US embassy in China to open student visa service on May 4; restrictions on Chinese STEM students still effective
Zhao Yusha and Xing Xiaojing Published: Apr 30, 2021 06:14 PM
Students study at a library of Columbia University in New York, the United States, on Dec. 7, 2019.Photo:Xinhua
The US embassy and consulates in China are scheduled to open visa appointments for Chinese students on May 4, after Washington announced easing of travel restrictions for foreign students.
The move is positive but no sign of improvement for China-US people-to-people exchange, Chinese analysts say, as visa restrictions for Chinese STEM students remain effective.
William Bistransky, acting consul general at the US Embassy in China, announced the visa re-opening for Chinese students during a Friday press conference. Mr. Bristransky said the embassy will gear up visa processing for those students once appointments officially re-opened, but certain details, such as anti-pandemic measures for those students and whether local vaccinations received by Chinese students will be recognized by the US, remain unknown.