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China tightens visa rules for US citizens

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-06 10:37

China has tightened visa rules for citizens from the United States, which has reported the second highest number of A (H1N1) flu cases in the world.

Special coverage: A (H1N1) Influenza Outbreak Related readings: China says visa restrictions on foreigners groundless Japan tightens visa rule for Mexicans Shenzhen relaxes HK visa rules Mexicans wave visa waiting time Obama's brother 'denied UK visa'

A notice dated May 3 on the website for the Chinese Embassy and its consulates in the US said that all visa applications would now require six business days to process, with express and rush services for visa applications suspended until further notice.

It is unclear exactly why the rules have been changed, but it came amid a global efforts to contain the spreading A (H1N1) flu, formerly known as swine flu.

The new visa regulation, effective as of May 4, appears to apply to all Chinese visas, including tourist and business categories. Visa applicants are also required to fill out a form declaring which countries and US states they had visited two weeks prior.

Previously, US nationals could obtain visas in as little as one day.

More than 1,400 people globally have been infected with A (H1N1) flu, with Mexico reporting the most confirmed cases with 802. The United States so far has reported 380 cases in more than 30 states.

On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said that "relevant adjustment (to the visa policy) is non-discriminatory and is not targeted at any country. The adjustment of visa policy will not affect the normal entry of foreigners and exchanges of people."