Designated classes of nonimmigrant Visa holders will now be required to enroll in the new Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before traveling to the United States. What is EVUS? EVUS is the new online automated system, set up by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), that helps to determine the eligibility of visitors with a 10-year visa to travel to the United States.
Effective November 29, 2016, citizens and nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) who have been issued a 10-year B-1, B-2 or B1/B2 (tourist/business) Visa will also be required to apply for EVUS approval before traveling to the United States. This is a new regulation being implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Airlines will be making no exceptions to the November 29 start date, so we advise that all travelers apply for the EVUS well in advance of their planned travel. Failure to have a valid and approved application could lead to denied travel.
According to the CBP, travelers will be able to read the questions on the EVUS form in English or Mandarin Chinese. However, the answers may only be in English. If a traveler is unable to provide answers to the questions in English, they may seek assistance from third parties, such as a trusted friend, family member or travel industry professional. Third parties will also be able to review completed or approved applications. Each EVUS enrollment must contain the Visa holder’s name, birth date, and passport information as well as other biographical and employment information. Once the EVUS application is approved, it’s valid for 2 years or until the traveler’s Visa or Passport expires – whichever comes first.
Who needs to apply for an EVUS?
All citizens and nationals of the PRC who have been issued a 10-year B-1, B-2 or B1/B2 (tourist/business) Visa.
Citizens of Hong Kong, Macau and PRC nationals holding any other type of Visa, including one or five year B1/B2 Visas, do not need to apply and are exempt from the new regulation.
How do you apply for EVUS?
Travelers can find more information or apply at http://www.cbp.gov/EVUS.
Travelers seeking travel industry professional assistance with their EVUS application should email [email protected] – our Visa specialist will help ensure the complete processing of your EVUS.
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