How are the Visa Validity Dates and the number of Entries determined?
The visa validity dates and the number of entries granted are based on reciprocity with other countries. The United States will issue U.S. visas to Chinese citizens that are valid for the same period of time that China grants Chinese visas to U.S. citizens in the same visa class. The visa class is determined by the nature of travel – students, business people, temporary workers and travelers fall under different visa classes. For example, the F1 student visa validity dates and number of entries given by the U.S. Government to Chinese citizens are equal to those granted by the Chinese Government to American Citizen students planning to study in China. The adjudicating consular officer retains the right to abbreviate the visa validity dates or number of entries if there is reason to do so.
