The U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs exchanged diplomatic notes on this agreement in December 2004. The decision got effective from January 15. The previous maximum validity for U.S. visas issued for these purposes was six months and for multiple entries, according to the US Department of State.

While the United States and China will in principle issue maximum validity visas to each other’s citizens, on a case-by-case basis, each side may limit the period of validity and number of entries as required by law and regulation.

“The embassy believes this mutual extension of visa reciprocity will be a significant benefit to frequent travelers between China and the United States. The longer validity of visas means these frequent travelers will not have to renew their visas so frequently, saving time and money and making travel more convenient,” said an official statement.

More than 98 percent of applicants will get the visa if they explain the purpose of travel, show evidence of savings and promise to return to China before the visa expires, as per the information available. The US also plans to extend the duration of visas for students and visiting scholars.

In 2004, the U.S. Embassy and the four U.S. consulates in China issued 228,600 nonimmigrant visas. Of these, 173,140, or more than 77 percent, were temporary visas for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2).

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the US implemented higher visa requirements which made it much more difficult for Chinese businesspeople, students and tourists to travel to the United States and China reciprocated with increased restrictions on travel by Americans, says an agency report.