No rush for 10-year US visas

About 1,000 citizens had received 10-year visas from the US Consulate General in Chengdu by Tuesday, after the United States and China extended the validity of visas to each other's country a week earlier.

Eric Alexander, director of the visa office in Chengdu, said no obvious increase in numbers applying for visas had been seen so far. The Consulate General received some 400 applications every day during the past week which was also about the same as usual.

Starting on Nov 12, the US and China extended the validity of short-term business and tourist visas from one to 10 years. Student visas changed from a one-year limit to five years, or the length of the academic program.

"It is a little early to figure out the influence of this new policy," said Alexander.

US ambassador to China, Max Baucus, said on Tuesday there would be no change in visa application standards, fees or duration of stay.

Travelers with the new visa continue to be allowed to stay in the US for a maximum 6 months on each visit, he said.