All non-immigrant visa appointments for applicants in Mainland China are scheduled by the Visa Information Call Center. They can also provide non-immigrant visa related information and answer questions related to the application process.

Please note that in some cases, it may take one month or more to schedule an appointment due to heavy rush. Therefore, it is best to plan in advance.

1. Eligibility Criteria
   Some applicants must use the drop box if qualified. Other applicants may optionally use the drop box if qualified. All others must schedule an appointment. Determine whether you must the drop box, or you may optionally use the drop box. Please make sure that you need to schedule an appointment before proceeding further.
   
   Also determine whether you need to make group appointment or not.
   
   Drop Box Criteria     Group appointment criteria
   
   
2. Purchase Calling Card
   To make an appointment, you will have to call the Visa Information Call Center. However, they charge money on per minute basis to talk to you. Therefore, you must purchase the calling card first.
   
   
   • Charges
     54 RMB - 12 minutes
     36 RMB - 8 minutes
     
     If you don't use all the minutes, you can reuse them later or transfer to another party, as long as it is within one year from the first activation date.
     
     
   • Purchase Options
     You have three options to purchase the calling card:
     • CITIC pre-paid PIN Card
       You can purchase it from any of the designated CITIC Bank Branches where you can pay the application fee. It is a good idea to just buy it at the same time you pay the application fee.
       
       
     • Online
       You can visit The Visa Information Call Center web site to pay for the service. You must use credit or debit card for the payment.
       
       
     • Bank/Postal Order
       You can make the money order or postal note (filled in Chinese only) payable to 'XinAn Information Services, Ltd.' and send it to
       P.O. Box 122-063
       Shanghai 200122
       China
       
       Make sure to include your ID Card number, as it will be used as the PIN number.
       
       You should allow 10 business days for it to reach them and be entered into the system before calling them.
       
       Please note that personal checks are not accepted.
     
     In either of the above case, you will receive a PIN number.
     
     
3. Gather Information
   Before calling to make an appointment, make sure you have the following information for the applicant handy: full name, passport number, ID number, receipt number from visa application fee receipt, contact information, purpose of travel, place of residence, whether the visa was previously refused. Receipt number is the red number in the top right-hand corner of the receipt.
   
   
4. Call to make an appointment
   
   • Contact Information
     Phone: 40-0887-2333 (from within China) or +86-21-3881-4611 (local Shanghai number)
     
     Please note that the money you paid for buying the calling card is to talk to them. However, if you incur any additional long distance charges, that is your sole responsibility. On the other hand, the good thing is that most calls are answered in less than 30 seconds.
     
     
   • Hours
     Pre-recorded visa information: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
     Live operators: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday.
     
     
   • Services
     You can get the information about all non-immigrant visa types and application procedures. You can ask specific questions about the visa process as well. You can also schedule the appointment for anywhere in Mainland China. Services are offered in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
     
     
   • Correct Category
     You must schedule an appointment in the right category of visa you are applying for. E.g., if you are students and exchange visitors should schedule an F/M/J appointment. Visitors and business visa applicants should schedule a B1/B2 appointment. If you make the appointment for F/M/J category but if you are found to be applying for B1/B2, you will not be allowed to be interviewed. You will have to reschedule your interview in the correct category. If you are a travel agency and help someone schedule appointment in wrong category, you may be prohibited from making appointments in future.
     
     
   • Flexibility
     You can either schedule the appointment within the consular district where you reside or at any other U.S. consulate in China where the average wait time for the past month is shorter. Please note that the wait times vary all the time, some times very frequently, and the only reliable way to find out is to ask the Call Center when you call.
     
     
   Once you get an appointment at he U.S. Embassy or Consulate you chose, write down the appointment day and time.
   
   Inquiries & Support:
   If you have general inquiries about the Visa Information Call Center Service or if you are having problems with your PIN number, you can call their help desk at +86-21-5062-3880, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding Chinese public holidays. This service is provided in Mandarin only and it is not for visa or appointment related questions.
   
   In case technical issues, send an email to technical.support@usavisainformation.com.cn
   
   

If you are an employee of a company that is a member of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), you may qualify for to use the Chamber's Corporate Visa Program to apply for a U.S. visa.

If you are an employee of a company that is a member of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, you should contact their local branch for help with applying for a U.S. visa.