you.  Please note the drop-off service is optional.  Applicants who are qualified to use this service may still apply in person under the regular appointment system. 

Note: The use of the drop-off service does not guarantee visa issuance.  The Consulate may in some cases, after reviewing an application submitted through CITIC Bank, require a person to appear in person for a visa interview at the Consulate.