Effective May 1, 2007, applicants under 14 or over 80 years of age who would normally apply in Beijing can courier their nonimmigrant visa applications to the visa unit through China CITIC Bank, without the need to apply in person. 

Children under 14 are not required to come to the U.S. Embassy to apply for a nonimmigrant visa.  If at least one parent holds a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa, a child may apply through the courier service.  If a parent or parents are applying for a visa at the same time as a child under 14, the parent(s) may bring in the childs application at the time of their interview and apply on the childs behalf.

Applicants who are 80 years old or older, and have not been previously found ineligible for U.S. visas, are not required to come to the U.S. Embassy to apply for nonimmigrant visas. 

Such applicants may apply by sending the following documentation to the Embassy through CITIC Bank two-way courier service:

·Passport: Passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay in the United States;

·Completed Visa Application Forms: DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form (for all applicants) & DS-157 Supplemental Visa Application Form (for applicants over 16 years old);

·One Photograph: Two inches square (50x50 cm) color photo, less than 6 months old, against a white background, with full frontal view. The photo should be glued to the DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form;

·Original Bank Receipt for Visa Application Fee: The 780 RMB application fee may be paid at any CITIC Bank branch in China;

·Children under 14 years old: Please provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate/ or family hukou registration book, as well as a copy of the parent’s passport and a copy of the parent’s valid nonimmigrant visa.

At most locations, CITIC Bank charges a non-refundable service fee of RMB 200.  For more information about submitting visa applications at a local branch of CITIC Bank, please inquire at a bank location near you.  Please note the courier service is optional.  Applicants who are qualified to use this service may still apply in person under the regular appointment system. 

Note: The use of courier service does not guarantee visa issuance.  The Embassy may in some cases, after reviewing an application submitted by courier, require a person to appear in person for a visa interview at the Embassy.