AILA/RDC Q&As with NIV Chief in Shanghai (Extract)

The Rome District Chapter (RDC) offers approved Q&As between the RDC and the NIV Chief in Shanghai.

1. Staffing Changes over next 6 months?
Yes, there are currently 11 – 13 visa officers at the US Consulate in Shanghai, and they are processing an average of 1,500 applications daily. The workload has nearly doubled since 2007. It is anticipated that 50 additional visa officers will be added to the consular sections in China in 2012. Although the exact number of visa officers that will be added to the Shanghai post has not yet been determined, the post in Shanghai should receive a significant increase of visa officers in 2012.

2. Scheduling/interview waiting period for NIV appts? Any special considerations for interview scheduling at this post?
Despite the substantial increase of workload in Shanghai and other posts in China, the interview wait time has actually come down remarkably. As of the day this report is written, the wait time for a visitor visa appointment is only three days in Shanghai, with an average of less than seven days in the five posts in China.

3. B visa adjudications for pregnant mothers? B for dependent parents? Domestic Partners? What should be provided above and beyond a standard B visa applicant?
The law does not prohibit pregnant mothers from applying for B visas or to have their babies in the U.S. The post reviews an application from a pregnant mother like other applications, looking for ties to China, financial resources, credibility, etc. If the post is concerned that the applicant may incur substantial medical expenses in the U.S. and leave the U.S. without paying the bills, the applicant would need to demonstrate that they have the financial resources and commitment to pay for their medical expenses in the U.S.

For dependent parents, the post looks for the same basic elements: proof of their ties outside the U.S. and what they intend to do in the U.S. if granted a visa. For applicants visiting relatives in the U.S., officers may naturally inquire as to the immigration status of their relatives to help understand the applicants’ ties and intent.