7 月15 日: 簽證官直通熱線 -- View Transcript 
07-15-2008 03:58:51
網友提問： Welcome to today's webchat. We are reviewing your questions and will begin answering them shortly.
感謝您參加今天的網談。我們正在瀏覽大家提出的問題并將很快給予答復。
 
07-15-2008 04:02:36
yilao: 您好，簽證官！ 
 
原打算夫妻二人相伴去探望在美國讀研究生的兒子，簽證申請表中也填了計劃到美國的日期在 10 月份。聽說這種情況通常是發給一年多次入境簽證的，不料簽發下來給妻子的是這種，給我的卻是 3 個月的，9 月16 日就到期了，根本不能覆蓋計劃的日期。請問我是不是必須改變計劃提前赴美？我妻子因工作關系無法提前，那么我在美允許停留時間為多少？能否待到妻子按原計劃訪美并一起返回中國？  
 
猜測只給我 3 個月有效期的原因，可能是：1、我 9 月份就滿 60 歲，簽證官知道中國規定 60 歲退休，故認為我的個人情況屬于有重大變化？還是：2、因我是從事科技工作的專業人士（此次是經過 1 個多月的額外行政審查過程的）？那么請問像這種情況應該如何掌握提出申請的時間呢？ 
網友提問： I guess the reasons for only 3-month validity for my visa might be: (1) I will be 60 years old in this September. The visa officer knows that men get retired at 60, so he thought my personal situation changes significantly. (2) I am a professional in scientific field (additional administrative processing was required in my application this time). Are my guesses correct? When should people like me submit our applications? 
 
美國簽證官： We do not change visa validity based on someone's age. If your application required special processing (if so, you had to wait for a few weeks to receive your visa and your visa is annotated with a Clearance Received date) then we are required by law issue you a three month, single entry visa. This is a world-wide requirement.
我們不會基于一個人的年齡而改變簽證有效期。如果您的申請需要做特殊審理（如果是這樣，您得等上幾周才能得到簽證，并且您的簽證上會有“clearance received ”的字樣及日期），那么我們根據法律頒發給您三個月單次入境的簽證。這是全球性的規定。
 
07-15-2008 04:04:47
Kelvin2:
我由于多年在美國公司任職，有過幾次赴美記錄（我太太也有一個簽證，但是由于2001年 9 月的那次令人不愉快的事件，我們取消了旅游的計劃，所以她沒有入境記錄）。我和我太太多次赴歐洲旅行，最近正在計劃赴美度假旅游，我們希望的是自助旅行，自己租車，網上訂酒店，而不希望跟旅行團。想請問，我們是否能夠申請旅游簽證。
網友提問： Name: Kelvin2 
Timestamp: 07-14-2008 02:02:23Question:  I’ve been to the US for several times and my wife also got her visa in 2001 but for the reason of terror attack in September, we canceled that trip. We traveled to Europe for many times and this time we are planning a trip to the US. However, we do not like to join a tour but to rent a car, book hotel rooms online by ourselves. My question is how can we apply tourist visas? What document do we have to provide? Thanks
Kelvin Lu
 
美國簽證官： Applicants are welcome to apply for a tourist visa on their own, however, you should be able to demonstrate that you will be able to arrange and pay for your trip without the help of a tour agency. The requirements for the visa are the same, including the items we suggest you bring to the interview. There are no required documents besides your visa application. We  always suggest you bring all your old passports. Photos of your previous travels could also be useful. Please see the section of our website about tourist visas for further information.
我們歡迎申請人自己申請旅游簽證。但是您應該能夠證明您可以不需要旅行社的幫助而自己安排并且支付您的旅行。簽證的要求是相同的，包括我們建議您在面談時候帶的資料也是相同的。除了您的申請以外沒有具體必需要的文件。我們一直建議您帶上您的舊護照。以前旅行中的照片也可能會有用。請查看使館網頁中有關旅游簽證的進一步信息。
 
07-15-2008 04:07:29
Big Lu: 簽證官您好。
我想問一下關于 B2 簽證的申請問題。我岳父前不久突然去世了，給整個家庭帶來了很大的沖擊。岳母身體不太好，又逢此重大變故，所以整個人狀態一直不好。我岳父的親姐姐早年移民美國，現在是美國公民，這次也專程趕回來協助辦理后事，并提出想請我岳母去美國小住一段。我岳母戶口在新疆，持有的是公安部出入境管理局簽發的護照。 我想問問看，在有我岳父親姐姐的邀請的情況下提出申請，除了網上說的那 9條相關材料以外，有沒有什么需要特別注意的？簽證官會不會認為幾個月（少于六個月）的停留時間太長了？面簽日期到實際赴美日期之間有沒有限制，比方我九月面簽，但是申請的是明年 5 月份赴美，是否可行？ 還有，戶籍在新疆的人面簽 B2 是不是一定要到北京？ 謝謝您的關注，期待您的回復！
網友提問： Hello visa officer: I have a question regarding B2 visas. My father-in-law suddenly passed away not long ago. His death affects the family a lot. My mother-in-law's
health situation is not good and it's getting worse because of this tragedy. My father-in-law's sister immigrated to the US long time ago and became an American citizen. She made a special trip to deal with the funeral affairs this time and invited my mother-in-law to spend some time in the US. My mother-in-law's household registration is in Xin Jiang and she is holding a Chinese passport issued by the PSB. My questions are: What extra documentations should my mother-in-law to provide at the time of the visa application if she is invited to the US by her sister-in-law other than the 9 items stated on your website? Will the visa officer think it is to long for her to stay there for at least six months? Do you have any requirements for the date of entrance to the US, say, I plan to enter to the US in the May of next year, can I apply in this September? My last question is: Do applicants whose household registration is in Xin Jiang have to apply in Beijing? Thank you for your time and looking forward to your reply. 
 
美國簽證官： The visa officer will probably want to know the status of your mother-in-law's sisterin-law. For example, your mother-in-law should bring copies of the first visa her sister-in-law ever used to travel to the U.S., a copy of the last visa she had, her green card, naturalization certificate or passport, etc. She could also bring a copy of her sister-in-laws more recent tax returns. Also, your mother-in-law must show that she herself is qualified for a visa. She needs to show the visa officer she would have no reason to want to stay in the United States. You can apply for a visa as far in advance as you like, just keep in mind that visa will not be valid for more than one year. A person should apply for a visa where ever they usually live and work.
簽證官也許想知道您岳（父）母的姐姐的身份。比如：您岳母應該帶上她姐姐第一次去美國時用的簽證的復印件，她使用的最后一次簽證的復印件，她的綠卡，歸化證或護照等等。她也可帶來她姐姐最近的稅單。還有，您岳母必須證明她自己符合簽證的條件。她需要展示給簽證官她沒有理由想要留在美國。您想提前多久申請簽證都行，只是要記住簽證有效期不會超過一年。人們應該在他們通常生活和工作的領區申請簽證。
 
07-15-2008 04:08:24
mei2:
尊敬的領事官員，您好！我申請 J1 簽證，已預訂 7 月 29號在北京大使館簽證，我想請問：1.我自己的出生證、結婚證、親屬關系（比如父母、姐姐）、我兒子的出生證等文件需要辦理公證嗎？原件都有。現在辦理公證可能來不及了，這會影響我的簽證嗎？2.我是到美國大學做博士后研究，由美國大學負擔在美期間費用，請問我還需要提供銀行存款證明嗎？3.我是一名醫生，我在中國有很好很穩定的職業，收入也不錯，我的丈夫、兒子以及父母、姐姐，所有的親人都在中國，我有兩套住房（單位一套，商品房一套），這些材料足以證明我
在中國有很緊密的ties 嗎？Thank you very much for your response!
網友提問： Hello officer: I am apply for my J1 visa. My appointment is on July 29 at the US Consulate in Beijing. My questions are: (1) Do I have to have my birth certificate, my  3 marriage certificate, relative certificates, my son's birth certificate notarized? It is too late for me to have them notarized. Will this affect my application? (2) I will be a postdoctoral researcher in a US University. The university will cover my expenditure. Do I have to provide bank document? (3) I am a doctor. I have a very stable job and good income in China. My husband, my son, my parents and sisters and all my relatives are all in China. I have two apartments. Can these show my strong ties in China? Thank you very much for your response! 
 
美國簽證官： No, you do not need to have these documents notarized. Just bring the originals. If the university will provide your funding, you should have proof of this on your DS-2019 and in your offer letter. It sounds like you have very strong ties to China. You should probably bring your bank book or some other document which shows your savings, but the visa officer probably will not need to see them if your U.S. university is paying for your program.
不， 您不需要公證這些文件。把原件帶來就好。如果這個大學提供您資金，您的 DS2019 表上和錄取信上應該有證明。聽起來您在中國的約束力很強。您或許應該帶上您的存折或其他一些文件展示您的存款，但如果您在美國的大學支付您的項目，簽證官也許就不需要看了。 
 
07-15-2008 04:09:13
watchingcarl: Dear officer,Im a J-1 visting scholar.My original DS2019 was lost and the university in US created a new DS2019 for me.Is it ok for the VISA interview?Thank you very much
網友提問： You need to bring an original DS-2019 to the interview. It does not matter if it is the second one you received because the first one was lost.
 
07-15-2008 04:09:41
Forrest2: In question 38 of Form D156 "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?", is a speed ticket in the United States for only one time subject to the a "Yes" answer to this question?
網友提問： No, getting a speeding ticket is not the same as being arrested or convicted of a crime. However, if you were arrested because you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you would need to check “yes” to this question. 
 
07-15-2008 04:16:23
benben2:
您好，尊敬的簽證官，我想問的問題是，我是第一次辦理簽證，是 J1，真的很想一次簽過，以您以往的經驗，我應該提供什么樣的資料，或者我在面試的時候應該注意一些什么情況，才能讓我順利出國呢？謝謝
網友提問： Dear officer: This is my first J1 visa application. I really want to pass the interview. According to your experience, what documents should I proved at the time of my application? What should I pay attention to during the interview so that I can go abroad smoothly? Thank you!
美國簽證官： First, you should read the materials on our website about student and exchange visitor visas. You should bring all the documents related to your studies, including you offer letter, your study plan, your resume, and information about the advisor you will work with in the U.S. You need to be able to explain what you will do in the U.S., where you are going and why, and how this will be beneficial to you in the future. 首先， 您應該閱讀我們網站上有關學生和交流訪問學者簽證的有關內容。您應該帶來所有和您學業有關的文件，包括您的錄取信、學習計劃、簡歷以及將與您在美國一起工作的導師的信息。您應該能夠解釋您將在美國做些什么， 您將去哪里，為什么，還有就是這些將如何利益您的將來。 
 
07-15-2008 04:16:55
mq: Dear Sonia, my niece is 10 years old. Both my husband and I are green card holders living in California US. We are thinking of inviting my niece to come to the state to study in a public elementray school for a semester next year in order for her to learn how an American kid in her age studies, plays and lives. What are the options do we have in terms of visa application? Does one of her parent have to accompany her during her visit? Thanks 
網友提問： It is no longer possible to receive a regular F1 student visa for a child to study in a public elementary school. Your niece could apply for a private elementary school. To be approved for visas later in her life, she would have to be able to show that she did not attend a public elementary school on an F1 student visa. 
 
07-15-2008 04:17:32
MS S: Hello, would you please tell me: How my 83- year-old mother, who is China's citizen, and she wants to have a visa for visiting the US without of her travel to the US embassy at Beijing, China? Thank you.
網友提問： People who are 80 years-old or older do not need to come to the Embassy to apply for a visa. If your mother lives in the Beijing Consular District, you can find information about applying for a visa for her through the CITIC Bank Drop-off Service on our website at http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/drop-off_for_minor__aged.html. If applying at a different Consulate, please look directly at their website for specific information.
 
07-15-2008 04:18:01
MS S: Hi, this is me again. My sister went to her local 中信 bank, but the manager told her that my mom must go to US embassy of Beijing, for a finger printing. Is there any possible that can make her easier(Not go to long distance)? Thanks again.
網友提問： Anyone over 80 should not need to come to the Embassy. Finger prints are not required for those 80 and older. You should ask to speak to the manager at the bank, or go to another CITIC bank. You can also send a fax to 6532-3178 about this case and tell us what bank branch you went to. 
 
07-15-2008 04:18:55
Lizzy2: Good morning, I have a question about administrative check. Normally, how long does it take and where can applicants check the status of the visa? 
網友提問： Until this summer, most applications required about 3-4 weeks for the administrative processing. However, because this summer has been particularly busy all over the world, administrative processing is currently taking about six weeks, sometimes longer. We regret that the process is currently taking so long. If you applied in Beijing, you can fax 6532-3178 to ask about the status of your application, but please wait at least six weeks before inquiring. 
 
07-15-2008 04:19:22
Lizzy2: Is it the situation different from person to person who need administrative check?
網友提問： Every case takes a different amount of time to process. The current average processing times are 6-8 weeks. Students’ applications receive priority and every effort is made to issue the student visa before the start of the student’s program. 
 
07-15-2008 04:28:15
網友提問： Name: 八月桂花香 
Timestamp: 07-15-2008 03:49:48Question:  您好，我想問一下我打算赴美探親，預約時間是 7 月 21 日我是不是只要填寫 DS-156 和DS-157 就可以了，這些表格是不是只要一份就可以？還有我的資金證明怎么開？（現在的工資都是用卡不用存折了）定期存單算不算資金證明？還需不需要我老公的收入證明呢？謝謝
I plan to visit my relatives in the US. My appointment is on July 21. Do I only need to fill out one ds156 and one ds157 form? How can I get my bank certificate? (Nowadays, our salary only shows on debit card, not bank book any more). Can I bring my fixed deposit? Do you need my husband's income certificate? Thanks~ 
 
美國簽證官： Yes, you only need to fill out one DS156 and DS157. There are not requirements for income or bank documents. Just bring what you have that shows that you can pay for your trip to the U.S. and that you do not plan to stay in the U.S. illegally and/or work in the U.S. 
是的， 你只需要填寫一份 DS156  5 和 DS157 表。沒有帶銀行證明和收入證明的要求。只帶來您有的能證明您能支付此次赴美旅行并且您不打算非法在美國滯留/工作的文件。
 
07-15-2008 04:30:18
leehenry: Dear Sonia Urbom, I want to know if my arrive date to U.S. is different in the invite letter(Aug. 1) than in DS-2019 form(Sep. 1), will be accepted by the visa officer or not? The reason is that my ds-2019 has not sent to me yet, so I afraid I can't obtain a visa on Aug.1 and ask the university to change the schedule in DS-2019. thank you lee 
網友提問： You need to have an original DS2019 in order to apply for a visa. You need to start your program before your DS-2019 expired. You cannot enter the US more than 30 days before the start of your program. You can apply for a visa as much as 120 days before your program starts. I hope this answers your question. 
 
07-15-2008 04:34:31
davis: Dear officer, Sorry that my story is a little bit complicate. I went to visit my daughter in US in 2006. After 6 months stay I went back to China. 3 months later I went to US again using the same visa and got 3 months stay on my I-94 at the entrance. In order to be able to travel back to China together with my daughter's family I applied for extension of stay for another 4 months and it was approved. However, the family were attacked by a flu causing all of us suffer from fever and cough before the travelling date and one (no me) even developed pneumonia. We had to call the air line to postphone our flying date. For me, that means I left US a few days after the new/extended I-94's expiration date (although the original ticket date was before the I-94 expiration date). What I wanted to know is a.) how would this affect my future visa application? Some suggested that I will have to wait for at least 3 years to apply again. Some suggested that I will be rejected no matter how long I wait. What is your opinion? b.)I do not have a plan to visit my daughter again in the near future, but I would like to know what supporting document I should keep I do in order for my future applications go smoothly. I did not visit the doctor when I was sick, but the one family member who travelled with us did visit doctor/ER for the pneumonia diagnose. Should I require and keep a copy of that diagnosment? Thanks and have a great day! Thanks
網友提問： If you left the U.S. only a few days after your extension expired, you do not need to wait three years to reapply for a visa. I would suggest keeping a copy of the original itinerary to show that you intended to leave the U.S. on time and you could also keep a record of the doctor’s diagnose although you may not be asked to show any of this. If you do not reapply for a visa to the U.S. too soon, I don’t think you will have any problems. As always, you need to show that you do not plan to immigrate to the U.S, or stay there illegally. Be sure to bring copies of all your extensions and your past passports when you apply again and be ready to explain why your stay in the U.S. will only be temporary. 
 
07-15-2008 04:36:19
happy2: About J1 2year rule. I’m an MBA student in China and attended exchange student program (from Aug-Dec, 2007, self financed fully) coordinated with U.S University last year. I came back from U.S this January. My visa is J1. Now, I’m planning to join fulltime master program in U.S next year to expand my advanced study. My question is, am I subject to 2-year rule to change to F1 statues? Or do I need to submit J1 waiver application to our embassy in U.S? Thanks you. 
網友提問： The two-year rule does not apply for people apply for another J or F visa. It only applies to work visas or immigrant visas so you should not have any problems applying for your F1 as long as you can show you are a legitimate student who has enough money to pay for your program.
 
07-15-2008 04:39:58
leehenry: Good afternoon Sonia. I am thinking of visiting the US for sightseeing late this year. I have two questions. (1) Do I have to purchase the pre-paid PIN card in order to make the appointment for the interview? Can I make the call from my home phone or cellphone and be charged directly to my homephone or cellphone? (2)I learned from the website of US Embassy that the Hukou registration in China might be helpful to show my ties in China. My situation is that I was registered on my uncle's household book 9 years ago in stead of my own family's  6 book. Which Hukou registration book should I show at the interview, the one on which I am , my family's, or both? 
網友提問： You can only make the appointment by purchasing the prepaid phone card. You will probably not be asked to provide your Hukou unless you are trying to show your relationship to a relative that somehow helps you qualify for a visa. 
 
07-15-2008 04:45:35
Hera: Hello, I am applying the B2 visa to the U.S. One thing I felt confused, when I tried to fill the form DS-157. Q14: "Do you have any specialized skills or training, including Friearms, Explosives, Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical Experience?" The thing is my major of my bachelor degree is Biochemistry. So I did learn the courses and did the related lab experiences in the university regarding Biochemistry, Biology, Physical Chemistry, Food Chemistry, etc. But I believe what I learned are all the basic, and I haven't done any more related works or jobs in my major after my graduated. Will I be considered like a terrorist by knowing these knowledge? Should I check "yes" in this question? or just check "no"? Could you please kindly guide me on this question? Thanks! Hera
網友提問： Anything you learned in your bachelor's degree should not be enough to give you 'specialized skills or training' in these areas. You can probably mark "no" to this question, but only you can decide what is the correct answer.
 
07-15-2008 04:46:38
xevian: dear officer, I am undergrad student. I was employed as a part time student by the school's library for a few weeks and I did pay income tax. I would like to know do I need to fill this employment information in under work experience when I fill in the form? Thank you!
網友提問： No, it is not required to full that kind of employment in. But, you are welcome to include it if you think it would be helpful for some reason.
 
07-15-2008 04:47:45
xevian: Dear Madam: I have held B1/B2 visa. And I have visited USA for 6 months. Because I want to enrich my academic theory, I applied F1 visa when I stayed USA. My agent told me the process duration of F1 visa is 3 months. I can stay in USA lawful during this time even if the date out of the I -94 expiration. I was worried about I was an illegal visitor at the end of the third month. Thus, I decided to retune China. （But the date of my retune is after the I-94 expiration for half a month.） After I came back, I got a bad news for failing approval. You said I can apply another visa with my adjustment of status information to the interview. I want to know when I can apply. Need it after a period? Thank you for your time and consideration! Victoria
網友提問： If you were only in the U.S. for half a month after your I94 expired, you can reapply any time.
 
07-15-2008 04:49:40
xevian: Hi Sonia. This question is about tourist visa. Do I have to show the hotel reservation at the interview and make specific travel arrangements? I certainly don't want to pay for it before receiving the US visa. If I put one of the hotels I will probably stay but I may stay in another hotel of the same city depending on the circumstances in the Question 24 of DS-156, will that be regarded as a lie? Thanks.
網友提問： You should not pay for any hotels or purchase any plane tickets before applying for a visa. This information is not required at the interview. If you change your mind about your hotel later, that will not be considered a lie. You will need to fill in the address where you will be staying when you actually enter the U.S. At that time you can supply the correct information.
 
07-15-2008 04:52:44
Lee2: Dear Mam, I'm preparing for B-visa with the interview in Sep. And the date of leaving China for US within the application is 14th Oct. Therefore, could you pls tell me if there would be enough time to get the final visa or maybe should I apply for urgent process and how? 
網友提問： I cannot answer this question. Only the officer who interviews you can determine if your case will need any special processing. If your case does need special  7 processing, it will probably take about 6-8 weeks. If you have an urgent reason for needing to be in the U.S. at a specific time (like attending a conference or doing some important business) you can request an expedited appointment. If you are applying in Beijing, please look at http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/niv_expedite.html
 
07-15-2008 04:56:55
PATAPON: Dear officer, I am the first leehenry. I just read your answer but still unsure what to do. When you said an original DS2019, if it is mean that I should require the university sent me a DS2019 schedule start from Aug.1 though it's already July 15 now? Or I can require them sent me a DS2019 schedule start from Sep.1 as an original DS2019 though the schedure is diffrent from my invite letter? thank you.
網友提問： By "original" I just mean that you cannot submit a photocopy. You must submit the original DS-2019 that your school official signed. The start date on the DS-2019 is
not that important. I am afraid that I do not understand your question very well. Someone at the school or university where you are applying should be able to help you.
 
07-15-2008 04:58:50
網友提問： Thank you all for joining us for today's webchat. I appreciated your questions, and was sorry that I could not answer all of them. Please join us for our next webchat on August 5!
感謝大家參與今天的網談。非常感謝您提出問題，并對我無法回答所有問題感到抱歉。歡迎大家參加我們下次 8 月 5 日的網談。