Consulate General of the United States Guangzhou, China

Introduction

Qualification for Drop-off Visa Service

Procedures for Drop-off Visa Service

Introduction

The U.S. Consulate Guangzhou offers a drop-off visa service in order to expedite the visa application process.  In most cases, using this service eliminates the need to come to the Consulate for an interview. Like an interview, however, the use of the drop-off service does not guarantee visa issuance. Further, the Consulate may, in some cases, after reviewing an application submitted through the drop-off service, require a person to appear at the Consulate for an in-person interview.

Qualifications for Drop-off Visa Service

Two categories of applicants may qualify to use the drop-off visa service: (1) applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 79; and (2) applicants who have already obtained a U.S. visa that expired within the last 48 months.  Please see below for further details regarding requirements for these two categories.  The Embassy or Consulate may in some cases, after reviewing such an application, require an applicant to appear in person for a visa interview.  Due to increasing demand for visa interview appointments, we strongly encourage visa applicants who are eligible for our drop box system to take advantage of this service. 

Age Qualifications

• Children under 14 who have at least one parent who holds a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa may apply through the drop-off service.   Please include with the application 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 non-immigrant visa.  If both parents have a visa, please include with the application evidence of both parents’ visas.  Please note, if a parent or parents are applying in-person for a visa at the Consulate, not through the drop-off service, 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 either (1) have not been previously found ineligible for a U.S. visa, or (2) have been issued a valid U.S. visa that will expire less than 48 months from the date of renewal may apply through the drop-off service.

Past U.S. Travel Qualifications

Repeat travelers to the United States may qualify to use the 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 authorized providers. Using the service may eliminate the need to come to your nearest Embassy or Consulate. The use of the drop-off service does not guarantee visa issuance.

Applicants may drop-off their visa application at any of the approved drop-off service providers, if they meet the following requirements:

For All Applicants:

• You must be physically present in China.
• Your previous visa was a B (temporary visitor for business/pleasure); C1 (transit); D (crewmembers); F (students); J (exchange visitors); M (nonacademic students) or; O (visitors with extraordinary abilities).
• Your previous visa must be currently valid or must have expired within the last 48 months.
• You must be applying for the exact same type of visa. You must have provided all 10 fingerprints during a previous visa interview (see example below). Note: The U.S. Embassy and Consulates did not start collecting 10 fingerprints until November 15, 2007. If your previous visa was issued before that date you may not have submitted 10 fingerprints, and are not eligible for this program.

• Applicants renewing F1 visas whose previous visas include an annotation "clearance received" and whose visas expired less than 3 years ago should apply through the drop box submitting all documentation found here. To use the drop box, F1 visa applicants must plan to continue attending a U.S. school or institution in which they are already enrolled.
•  Applicants renewing other eligible visa classes whose previous visas have the "clearance received" annotation should schedule an appointment to apply in person.
• Applicants renewing J1 visas may use the drop box if they are continuing in an exchange program in which they are already participating.

Additional information on visa application procedures can be found here.

Procedures for Drop-off Visa Service

Step 1: Select a Drop-off Visa Service Provider
Step 2: Include Essential Documentation

All Applicants:

• Passport: Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay in the United States;
• The DS-160 application form confirmation page with the telecodes for your name; and your name, home address, company name and company address handwritten in Hanzi on your form. When printing out your confirmation page, please set “page layout” to “portrait.”  If you need telecodes, please click here;
• 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 stick your photo on the DS-160 confirmation page.
• Original Bank Receipt for Visa Application Fee: The application fee may be paid at any CITIC bank branch in China. Please glue or tape the application fee receipt onto the bottom of the DS-160 form confirmation page.  

Specific Applicants

• 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.
• Students: Include a copy of your official transcripts.
• Business travelers: It helps to include a copy of the invitation letter, itinerary, and applicant’s résumé with the application.
• If you are renewing an H, L, or P visa then you may use our CITIC drop-off service 12 months after the visa has expired. For example, if you visa expires on January 31st, 2012 then you can use the drop-off service up until January 30th 2013.
• C1/D applicants: Provide a current joining letter (original copy preferred) and photocopies of the following documents: (1) Copy of pages 2-4 (biopage and observations) and 19-20 (amendments) of  “Seafarer’s Passport”; (2) Copy of pages 1-3 (biopage and observations) and all used pages from beginning to present in “Seaman’s Record Book.”
• Please review the requirements for your applicable visa category to determine other essential and recommended documentation.