Chinese and American officials recently signed a memorandum that will allow Chinese tour groups to visit the United States. The policy will go into effect in around 3-4 months, and is predicted to be in full operation around the May 1st holiday in 2008, according to a Chinese news source.
With the signing of this treaty, known as the "Accord Between the Governments of the People's Republic of China and the United State of America Facilitating Chinese Tour Group Travel to America,” the U.S. becomes an official Approved Travel Destination for Chinese Tourists. Major U.S. tourist cities are naturally excited by this development. The mayor of Los Angles claimed that the policy will bring an extra 55,000 Chinese visitors and an extra $440 million in business to the city annually. It is reported that the City of Los Angles has set up a representative office in China with the purpose of attracting Chinese visitors to the city.
The Department of Commerce predicts that around 600,000 Chinese travelers will come to the United States by 2011.
Previously, the U.S. State Department did not issue visas to Chinese tour groups and Chinese regulations prevented companies from organizing and marketing packaged vacation tours to countries that did not have Approved Destination Status agreements. Chinese tourists wishing to visit the United States often had to do so under a visa normally meant for business, study abroad, work, or visiting relatives.
Tour operators in both countries have expressed optimism that the memorandum
will revolutionize their trans-Pacific business in the coming years, but
have been quick to remind Chinese travelers that under the new regulations
they must enter and leave the United States with their tour group. Tour
group travelers are still subject to scrutiny by U.S. visa offices, and
should submit full and detailed information about their work, finances,
family and past travel history to ensure smooth processing of their visa.
Even then, issuance of a US visa is not guaranteed, and is subject to the
discretionary power of the visa officer. However, both Chinese and U.S.
officers agreed that the number of tourist visas for Chinese sightseeing
travelers would be significantly increased.
Chinese sightseeing visitors will be issued B-2 visas and they may be authorized for up to 6 months of stay. However, visitors with a tour group will likely be authorized for a shorter period of time according to the group’s visiting itinerary.
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