The United States and China have agreed to a reciprocal visa
arrangement with both sides offering 12-month multiple-entry
business and tourist visas.
The long-awaited move will greatly facilitate travel between the
two countries, the embassy said in a statement.
US embassies and consulates "will begin issuing to otherwise
qualified Chinese citizens, who wish to visit the United States
temporarily for business or pleasure, visas that are valid for 12
months and multiple entries," the embassy said.
Americans would enjoy the same privileges on visits to China, it
added.
Diplomatic notes on the agreement were exchanged by the two
sides in December. The agreement goes into effect on January
15.
"The embassy believes this mutual extension of visa reciprocity
will be a significant benefit to frequent travelers between China
and the United States," the statement said.
"The longer validity of visas means these frequent travelers
will not have to renew their visas so frequently, saving time and
money and making travel more convenient."
Both sides reserved the right to limit the issuance and validity
of the visas on a case by case basis, it said.
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York
and Washington, the US implemented higher visa requirements which
made it much more difficult for Chinese business people, students
and tourists to travel to the United States.
China reciprocated with increased restrictions on travel by
Americans.
Among the most vocally opposed to the tougher visa requirements
were US businesspeople, who complained of difficulties in getting
their Chinese business partners and associates into the US and
their US-based people into China.
(China Daily January 8, 2005)