Getting a U.S. visa is the first step for almost every Chinese citizen who wants to travel, study, work or settle in the United States. China is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, so holders of ordinary PRC passports need a visa in advance, however short the stay. Since the second half of 2025 the U.S. has changed its rules on interview waivers, where to apply, visa fees and work visas, so past experience may no longer apply.
Following the order in which you would apply from China, this guide covers the visa types Chinese citizens use most, the process, documents, fees, where to apply in China and common reasons for refusal, plus the path from a visa to a green card and citizenship. Always check the latest fees and rules from the State Department and the U.S. Mission in China.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for the U.S.?
Yes. Holders of ordinary mainland Chinese passports cannot use ESTA and must obtain the right category of visa. B1/B2 visitor visas for Chinese citizens are usually issued for 10 years with multiple entries; the length of each stay is decided by the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.
- EVUS enrolment: PRC passport holders with a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa must enrol in EVUS before travelling to the U.S., usually updating every two years or when they get a new passport. Since 30 September 2025 the EVUS fee has been $30.
- Stricter interview rules: since 2 September 2025 almost all nonimmigrant applicants must attend an interview. The main exception is renewal of a full-validity B1/B2 visa within 12 months of expiry, if the applicant was at least 18 when it was issued.
- Where to apply: since 6 September 2025 applicants should apply in their country of nationality or legal residence, so Chinese citizens should apply in China.
- Immigrant visa pause: from 21 January 2026 the U.S. paused immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries; China is not on the list.
U.S. visa types at a glance
| Visa | For whom | Validity / stay | Application fee | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1/B2 | Tourism, family visits, business meetings, short-term medical treatment | Usually 10 years, multiple entry, for Chinese citizens | $185 | Embassy in Beijing and consulates |
| F-1 / M-1 | Academic and vocational students | Length of studies | $185 + SEVIS $350 | As above |
| J-1 | Visiting scholars, exchange programmes | Length of programme | $185 + SEVIS $220 | As above |
| H-1B | Specialty-occupation professionals | Usually 3 years initially, up to 6 | $205 (plus employer petition fees) | USCIS approval first |
| L-1 | Intra-company transferees | As approved | $205 (plus fraud fee etc.) | As above |
| O-1 | People of extraordinary ability | As approved | $205 | As above |
| K-1 | Fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens | Marry within 90 days of entry | $265 | Consulate General Guangzhou |
| Immigrant visa | Family, employment, investor immigrants | Permanent residence on entry | Family $325 / employment $345 | Consulate General Guangzhou |
There is no treaty of commerce between China and the U.S., so Chinese citizens cannot apply for E-1/E-2 treaty trader or investor visas, a point agents often leave out. Check current fees on the State Department fee page.
Short-stay visa process
- Complete the DS-160 onlineGive accurate personal, work, travel and social-media information and print the confirmation page
- Pay and bookPay the fee and book an interview through the scheduling system named on the U.S. Mission China website
- Prepare documentsPassport, DS-160 confirmation, photo and supporting documents
- Interview and fingerprintsAttend the interview on time; the officer tells you the outcome on the spot or issues a request for more documents
- Administrative processing (if any)Some cases need further review, from weeks to months
- Collect your passport and enrol in EVUSWith a 10-year B1/B2 visa, complete EVUS before you fly
Document checklist
At the interview the officer mainly judges whether you have immigrant intent and whether your purpose matches the visa category. Core and common supporting documents:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay, and old passports with previous U.S. visas
- DS-160 confirmation, appointment confirmation and a compliant photo
- Employment letter (position, income, approved leave) or business licence or retirement certificate
- Bank statements, deposit certificates, property certificates and other proof of assets
- Itinerary; for family visits, the inviter’s ID and proof of relationship
- Students: I-20, admission letter, proof of funds for tuition and living costs, transcripts
- Work visas: the I-797 approval notice from USCIS and employer documents
Immigrant visas and some work visas also require a police certificate, notarised birth records and similar documents. For how to obtain and legalise Chinese documents see Getting a no-criminal-record certificate and Apostille and consular legalisation.
Fees and processing times
According to the State Department fee schedule, non-petition visas such as B, F and J cost $185; petition-based visas such as H, L and O cost $205; K visas $265; family immigrant visas $325 and employment immigrant visas $345. Students and exchange visitors also pay the SEVIS fee: $350 for F/M and usually $220 for J. Application fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another person.
A law passed in July 2025 also sets a “visa integrity fee” of at least $250 on most nonimmigrant visas, payable when the visa is issued and refundable if you meet conditions such as leaving on time. At the time we checked, the exact start date and payment method still depended on formal notices from the State Department and DHS.
Processing time depends mainly on appointment waits and whether your case goes into administrative processing. Students and scholars in sensitive science and engineering fields are more likely to be asked for extra review, so start at least three months ahead.
Work and long-term visas
The H-1B is the most common U.S. work visa, with a regular annual cap of 65,000 plus 20,000 for holders of U.S. master’s degrees or higher. Under a final rule published in December 2025, from 27 February 2026 the H-1B selection is weighted by wage level, so higher salaries have better odds. A presidential proclamation of 19 September 2025 added a $100,000 payment for new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S. who need a visa to enter; change of status inside the U.S. (such as F-1 to H-1B), extensions and changes of employer were not affected. On 8 June 2026 a federal district court in Massachusetts vacated the policies implementing the payment, and in July the First Circuit refused to stay that ruling. On 18 September 2026 the government extended the proclamation to 21 September 2027, but it is not being enforced while the court ruling stands. An executive order the same day also told agencies to look at H-1B employers’ layoffs. Things are moving fast, so ask your employer’s immigration lawyer to confirm.
Other routes include the L-1 intra-company transfer (one continuous year with an affiliated company abroad), the O-1 for extraordinary ability, and EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 employment green cards. China-born employment-based applicants usually face long backlogs, so build the waiting time into your plans. For the job market itself see Working in the United States.
Student visas
In the 2024/25 academic year about 265,900 students from China were in the U.S., down about 4% year on year. An F-1 visa requires an I-20 issued by the school, proof of SEVIS payment and sufficient funds. After graduation students can apply for OPT, with an extension available for STEM majors. Officers look closely at field of study and source of funds; students in sensitive technology fields should prepare a detailed study plan and supervisor details. For choosing a school, tuition and student insurance see Education and studying in the United States.
Family reunion
U.S. citizens can sponsor spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents; these “immediate relatives” have no annual cap. Green-card holders can sponsor only spouses and unmarried children, and must wait for a visa number. Fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens can apply for a K-1 visa and must marry within 90 days of arrival. All immigrant visa interviews in China take place at the Consulate General in Guangzhou. If family members are spread across North America, compare the rules in our Canada visa guide.
Investment and the “Gold Card”
The U.S. has no digital nomad visa and no dedicated retirement visa. The main investment route is EB-5: under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 the minimum investment is $1.05 million, or $800,000 in a targeted employment area, and the investment must create 10 full-time jobs. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation from 1 January 2027. The Gold Card launched in 2025 lists a $15,000 processing fee and a $1 million contribution after vetting on its official site, with green cards issued in the EB-1 or EB-2 category; the corporate version costs $2 million per employee. Applications have been accepted since December 2025, but according to USCIS declarations filed in court, only three had received final approval by August 2026, and a lawsuit challenging the programme is still pending.
Investor-visa scams often involve fake projects or promises of “guaranteed approval” or “guaranteed returns”. Before investing, check the project’s status with USCIS yourself and hire an independent lawyer rather than relying only on an agent.
Where to apply in China
| Post | City | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Embassy | Beijing | Nonimmigrant visas |
| U.S. Consulate General Shanghai | Shanghai | Nonimmigrant visas |
| U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou | Guangzhou | Nonimmigrant visas; all immigrant visa interviews in China |
| U.S. Consulate General Shenyang | Shenyang | Nonimmigrant visas |
| U.S. Consulate General Wuhan | Wuhan | Check the scheduling system for whether interviews are offered |
The U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu closed in 2020. Available visa categories and waiting times at each post change, so rely on what the scheduling system shows.
Common reasons for refusal and tips
- Section 214(b): the most common ground, meaning the officer was not convinced you have no immigrant intent. Young, single applicants without stable jobs or assets need to show stronger ties to China.
- Inconsistent information: discrepancies between the DS-160, interview answers and documents, or false documents, can lead to long-term ineligibility.
- Administrative processing: a request for more documents is not a refusal; submit what is asked and wait.
- Past violations: anyone who has overstayed or worked illegally will find it very hard to get another visa.
You can reapply after a refusal, but you must pay a new fee, and it is best to wait until your circumstances have materially changed. For renewing your passport in China see Applying for and renewing a Chinese passport.
From visa to green card and citizenship
Green-card holders can generally apply for naturalisation after five years of continuous residence (three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen). The U.S. allows dual nationality, but China does not: under the PRC Nationality Law, a Chinese national who settles abroad and voluntarily acquires foreign nationality automatically loses Chinese nationality. See U.S. residency and green cards for keeping your status and Dual nationality and China’s Nationality Law on nationality. For life in the U.S. in general, go back to our guide to moving to the United States.
FAQ
Do I need proof of savings for a U.S. tourist visa?
There is no official minimum balance, and the officer may not look at it, but proof of assets and income helps show you can pay for the trip and will return, so bring it.
How long does a U.S. visa take?
From the form to getting your passport back can take a few weeks if all goes well, or several months when appointments are scarce or your case goes into administrative processing. Start early for student and work visas.
Can I work in the U.S. on a visitor visa?
No. B1/B2 visas do not allow employment; F-1 students may only work on campus within limits or through authorised training such as OPT. Unauthorised work will affect all future visa applications.
How long can I stay on a 10-year visa?
The officer decides at entry; B2 visitors usually get up to six months, as shown on the electronic I-94 record. Overstaying automatically voids the visa.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State – Fees for Visa Services (accessed October 2026)
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – I-901 SEVIS Fee (accessed October 2026)
- MIT International Students Office – CBP to increase I-94, ESTA and EVUS fees, effective 30 Sept 2025 (university notice) (accessed October 2026)
- Morgan Lewis – State Department policy changes on interview waivers and place of application (law firm note, Sept 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- EIG Law – DOS updates nonimmigrant visa interview rules by country of residence (law firm note) (accessed October 2026)
- Manifest Law – The $250 Visa Integrity Fee explained (law firm note, Nov 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- CalChamber – H-1B updates: new selection rules, $100k fee withstands legal challenge (Jan 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Mintz – State Department suspends immigrant visa processing for 75 countries (law firm note, Jan 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- South China Morning Post – US halts immigrant visas for 75 countries, China not on list (media report) (accessed October 2026)
- South China Morning Post – Chinese student numbers in US continue to fall (Open Doors 2025, media report) (accessed October 2026)
- Trump Gold Card – official site (accessed October 2026)
- U.S. Mission China – Visas (accessed October 2026)
- Columbia University ISSO – USCIS guidance on the $100,000 H-1B payment (university notice, Oct 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- Columbia University ISSO – New H-1B proclamation and executive order, Sept 2026 (university notice) (accessed October 2026)
- Manifest Law – $100k H-1B fee extended to Sept 2027, not currently enforceable (law firm note, Sept 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- USCIS Policy Manual – Vol. 6, Part G, Ch. 2: EB-5 investment amounts (accessed October 2026)
- EB5Investors.com – Gold Card figures from USCIS court declarations (trade media, Oct 2026) (accessed October 2026)
