U.S. Embassy in Beijing Extends the Term of Validity for F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2, and M1/M2 Visas
Posted on Jun 14, 2005
The Embassy of the United States of America in Beijing is pleased to announce that beginning June 20, 2005, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in China, as well as U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, will begin issuing to qualified Chinese citizen applicants student visas (F-1/F-2), exchange visas (J-1/J-2), and vocational training visas (M1/M2) valid for 12 months with multiple entries. The previous maximum validity of U.S. visas for these purposes was six months, two entries. 
On a reciprocal basis, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has similarly agreed beginning June 20 to issue to American citizens visiting China for student, academic exchange and vocational training purposes visas valid for 12 months and for multiple entries. While China and the U.S. will as a general rule issue maximum validity visas to each others?qualified citizens, on a case by case basis each side may limit the period of validity and number of entries as required by their respective laws and regulations. 
The Embassy believes this extension of visa reciprocity for students, following a similar expansion agreement in January 2005 on business and tourist visas, will significantly enhance mutual understanding between China and the United States. The longer validity will mean student travelers will not have to renew their visas so frequently, saving time and money and facilitating holiday visits home and emergency travel. This agreement is a sign of the United States?continuing interest in attracting talented students from China and elsewhere to American campuses. 
We are also pleased to announce that the volume of student applications and visas issued in 2005 has so far shown a marked increase compared to 2004. 
In May 2004, the U.S. Embassy and the four consulates in China issued 1518 F-1 (student) visas and 309 J-1 (exchange visitor) visas. 
In May 2005, the U.S. Embassy and the four consulates in China issued 2314 F-1 (student) visas and 617 J-1 (exchange visitor) visas. 
具体网址： http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/press/release/2005/061405vis.html
中文版：
美大使馆宣布向中国留学生发放1年多次入境签证 中国日报
6月14日，美国大使馆新闻文化处发表声明，宣布从2005年6月20日，美国使领馆将为合格的中国公民签证申请人颁发12个月有效多次入境的学生签证（F-1/F-2)、交流访问学者签证（J-1/J-2）和职业培训签证（M1/M2）。声明如下： 
　　在北京的美国大使馆愉快地在此宣布：自2005年6月20日起，美国驻华大使馆和其它4个总领事馆，以及美国驻世界各地的使领馆将为合格的中国公民签证申请人颁发12个月有效多次入境的学生签证（F-1/F-2)、交流访问学者签证（J-1/J-2）和职业培训签证（M1/M2）。此前这些类别签证的最长有效期为6个月，入境次数为两次。 
　　基于对等原则，中国外交部已同意从6月20日起为赴华学习、学术交流和进行职业培训的美国公民同样颁发12个月有效的多次入境签证。中美双方将原则上为对方合格公民颁发最长有效期的这些类别的签证，但双方可根据各自的法律及规