U.S. State Department to Reduce H and L Visa Interviews in China to Three Locations
February 1, 2019
At a glance
- Starting March 1, 2019, H and L visa interviews in China will only be conducted at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing or the U.S. Consulates in Guangzhou or Shanghai.
- Due to the consolidation of interviews to three locations, from five originally, H and L visa applicants may experience longer wait times at the three consular posts.
The situation
The U.S. State Department has announced that, starting March 1, 2019, its China mission will only conduct H and L visa interviews at three locations – the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou and the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai. H and L visa interviews will no longer take place at the U.S. Consulates in Chengdu or Shenyang. The State Department says it is reducing the number of interviewing posts to three, from five originally, to consolidate the resources and expertise allocated to a large H and L caseload.
What this means
As consular posts in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai absorb H and L cases from Chengdu and Shenyang, applicants may experience longer wait times for visa interviews at the three remaining locations. In addition, applicants accustomed to applying for visas in Chengdu or Shenyang may need to account for increased travel to one of the remaining locations in making visa application travel plans.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key considerations for managing outbound assignments from Germany, including planning, visa requirements and coordinated global support.
Video
Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Blog post
Senior Client Services Manager Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa explores how global talent shortages and workforce mobility are shaping the future of critical minerals and the energy transition.
Video
In FC Podcast episode #15, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster, Senior US Consular Manager Brian Simmons, and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss US entry considerations for the 2026 World Cup, including visa options, policy changes and planning timelines.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Wills explains that treating compliance as a strategic function helps organisations anticipate risk, manage costs and strengthen workforce planning.
Awards
Partner Karolina Schiffter is ranked Band 1 in Immigration in the inaugural Chambers & Partners Poland guide, recognizing her leadership in advancing Fragomen’s Poland practice.
Media mentions
Manager Karnig Dukmajian
Media mentions
Senior Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses planning for French residence and citizenship applications, including fees, translations and language or civic tests.
Video
Senior US Consular Manager Brian Simmons outlines key visa, ESTA and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Manager Simon Magava and Immigration Consultant Inderjit Kaur examine sponsor licence revocations in the UK social care sector and their impact on workforce stability.
Blog post
Director Raj Mann explores how demographic change, artificial intelligence and global trade shifts are reshaping labour markets, workforce strategy and immigration policy in 2026.
Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman explains the key eligibility requirements, documentation considerations and benefits of Costa Rica’s Pensionado residency program for retirees receiving lifetime pension income from abroad.
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key considerations for managing outbound assignments from Germany, including planning, visa requirements and coordinated global support.
Video
Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Blog post
Senior Client Services Manager Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa explores how global talent shortages and workforce mobility are shaping the future of critical minerals and the energy transition.
Video
In FC Podcast episode #15, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster, Senior US Consular Manager Brian Simmons, and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss US entry considerations for the 2026 World Cup, including visa options, policy changes and planning timelines.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Wills explains that treating compliance as a strategic function helps organisations anticipate risk, manage costs and strengthen workforce planning.
Awards
Partner Karolina Schiffter is ranked Band 1 in Immigration in the inaugural Chambers & Partners Poland guide, recognizing her leadership in advancing Fragomen’s Poland practice.
Media mentions
Manager Karnig Dukmajian
Media mentions
Senior Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses planning for French residence and citizenship applications, including fees, translations and language or civic tests.
Video
Senior US Consular Manager Brian Simmons outlines key visa, ESTA and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Manager Simon Magava and Immigration Consultant Inderjit Kaur examine sponsor licence revocations in the UK social care sector and their impact on workforce stability.
Blog post
Director Raj Mann explores how demographic change, artificial intelligence and global trade shifts are reshaping labour markets, workforce strategy and immigration policy in 2026.
Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman explains the key eligibility requirements, documentation considerations and benefits of Costa Rica’s Pensionado residency program for retirees receiving lifetime pension income from abroad.