How Chinese Travelers Can Prepare for U.S. Journeys

Travelers should prepare for standard queries and ensure they have all necessary documentation and extra details readily available when crossing borders.

The
tariff war
The tensions between the globe’s two biggest economic powers have not just increased doubts around trade; they’ve also created anxiety in China regarding traveling to the U.S.

To such an extent that Beijing is encouraging citizens who wish to visit the US to do so.
to be cautious
and has issued two travel warnings for the United States, citing “the deterioration of Sino-US economic and trade relations, and the domestic security situation” in the country.

Following reports of their citizens facing denial of entry or detention at the U.S. border, Canada, Germany, Britain, and Australia have revised their travel advisories accordingly.

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Based on initial official information provided by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), total international visitor numbers to the United States dropped by 11.6% in March compared to the previous year. Visits from Germany declined by 28%, and arrivals from the UK decreased by 14%.

Even though arrivals from China only dropped by 0.8 percent to reach 115,151 in March, Chinese tourists continue to be cautious.

David Huang, hailing from the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan, expressed concerns about US immigration policies, stating that they were now causing anxiety for individuals planning to visit the country.

Huang intends to travel to the United States this fall when his daughter begins her first year of high school, and he anticipates facing rigorous interrogation at the border.

Immigration attorneys report that there isn’t a definitive sign indicating CBP has altered its stance toward international travelers. However, amid the ongoing efforts by the Trump Administration to enforce more stringent immigration rules, these experts advise that foreigners intending to come to the U.S. ought to be well-prepared.

Below is the information you should be aware of when crossing the border into the US along with the necessary actions to take.

Prepare for interviews

Be honest and clear.

No matter how you arrived in the US – by air, land or sea – a CBP officer will usually ask routine questions about the purpose of the visit, duration and where the visitors plan to stay, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. Some people or items might get a quick check, while others could get a more detailed examination, depending on the officer’s assessment.

For those visiting the US for the first time, or those who are shy or timid, it could be a good idea to practise in advance, according to Shih-Han Lin, an immigration lawyer at Akula & Associates, a law firm in Texas.

” refrain from providing unrelated responses and avoid deception, as misleading a U.S. immigration official could result in graver repercussions compared to many other infractions,” Lin stated.

Jian Joe Zhou, an immigration attorney based in Houston, Texas, advised that another crucial point for international travelers is to gather all essential travel documentation prior to boarding a flight to the United States, regardless of whether they have visited the country previously.

Zhou mentioned a recent instance where a corporate client was requested to provide comprehensive details about their hotel plans for an entire trip, even though they had past travel history recorded in that country.

As the CEO of a publicly traded firm, hotel bookings are typically handled by my assistant. I coincidentally had screenshots of reservation confirmations that were sent to me through messages. When asked at customs, presenting these images allowed me entry.

A Chinese student pursuing studies on the U.S.’s eastern seaboard mentioned that during his recent trip to the United States earlier this month, while going through pre-clearance at a Canadian airport, he was required to present both his I-20 student visa along with proof of residency and his U.S. driver’s license.

What does a follow-up examination entail?

Attorneys explain that should a CBP agent identify an issue that can’t be swiftly addressed or suspect any security concerns, foreign travelers—ranging from vacationers and visa holders to green card recipients—might face prolonged and thorough secondary scrutiny or potentially lengthier detentions within immigration centers under certain circumstances.

This could also include inspections of the traveler’s possessions and digital devices, such as examining text messages, photographs, or the contacts listed on your mobile device, which might be reviewed by law enforcement officials.

If CBP refuses your entry into the U.S., immigration attorneys advise requesting a copy of the interview transcript along with an explanation for the denied admission. According to Lin, this information might prove helpful when seeking assistance from an immigration lawyer later on.

A second examination doesn’t imply rejected entry, nor does it suggest that there’s anything dubious about the traveler.

However, a secondary inspection may take as long as a few hours of waiting, during which no mobile phones can be used. Communication can resume after the secondary inspection.

In 2019, the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles released a statement advising Chinese travelers to cooperate, remain rational, and show respect when undergoing additional screening processes.

“The consulate recommends that family members and friends remain patient, while the individual should proactively reach out to their loved ones to inform them of their safety once communications have been restored,” it stated.

What are my rights?

If visitors do not feel confident speaking English, they can request an interpreter.

Additionally, they possess the option to stay quiet; however, electing this path might lead to being denied entry.

Should the queries turn invasive or inappropriate, both visitors—regardless of their citizenship status as non-citizen visa holders—and others have been advised by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to lodge a complaint and request speaking with a supervisor.

Lin noted that foreign nationals had few rights, for example, to a lawyer, during a primary or secondary inspection.

“You can ask for [a lawyer], but CBP may permit or reject your request, depending on the situation,” she said.

In the meantime, travelers facing issues at the U.S. border and choosing to depart on the following flight have the option to “retract” their desire to enter. However, this might not stop them from attempting to enter again later—unless their admission was previously refused due to a factor that rendered their visa invalid.

Are B1/B2 visas guaranteed for a stay of up to six months?

The length of your visit is decided by CBP, and although the maximum allowed stay with a B visa can be up to six months, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive the full period.

In 2021, CBP began phasing out ink stamps in passports for non-U.S. citizens arriving via air travel to the United States. Individuals with visas must consult the CBP I-94 website to verify their entry records and prevent inadvertently overstayng their permitted time.

Lin stated that with the U.S. government tightening its immigration policies, overstaying a visa might lead to severe outcomes such as being barred from re-entering, having future visa applications denied, and potentially facing deportation.

“This is very important, that what actually governs your lawful stay in the US is not your passport, petition approval notice or your visa but the I-94 form.”

Starting April 11, international visitors planning to stay in the U.S. for 30 days or longer are required to enroll online with the Department of Homeland Security as part of the Alien RegistrationRequirement.

Lin stated that according to the new regulations, individuals holding visas or possessing I-94 admission records were already enrolled, and foreign citizens who turn 14 years old have to reregister within 30 days from their 14th birthday.

Is unlocking electronic devices necessary?

CBP has the authority to search belongings, including electronics, and may retain a copy of information if they believe it relates to immigration, customs or evidence of a violation of law.

After the events of September 11, border searches became more aggressive under the “border search exception” that allows warrantless searches at ports of entry, such as airports.

Visa holders risk being denied entry if they refuse to allow access to their device, but as the policy is still legally contested, the ACLU advises travellers to directly input their own passwords rather than divulging them to CBP officers.

CBP said last week that device searches were rare – less than 0.01 per cent of cases – and meant to “detect digital contraband, terrorism-related content and information relevant to visitor admissibility, all of which play a critical role in national security”.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will start monitoring social media for indications of antisemitism during the evaluation of applications for green cards, visas, or citizenship. This move has sparked worries about how remarks posted online might influence one’s ability to enter the country.

Immigration attorneys advised that international travelers ought to exercise caution when posting on social platforms or sending texts that might cause unwarranted confusion. They also suggested possibly utilizing a secondary device for communication during trips abroad.

Lin stated, “Although these might be considered mere jests among pals, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to interpreting them, and the final say rests with CBP.”

Do I need to reconsider my plans to visit the United States?

According to immigration attorneys, Chinese students, and travel agencies in China, visitors from China who have valid visas can continue to travel to the United States without any changes.

However, Zhou, the lawyer in Houston, warned there remained a risk of being denied entry if a foreign visitor had an arrest record in the US, even if there was no criminal charge or conviction made.

“Individuals facing certain concerns, like green card holders who’ve spent over a year outside the U.S., may find their chances of entry diminish without a re-entry permit,” Zhou stated.

On China’s caution about travel to America, the US embassy in Beijing said recent travel warnings by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism were “just another example of how China has chosen to retaliate against US tariffs rather than seek a path forward on reciprocity”.

“The [US] Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process,” the embassy said.