There is good news for Chinese and US students applying to study in each other's countries.

From next Monday, Chinese citizens travelling to the United States on educational, academic exchange and vocational training visits, will be issued 12 month multiple entry visas.

On a reciprocal basis, the rule also applies to American nationals wanting to study in China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and US Embassy in Beijing announced Tuesday.

The previous maximum validity of US visas for these purposes was six months, with two entries.

The longer validity will mean student travelers will not have to renew their visas so frequently, saving time and money and facilitating holiday visits back home and emergency travel.

"That's great. I can come and go at will without applying for the visa," cheered student Yuan Fang. "I can come back and visit my parents more often."

For Lin Zheng, a medical student at the University of Hawaii, the news came a bit late. In early 2004, she had great trouble reapplying for a visa to the US after coming back to China for the winter vacation.

"If I had had a multi-entry visa, I wouldn't have been stuck for four months." Lin said. "All of my classes of that spring semester were held up."

Li Ding, a GRE teacher with the New Oriental School, a major training centre for foreign languages, said he was optimistic about such a change.

"The number of students applying for American schools might soar in the coming years with such good news," said Li.

"I'm sure the application will be further simplified."

"This agreement is a sign of the United States' continuing interest in attracting talented students from China and elsewhere to American campuses," said a statement from the US Embassy in Beijing.

The embassy's statistics show that the volume of student applications and visas issued in 2005 has increased significantly compared to last year.

Source: China Daily