Immigrant Visa Section Begins to Return Visas by Mail
The Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou, China is pleased to announce the inauguration of a courier delivery and pick-up service for all immigrant visas issued from April 27, 2005. Courier delivery will offer convenient and timely return of immigrant visas through the China Post system. Visa recipients from within Guangdong Province will have the option of the Consulate mailing the visas directly to the applicant's home address. The visas may also be picked up at the designated China Post office on Shamian Island in Guangzhou, a short walk from the Consulate. Please note that applicants from outside of Guangdong Province must, for now, pick up their visa packages at the China Post office on Shamian Island near the Consulate. All immigrant visa recipients must use the China Post system for return of the visas. There will be a modest charge for this service. Details will be provided to each visa recipient on the day of their interview.
Overcome Collection Hours
Our overcome document collection hours will be changed to 2pm - 3pm any Monday through Wednesday (except holidays) beginning May 16, 2005. Our consular services are moving to a new location; schedule changes and the new location address will be announced by July 18. For the latest updates, please check our website .
Notice on Immigration Visa Surcharge
Beginning March 8, 2005, IV applicants who have paid the current $335 IV application fee via National Visa Center, but not the new surcharge, must pay it (RMB 373.5 or $45) at post. IV applicants who haven't paid any application fee should pay a total amount of RMB 3,154 or $380, on the day of the interview.
Requirements for Immigrant Visa Application Photos
Each immigrant visa (excluding K and V) applicant, regardless of age, must submit two photos as described below. These photos must have been taken within the past six months. (NOTE: This requirement also applies to all previously-interviewed immigrant visa applicants whose visas have not yet been issued.) Please write your name on the back of the photos lightly with a ballpoint pen or a pencil, in order not to damage the photos.
Unmounted full-face photo. A "full face" photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. The applicant should not be looking down or to either side, and the face should cover about 50% of the area of the photo. Although variations in hair styles and in head coverings make it difficult to rigorously define the term "face", in general the head of the applicant, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom, and from hair line side-to-side. It is preferable that the ears be exposed. The key requirement is that the photograph clearly identify the applicant.
The photograph should measure 2 inches square (roughly 50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch and 1? inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1? inches and 1? inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. Photos may be either in color or black and white and must be taken against a white or off-white background. Photos should be printed without borders. Photos taken in front of busy, patterned or dark backgrounds will not be accepted.
Important Notice
Photographs not taken in accordance with the above specifications will be rejected and issuance of your visa will be delayed.
IV Processing Continues As Normal
Contrary to rumor, the Immigrant Visa Section has not stopped processing any category of immigrant or quasi-immigrant (K, V) visa. Due to the recent installation of new computer software and U.S. biometric requirements however, case processing requires more time. Therefore, applicants may experience a longer wait for their interview. This delay can be expected across the board, i.e. in all visa categories.
We thank you for your patience and understanding.
Notice of Fingerprint Policy
U.S. law regulates the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou to begin taking fingerprint scans, a new technology which will greatly improve the security of international travel. Along with your photo we will be collecting an electronic image of the fingerprints on your two index fingers. The process is very quick. It involves no ink, and will be done during your visa application with a simple electronic scanner.
Like the photograph we print on your visa, these scanned fingerprints will help identify you upon entry to the United States and will prevent your visa from being misused should it be lost or stolen. Your scanned fingerprints will be kept in a secure database and not printed on your visa. They will be used to help keep international travel safe and secure.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Visa Information Call Center
Announcement: On March 3, 2004, the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou transitioned to a China-wide Visa Information Call Center that will provide visa-related information to visa applicants.
Telephone Number: For callers in China: 4008-872-333.
For callers outside of China: 86-21-3881-4611
Hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm (Monday-Friday)
8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Saturday)
Goal: The Visa Information Call Center will improve customer service for visa applicants, providing callers with easy access and accurate and timely information regarding the visa process. Callers will be able to access information on all visa-types and application procedures for both immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
The National Visa Information call center, in addition to providing general information about the immigrant visa application process, now provides certain information regarding specific IV applications. Immigrant visa applicants or petitioners may call the center to find out whether or not their immigrant visa petitions have been received by the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, if their interviews have been scheduled, and when scheduled interviews will take place. For more information about how to contact the call center, please refer to .
Fee: Callers will need to pay a small fee to access the Call Center. The initial charge will be 54 RMB for 12 minutes of use. Any calls that take longer than 12 minutes, of which we anticipate there will be relatively few, will be assessed an additional 54 RMB for each 12-minute segment. Please note that international calls will incur international connection charges.
Payment options: Callers will be able to pay for the service using international credit card, bank draft, or postal order.
International Credit Card: Payment can be made by entering the international credit card number into the telephone for validation.
Bank draft/Postal order: Applicants can send either of these to the Call Center, and 10 days later may call and access the service.
CITIC Bank: We are working with CITIC Bank to provide an additional option by which applicants may purchase Call Center calling cards directly from CITIC Bank. Details on this option will be available shortly.
Note: Immigrant visa telephone inquiries can no longer be made by calling the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou directly - all immigrant visa telephone inquiries will be answered through the Visa Information Center. The Immigrant Visa Unit will continue to answer email inquires on specific cases. Please use this to contact the IV Unit by email.
Re-payment of Immigrant Visa (IV) Processing Fee
According to Department of State guidelines, re-payment of the IV processing fee ($335.00) is required if evidence to overcome a refusal, i.e. 221(g), 212(a)(4), is not made within one year of the date of last refusal; this fee will be collected for all cases in which the delay is not due to US Government processing. The US Consulate/Guangzhou's Immigrant Visa Unit will institute this new procedure beginning December 15, 2003.
Speed up document checking
In order to speed up the document checking process when you come to the Consulate for your interview, the panel physician facilities will be checking your materials for completeness and putting the documents in the proper order for interview.
At the time of your medical exam, please bring all the documents listed on Form OF-171, Appointment Letter for Immigrant Visa Applicants" (K3/K4 applicants please refer to "Letter to K3/K4 Applicants"; V applicants please refer to "Letter to V Applicants"), with you to the . The staff there will help to put these materials in order, and then return them to you in a sealed envelope which is to be opened only by the Consulate staff at the time of interview. Your signature will be required to indicate your participation in the process.
U.S. Citizen Inquiry Hours
U.S. Citizen petitioners who would like general information on the Immigrant Visa process in Guangzhou may attend an information session hosted by a Consular Officer on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. The aim of these sessions is to address frequently-asked questions and provide you with a better understanding of the process. Case specific information will not be available. As of February 1, 2005, the session will be held on Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
(Note: If you have case-specific questions, you may email the Immigrant Visa Unit. Please use this to contact us. Emails are responded to in the order received and will be answered in five to seven business days.)
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