Citizens from the Chinese mainland are expected to become eligible for five-year multiple entry visa to the US in the future, the Nandu Daily reported, quoting Gary Locke, the ambassador of the US to China.

Locke was on a visit to the US Consulate General in Guangzhou on Wednesday. He said that the US embassy to China is to provide multi entry visas with validity of more than one year to Chinese mainland citizens. Currently, the validity of multi entry visas is only up to one year, and five-year multiple entry visas are expected for businessmen, tourists and students in the Chinese mainland in the future.

"If it comes true, it will save a lot of time spent applying for and waiting for visas. We can also save a lot of money on visa fees," Wang Tiange, a student who is going to the US to study for a PhD, told the Global Times Thursday.

Locke said he has endeavored to reduce the waiting time for visas and improve the visa application process since he took office in 2011.

The US embassy has previously taken measures to streamline the visa application process. Starting from March 16, 2013, applicants can use an online system to book visa interview appointments and to check the status of visa applications, according to an announcement on the official website of the US embassy.

Global Times