Since March 15, 2023, the Chinese government has made further adjustments to the visa and entry policies, of which valid visas issued before March 28, 2020 have been resumed to use. Recently, some applicants asked whether the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States can compensate for use suspension of 10-year multi-entry visas past three years (March 28, 2020 to March 14, 2023) due to the COVID-19. The specific arrangements are as follows:

1. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multi-entry visas issued by Chinese authorities abroad before March 28, 2020 under bilateral reciprocity agreements, whose visas temporarily suspended of use between March 28, 2020 and March 14, 2023 due to the COVID-19, may apply for compensation.

However, if a new multi-year multi-entry visa or residence permit has been issued after March 28, 2020, no compensation will be given for the original multi-year multi-entry visa.

2. Applicants may choose whether to apply for compensation after the expiration of their visas. A three-year multi-entry visa can be applied free of charge in compensation. If applicants choose to give up the compensation, a new 10-year multi-entry visa can be applied for with normal charge.

3. Compensated visas shall be applied for in accordance with normal visa procedures and document requirements.

4.The Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the U.S. will no longer accept same category visa applications with 10-year multi-entry visas still valid for more than six months. Applicants may choose to apply for compensated visas after the expiration of their original ones.