Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) Frequently Asked Questions

EVUS is the online system used by nationals of China holding a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 (visitor) visa periodically to update basic biographic information to facilitate their travel to the United States.  In addition to a valid visa, such travelers will be required to complete an EVUS enrollment to be admitted into the United States. 

On November 29, 2016, all individuals carrying maximum validity (10-year) B1/B2, B1, and B2 visas in passports issued by the People’s Republic of China must have a valid EVUS enrollment in order to travel to the United States.  Travelers who are subject to EVUS requirements but do not have valid enrollments will not be able to obtain a boarding pass or enter through a land port of entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will not collect a fee for an EVUS enrollment when the website opens for early enrollments. CBP anticipates an EVUS enrollment fee will eventually be implemented, but there is currently no time frame for when the fee will be imposed. Until the fee is implemented, travelers can complete their EVUS enrollment without charge. 

Travelers will need their People’s Republic of China passport containing a maximum validity (10-year) B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa and access to the internet.

Each EVUS enrollment will require the traveler to provide his or her name, birth date, emergency contact, passport information, biographical and employment information.  Travelers will also answer questions related to travel eligibility. However, a friend, relative, travel industry professional, or another third party may submit an EVUS enrollment on a traveler’s behalf.  The traveler is responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of all information submitted on his or her behalf.

Travelers can submit an EVUS enrollment at any time, including at the airport, and will typically receive a response from the system within minutes after submitting their information.  However, some responses may take up to 72 hours, which could cause delays to your travel plans if you forget to enroll before arriving at the airport or a port of entry.  Don’t delay – enroll today!

Starting on November 29, 2016, yes. The Governments of the United States and China entered into an arrangement on a reciprocal basis, to issue visitor visas with 10-year validity. The arrangement recognized that travelers would be required to periodically complete an online form updating their biographical information. Completing this form will help facilitate the admission of Chinese travelers into the United States.

This requirement is new. The U.S. Government expects that this requirement may be applied to additional countries in the future.

Both. Applicants who are holding valid 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visas issued before November 29, 2016 will have to enroll in EVUS to use their visas any time after the launch of the program. Applicants who receive 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visas from November 29, 2016 onwards will have to enroll before their initial trip to the United States. Enrollment for all applicants will remain valid for two years or until the traveler’s visa or passport expire, whichever comes first. The visa holders will then have to update their information before traveling to the U.S. again.

No, your visa remains valid. However, you will be unable to travel to the United States after November 29, 2016 unless you have also enrolled in EVUS.  Enrollment in EVUS is separate from the visa application process.

B category visas are visas for general business and tourist travel to the United States.  Your Visa Class, or category, appears in the upper right-hand portion of your visa.

The most up to date information will be found on the EVUS webpage. Please monitor this website for the most current information.

All nationals of The People’s Republic of China holding valid 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visas who travel to the United States on a passport issued by the People’s Republic of China must comply with EVUS requirements beginning on November 29, 2016.

Yes, the EVUS platform is mobile friendly.

CBP will not collect a fee for an EVUS enrollment when the website opens for early enrollments. CBP anticipates an EVUS enrollment fee will eventually be implemented, but there is currently no time frame for when the fee will be imposed. Until the fee is implemented, travelers can complete their EVUS enrollment without charge.  

Yes. A friend, relative, travel industry professional, or another third party may submit the required information to EVUS on your behalf.  You are responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of all information submitted on your behalf.

A friend, relative, travel industry professional, or another third party may submit the required information to EVUS on your behalf.  Additional information is also available on CBP’s informational EVUS website. If an applicant has questions about how to fill out the application or issues with the EVUS site, they can contact the EVUS Call Center at 00-1-202-325-0180. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, but is closed on U.S. federal holidays. The Call Center is staffed with Mandarin speakers. You may also contact the Call Center by email at evus@cbp.dhs.gov.  The Call Center is available to answer questions travelers might have regarding EVUS, but all EVUS enrollments must be submitted online by the traveler or a third party. U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not able to provide details about EVUS enrollments or resolve the issue that caused an unsuccessful enrollment. 

The vast majority of EVUS enrollments will be processed within minutes; however, it may take up to 72 hours. CBP recommends enrolling in EVUS well in advance of your planned travel.

An unsuccessful enrollment may be due to an administrative error, such as failure to provide complete information on the EVUS form.  For assistance, please see the CBP informational website or call the EVUS Call Center at 00-1-202-325-0180. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, but is closed on U.S. federal holidays. The Call Center is staffed with Mandarin speakers. You may also contact the Call Center by email. The Call Center is available to answer questions travelers might have regarding EVUS, but all EVUS enrollments must be submitted online by the traveler or a third party.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not able to provide details about EVUS enrollments or resolve the issue that caused an unsuccessful enrollment.

An unsuccessful enrollment may result from a system generated or an inputting error by the enrollee such as failure to provide complete or accurate information. A traveler who receives an “Unsuccessful Enrollment” message should contact the EVUS Call Center at 00-1-202-325-0180 or via email at evus@cbp.dhs.gov before attempting to re-enroll. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, but is closed on U.S. federal holidays. The Call Center is staffed with Mandarin speaking operators and is available to answer questions travelers might have regarding EVUS. All EVUS enrollments must be submitted online by the traveler or a third party.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not able to provide details about EVUS enrollments or resolve the issue that caused an unsuccessful enrollment.

Expedited enrollments are not possible.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not able to facilitate EVUS enrollments, provide details about EVUS enrollments, or resolve unsuccessful enrollments. 

No. We anticipate that the vast majority of EVUS enrollments will be processed and approved within minutes. EVUS is designed to update a traveler’s biographic and admissibility information on a periodic basis (every two years, or after obtaining a new passport and/or maximum validity (10-year) U.S. visa).

Travelers will be able to read the questions on the EVUS form in Mandarin Chinese.  If a traveler is unable to provide answers to the questions in English, they may wish to seek assistance from third parties, such as a trusted friend, family member or travel agent, to complete the form in English on the traveler’s behalf.  Third parties will also be able to review completed applications or approved applications. The traveler is responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of all information submitted on his or her behalf.

Any update a traveler makes to his/her EVUS enrollment, including to correct an error, is a new enrollment.

Airlines receive EVUS enrollment information through their internal networks.  On November 29, 2016, airlines may not provide a boarding pass to a traveler who has a maximum validity (10-year) B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa in a People’s Republic of China-issued passport who does not have a valid EVUS enrollment recorded in their system.

The Call Center provides assistance at no charge, other than any fees or charges your phone provider may require in order for you to contact the EVUS Call Center number.  The EVUS Call Center number is based in Washington, DC, USA. The EVUS Call Center also provides assistance by email at evus@cbp.dhs.gov.

Anyone from these regions traveling on a Peoples Republic of China passport with a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa will be required to enroll in EVUS.  Travelers using other travel documents, including Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan passports may continue to travel to the U.S. as they currently do.

Anyone traveling on a Peoples Republic of China passport with a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa will be required to enroll in EVUS, regardless of current residence. 

Each EVUS enrollment must contain the visa holder’s name, birth date, and passport information as well as other biographical and employment information. 

Yes, the website will be available in both English and Mandarin Chinese. However, all 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa holders must answer the EVUS questions in English.

An information update is referred to as an enrollment.  Enrollments generally last for two years or when the traveler’s visa or passport expires, whichever comes first. Chinese holders of 10-year  B1/B2, B1 or B2 visas will need to update their information before they intend to travel to the United States (if a two-year enrollment has expired), or when they get a new passport.

Yes. The website is operated by the U.S. government and employs technology to prevent unauthorized access to the information entered and viewed.  Information submitted by travelers through the EVUS website is subject to the same strict controls that have been established for similar traveler screening programs as governed by U.S. laws and regulations.   

No. EVUS will not require the traveler to submit a photograph or fingerprints. This update will require the traveler to answer a series of questions about himself/herself, and his/her job, background and travel history/destination. 

Most of the information required is already part of the DS-160 visa application, though there are some differences, and questions may be worded slightly differently than the visa application.

Yes. Third parties will be able to check the EVUS status for individual travelers and for an entire group of travelers.  Third parties will also be able to review completed applications, update unpaid or approved applications, submit payment for applicants, and view payment receipts. The traveler is responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of all information submitted on his or her behalf.  

Travelers who carry a valid 10-year  B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa in a People’s Republic of China passport, but who have not complied with EVUS requirements may be delayed in their travel plans. 

The minimum computer configuration includes:

• An internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption.
• All major browsers are supported. Please verify the release of the browser is the most up to date, is able to accept cookies, and has JavaScript enabled.

There are a number of things that could be causing you problems. Please ensure that your computer meets the minimum configuration requirements.

The minimum computer configuration requirement for enrolling for EVUS is an internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption and is able to accept cookies, and has JavaScript enabled.

If your computer meets the minimum configuration requirements and you are still having technical problems, then this could be a web browser or fire wall problem. Check your internet security settings - if they are set too high, they may be blocking access to the EVUS web site. If that doesn't work try enrolling from another browser/computer. Finally, some ISPs may be blocked due to spam concerns, and you may have to contact your local internet service provider (ISP) for assistance.

If the system will not let you go to the next page, the system may have found an error in a required field (such as an invalid Character, skipped a field, etc.) You will not be allowed to continue until these errors have been corrected. If a mandatory field (indicated by a red *) is not filled in properly, the system will continually return you to the current page.

If your computer freezes up and will not let you continue, the problem is most likely with your browser or your computer capacity. You may need to use a different computer.

If you are still having technical problems, please click on EVUS Call Center link at the bottom of the page and submit a help request. You are required to have an email address for us to respond to. If you do not, ask someone who does to help you. Be sure to describe exactly what is happening (in English), and tell us what internet browser you are using and its version.

Yes.  CBP sent e-mails to all holders of 10-year, B1/B2, B1 and B2 visas in July 2016, using the e-mail addresses that visa holders listed on their DS-160 visa applications. In addition, many (but not all) visa-holders subject to the EVUS requirement have an annotation printed on their visa.  Even if you do not have an annotation printed on your visa, if you have a 10-year B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa in a People’s Republic of China passport you must enroll in EVUS in order to travel to the United States beginning on November 29, 2016.

No. All travelers, regardless of age, possessing a 10-year B1/B2, B1, or B2 visa in a People’s Republic of China passport require a valid EVUS enrollment to travel to the United States.

Yes, current B1/B2, B1 or B2 visas are still valid for travel to the United States. Travelers do not need to complete an online EVUS form before November 29, 2016. EVUS registration is a separate process than applying for a visa. 

For assistance, please call the EVUS Call Center at 00-1-202-325-0180. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, except for U.S. holidays, to answer questions regarding EVUS enrollments. The Call Center is staffed with Mandarin speaking operators.  You may also contact the Call Center by email at evus@cbp.dhs.gov. The Call Center is available to answer questions travelers might have regarding EVUS, but all EVUS enrollments must be submitted online by the traveler or a third party. 

Yes. Starting on November 29, 2016, U.S. immigration regulations will require that all People’s Republic of China passport holders carrying 10-year B1/B2, B1, or B2 visas must have a valid EVUS enrollment before traveling to the United States. It does not matter when your visa was issued. Once the system is able to accept enrollments, you will be able to enroll at any time prior to your departure. 

Once the system is available, any traveler who plans to travel to the United States after November 29, 2016 must have a valid EVUS enrollment before traveling, including before arriving at the airport. Travelers should not wait until the last minute to enroll. An enrollment is valid for two years from the date of approval or until the traveler obtains a new passport, whichever comes first. This means that travelers may repeatedly travel to the United States within those two years without having to enroll again. Beginning on November 29, 2016, travelers are encouraged to check the status of their application or enrollment on the EVUS website prior to departing for the airport.

EVUS only applies to People’s Republic of China passport holders carrying 10-year B1/B2, B1, or B2 visas. If you hold a People’s Republic of China passport, but your visa is valid for only one year, you do not have to enroll in EVUS.

All visitors to the United States, regardless of whether they have a visa, an EVUS, or some other travel authorization, must demonstrate their admissibility to the United States to a CBP officer upon arrival at a port of entry. Neither a visa nor EVUS enrollment guarantees admission into the United States. These rules have not changed.

Yes, an EVUS enrollment is tied to the individual visa.  This means that you must separately enroll in EVUS for each 10-year visa in each of your People’s Republic of China passports.

In November 2014, the Governments of the United States and China entered into an arrangement on a reciprocal basis to issue 10-year visitor and business travel visas (B1/B2, B1, and B2). That same arrangement recognized that travelers would be required periodically to complete an online form updating the information they used to apply for the visa. EVUS was developed to allow travelers to provide the most current information – including name, passport number, address, and employment – to immigration officials before traveling to the United States. 

If you have a new passport, you will need to enroll in EVUS before your next trip to the United States. We recommend you enroll at least one week before you are scheduled to leave for the United States.

Yes. You will be able to review your information to make sure it is still accurate, and should follow instructions in the EVUS system to make sure you have a current EVUS enrollment. If your information remain accurate, your EVUS enrollment is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

No. We encourage you to keep your information up-to-date to facilitate your entry into the United States.

All People’s Republic of China Passport holders carrying 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visas are required to have an EVUS enrollment to enter the United States by air, land, sea beginning on November 29.  If you are already in the United States on November 29, you will not need to enroll in EVUS to depart the United States.  However, you must enroll before your next trip to the United States.

If you do not have a U.S. point of contact, you may complete this question by answering “unknown.” If you have travel plans, but do not have a direct U.S. point of contact, you may enter the name of your hotel or U.S. tour group point of contact in the “Name” field.  Individuals with a valid EVUS enrollment can update their EVUS form with a U.S. point of contact, current job or address information, without having to submit a new enrollment. However, travelers with new passports, visas, or those re-applying for EVUS will need to complete a new enrollment.

Travelers holding a People’s Republic of China passport require a valid U.S. visa to enter Guam. People’s Republic of China passport holders carrying maximum validity (10-year) B1/B2, B1, and B2 visas must enroll in EVUS in order to travel to Guam or any U.S. destination.

Travelers whose valid visas are in expired passports can enter their valid visa information as well as their new passport information to complete an EVUS enrollment. You do not have to obtain a new visa if you are entering new passport information.

No.  If you receive an “unsuccessful enrollment” response, do not attempt to enroll again for at least 24 hours. Instead, please review information on CBP.gov/evus or contact the EVUS Call Center at 00-1-202-325-0180 or via email evus@cbp.dhs.gov .

No. The United States requires visitors to have a passport with at least six-months remaining validity for entry into the country. As such, an EVUS enrollment will expire six months before the expiration of a traveler’s passport, as that passport would no longer be valid for travel to the United States.

No. Travelers who have completed an EVUS enrollment will not receive a confirmation email or text. Travelers can confirm their enrollment by clicking on the “Check Existing Enrollment” button on the www.evus.gov home page. You are not required to present a printout of your EVUS enrollment in order to travel. Your enrollment will be verified electronically.