By the time this article was written and published, there had been two major U.S. visa policy changes:
- EVUS will charge a $30 fee starting September 30.
- Nonimmigrant U.S. visas can only be applied for at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of nationality or country of long-term residence.
For Chinese passport holders living in Canada who need to travel to the United States or transit through the country, applying for a valid U.S. visa in advance is important.
The visas issued to the first group of 10-year visa holders may begin expiring as early as November 2024. According to the latest official update from February 18, 2025, people who already hold a 10-year U.S. visa and whose visa is about to expire or expired within the previous 12 months may be eligible to renew without an interview if they meet the requirements:
- The application is submitted in the applicant’s country of nationality or country of residence.
- The applicant has no history of visa refusals.
- There is no apparent or potential ineligibility.
Timeline
Here is the writer’s timeline after submitting the application at the end of July, for reference.
- Submitted: The application was completed and submitted on July 21. An email with mailing instructions arrived the next day.
- Mailed: After taking a new passport photo, the writer mailed the documents from a local post office on the evening of July 24.
- Delivered: Canada Post showed delivery to the destination on July 30. The visa status tracker showed that the documents were received the next day, July 31.
- Pickup notice: An email arrived on the afternoon of August 12 saying that the passport could be picked up at the selected location.
- In hand: The passport was received on August 13.
The 10-year visa arrived smoothly. Excluding the writer’s personal delays, it took only three weeks from mailing to receipt—two full weeks faster than the official processing time mentioned above.
Process
Based on the writer’s experience, the application process was fairly smooth. Follow the steps one by one.
1️⃣ Complete the DS-160 application form: On the official website, select the applicant’s location and click Start. Be sure to write down the application ID because it is needed if you exit midway or need to retrieve the record later. Before submitting the application, you can also start over if you did not record the application ID in time.
⚠️ The writer found that the form mainly asks for basic information. One reader reported accidentally omitting the Chinese name in addition to having a spelling issue with the romanized name. After receiving a request to provide the missing information, the reader updated it and still received the visa. Check every section carefully while filling out the form.
🤔 If you do not yet have specific travel plans, you can be honest and state that you have no plans, as the writer did. You only need to enter a U.S. city and attraction you would like to visit. A hotel can be entered for the accommodation. Not having a fixed itinerary does not prevent the visa from being approved.
📷 If you already have a qualifying passport photo, uploading the electronic version is best. When completing the form, the writer uploaded an electronic photo but mailed a new printed photo with the documents. There was no need to complete the application again; the photo on the visa was the new photo included with the mailed documents.
After completing the form, save or print the final confirmation page.
2️⃣ Go to the U.S. Embassy in Canada website.
Because this is a renewal, applicants whose previous visa was also issued in Canada can log in to their existing account. If you need to reset the password, follow the instructions to verify through email.
After selecting the applicant’s identity, enter the name, passport number, and application ID from Step 1. Read the questionnaire shown in the middle image and select the answers that apply. The payment page will appear next.
After payment, if you qualify for an interview waiver, you do not need to schedule an interview. Select the pickup address that is closest or most convenient for you.
3️⃣ Mail the documents after receiving the mailing instructions.
The writer received the email the next day. The instructions were clear and listed the following documents:
- The passport that will receive the visa stamp, valid for at least six more months
- The passport containing the old U.S. visa
- The DS-160 confirmation page
- The instruction page attached to the email
- A copy of Canadian status, such as a permanent resident card, study permit, or work permit
- One colour passport photo measuring 5 cm × 5 cm, taken within the past six months
The email includes a deadline for changing the passport pickup address. Log in to the U.S. Embassy in Canada portal from Step 2 to pay an additional fee for home delivery or change the pickup address as needed.
👝 If someone else needs to pick up the passport, enter that person’s name before the deadline. The representative must present valid identification, such as a Canadian driver’s licence, when collecting the passport. The information cannot be changed after confirmation.
🍬 One data point suggests that the visa photo requirement may not be strictly enforced for stamping. Some applicants have successfully used an existing electronic negative to print a photo. This is provided for reference only.
4️⃣ Go to any Canada Post location.
After preparing the documents above, the writer recommends putting them in a waterproof envelope. Follow the courier mailing instructions and give the second page to the Canada Post clerk. The clerk can print the tracking number and mail the package. Canada Post staff are familiar with this process.
5️⃣ Wait for the result.
The official website provides an estimated processing time. The email the writer received said it would take about five weeks. If you are anxious to check, you can track the visa processing status on the official website. Even after accounting for August 4, a Canadian public holiday, the actual processing was efficient, and the writer received the pickup email on August 12. Applicants who choose delivery should receive the delivery notice within 10 business days.
6️⃣ Receive the passport.
The writer selected the Vancouver BLS location at 850 WEST HASTING. Its hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The location is easy to find: a small door on the left has the BLS sign, and the office is downstairs. This location is actually a service point for Indian visas, but inside there is an office with a sign for “U.S. visa—passport.” Show a valid ID such as a Canadian driver’s licence, confirm the details, sign, and the passport can be collected within a few minutes. The main drawback is that there are not many parking spaces nearby.
🔔 The official notice says that pickup is available for 15 days. After that, the passport will be sent back to the stamping location.
Cost
The main cost is the visa application fee. The current fee for the B1/B2 category is $185 USD.
Additional costs:
- Passport photo: Around C$22–30 for same-day service at places such as London Drugs, Shoppers, and Staples. Some options include an electronic copy of the photo.
- Delivery: The local pickup option selected by the writer was included in the application fee. For those who want home delivery, Premium Delivery costs C$30 to a Canadian address. Allow additional delivery time after approval.
Reminder
After receiving the new 10-year visa, you must register for EVUS again before travelling to the United States, even if the previous EVUS registration is still less than two years old.
Although U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expected to charge a registration fee in the future, no implementation date has been announced. Registration is still free for now.
Conclusion
In short, an interview-waiver renewal can provide another 10 years. For travellers who need a U.S. visa for tourism or transit, having the visa gives them more options.