889

That's very interesting, because the one-year visas were generally not available outside the U.S.

Did you get the sense they would be available to all Americans, or only HK ID holders?

The recent US-Russia visa agreement is explicit that the three-year visas are to be available worldwide, and the Russians do seem to observe the agreement; let's hope the US-China agreement contained a similar provision. The State Department is certainly aware of the issue. The State Department FAQ is clear that the US will be making these visas available to Chinese worldwide:

"Q: Can I apply for a ten-year visa if I am a Chinese national living in a country other than China?

"A: Yes, maximum visa validity is determined by the reciprocity arrangement with the country that issued your passport and not the country in which you apply." (emphasis added)

Let's not forget that uncertainty about this new arrangement isn't limited to Americans. Chinese travellers seem concerned that the U.S. may turn out to be more strict in handing out visas for ten years than one.