U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today all People’s Republic of China passport holders carrying a 10-year visa will be required to have a valid Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) enrollment when traveling to the United States beginning on November 29. EVUS is the online system used by nationals of the People’s Republic of China holding a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 (visitor) visa to update basic biographic information to facilitate their travel to the United States. The fee to enroll in the system is $8 and enrollments are valid for two years or until the traveler obtains a new passport or visa, whichever comes first.
“EVUS is designed to enhance both national security and the longevity of the joint agreement with China to issue 10-year visas,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “CBP has been working to ensure that the enrollment process will be fast, easy and mobile phone-friendly for the more than 3.9 million nationals of the People’s Republic of China holding 10-year visas.”
Beginning November 29, nationals of the People’s Republic of China holding 10-year visas will not be able to travel to the United States without a valid EVUS enrollment. For travelers taking more than one flight to reach the United States, the EVUS enrollment will be verified when they check-in for their first flight. People’s Republic of China 10-year visa holders seeking to enter the U.S. through a land port of entry must also have a valid EVUS enrollment. Until November 29, travelers may continue to travel to the United States without an enrollment.
CBP will operate an EVUS call center with Mandarin-speaking operators that travelers can call or email if they are experiencing technical difficulties or have questions about their enrollment. The call center will be fully operational before November 29 and will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CBP will announce once the EVUS site is open for public enrollments, anticipated in mid-October. CBP recommends travelers enroll as early as possible or at least 72 hours before they’re scheduled to leave for the United States. All payments for EVUS enrollments must be made by credit card, debit card or through PayPal.
The EVUS process is similar to the process that travelers from 38 other countries must follow before traveling to the United States. If Chinese travelers do not update their information at least every two years, or upon obtaining a new passports after EVUS becomes effective, they will not be able to use their 10-year visas.
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