On October 20, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule requiring travelers holding People’s Republic of China (PRC) passports with B-1, B-2, or 10-year B-1/B-2 visas to enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before being admitted into the United States. The rule will go into effect on November 29, 2016, and will apply to both current visa holders and new applicants.
The EVUS requirement for China arose from a reciprocal agreement between the United States and China whereby the governments agreed to issue 10-year visitor and business travel visas and require periodic online updates to travelers’ visa information.
At this time, travelers using other travel documents, such as Taiwan passports or passports issued by Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR, are not subject to the new EVUS requirement and may continue to travel to the United States without enrollment.
China (PRC) passport holders impacted by this rule should enroll with EVUS before any travel to the United States after the effective date of November 29, 2016.
