As part of a continued chilling of relations between the United States and China under the Trump administration, on December 4, 2020, the Department of State announced several new restrictions on Chinese Communist Party members, including:
- New rules limiting the validity of B1/B2 visas to one month and single-entry for Chinese Communist Party members and their families. B1/B2 visas for Chinese nationals are normally valid for 10 years and allow multiple entries.
- Termination of five exchange programs, including the Policymakers Educational China Trip Program, the U.S.-China Friendship Program, the U.S.-China Leadership Exchange Program, the U.S.-China Transpacific Exchange Program, and the Hong Kong Educational and Cultural Program.
A Department of State spokesperson told the New York Times that no current visas would be revoked as a result of the policy changes.
Details:
- “Termination of PRC-Funded Propaganda Programs,” Department of State, https://2017-2021.state.gov/termination-of-prc-funded-propaganda-programs/index.html
- S. Tightens Visa Rules for Chinese Communist Party Members,” New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/03/world/asia/us-visa-china-communist-party.html
- “Trump Restricts U.S. Visas for Chinese Communist Party Members and Families,” Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/us-visas-china-communist-trump/2020/12/03/bf6694ea-3551-11eb-9699-00d311f13d2d_story.html
