WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented today a requirement for all individuals with a passport issued by the People’s Republic of China and bearing a maximum validity (10-year), B1 (visitor for business), B2 (visitor for pleasure), or combination B1/B2 visa to have a valid Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) enrollment before traveling to the United States.
EVUS is the online system used by nationals of the People’s Republic of China holding these visas to update basic biographic information to facilitate their travel to the United States. EVUS enrollments are generally valid for two years or until the traveler obtains a new passport or visa, whichever comes first.
As of November 29, nationals of the People’s Republic of China holding such 10-year visas will not be able to travel to the United States without a valid EVUS enrollment. For travelers taking more than one flight to reach the United States, the EVUS enrollment will be verified when they check-in for their first flight. Nationals of the People’s Republic of China who hold such 10-year visas and are seeking to enter the U.S. through a land or sea port of entry must also have a valid EVUS enrollment.
If Chinese travelers subject to EVUS enrollment do not update their information at least every two years, or upon obtaining a new passport or visa after November 29, 2016, they will not be able to use their 10-year visas for travel to the United States.
“The EVUS site has been designed to make the process fast, easy and mobile phone-friendly for the more than 3.9 million nationals of the People’s Republic of China holding 10-year visas,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “With the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and our stakeholders, CBP has worked to ensure this new requirement is simple to fulfill and will not slow down the travel process for compliant travelers.”
Travelers can submit an EVUS enrollment at any time at www.EVUS.gov and will typically receive a response from the online system within minutes after submitting their information; however, some responses may take up to 72 hours. CBP encourages travelers to enroll in EVUS when they begin planning their trip to the United States to avoid uncertainties as CBP cannot guarantee a maximum processing time.
In order to successfully load the EVUS website, those completing an EVUS enrollment should make sure that the latest version of their internet browser is installed on their computer or mobile device (phone or tablet). The internet browser must support 128-bit encryption, be able to accept cookies, and be JavaScript enabled.
CBP will not collect a fee for an EVUS enrollment at this time, but anticipates that an EVUS enrollment fee will be implemented in the future. Until the fee is implemented, travelers can complete their EVUS enrollment without charge.
CBP operates an EVUS call center with Mandarin-speaking operators that travelers can call or email if they have questions about their enrollment. Travelers can contact the call center at 1-202-325-0180 or via email at evus@cbp.dhs.gov. The call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but will be closed on U.S. federal holidays. Although the Call Center is available to answer questions travelers might have regarding EVUS, all EVUS enrollments must be submitted online.
To enroll in EVUS, visit www.EVUS.gov. For the latest EVUS information, visit www.CBP.gov/EVUS.
