EVUS is an automated travel system created by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to be used to determine the admissibility of the Chinese nationals to the U.S. with a 10- year B1/B2, B1 or B2 U.S. nonimmigrant visa that started on November 29,2016.
Other visa types or nationalities are not affected by this new system although may be added in this program in the future through Federal Register notice.
eVUS Visa for Chinese Citizens and the system facilitate the periodic collection of update of biographical information for admissibility check to the U.S. In addition to a valid visa, such travelers are required to timely complete EVUS enrollment that generates an enrolment number valid for two years of which if not renewed, the visa is provisionally revoked. The temporary revocation is reversed automatically upon compliance with EVUS. EVUS enrolment is distinct from visa application process and visa validity.
The traveler must undertake enrolment before boarding any vessel destined for the U.S. or before making a request for admissibility at a land or port of entry otherwise one will not be able to obtain a boarding pass for entry to the United States. In case a traveler had been denied U.S. visa with the current or previous passport owing to administrative issues or failure to submit relevant information or document, the CBP may undertake a determination to have a manual review of the EVUS application. It may take about 72 hours upon submission to determine individual enrolment.
EVUS enrolment platform is in both English and Chinese. EVUS enrollment questions must, however, be answered in English except for some exceptional cases where traveler’s Chinese native language is expressly required.
EVUS enrolment implies a nominal fee meant to cover the cost of running the system. Information regarding the implementation of this fee can be located on CBP website.
Travelers’ who may have queries regarding the EVUS enrolments, these should be channeled through the CBP Call Center available at all times except during U.S holidays.
There are scenarios where a traveler may be subject to re-enrollment save the issue of expiry period of two years. These include if;
- The traveler obtain a new 10-year B1/B2, B1, or B2 visa
- The traveler gets a new passport
- There are significant changes on; travelers name, gender, nationality including dual citizenship and circumstances surrounding previous responses to eligibility
In the event EVUS registration is submitted by a third party, the traveler must be responsible for the authentification of the information provided.