Chinese missions eliminate online visa appointments

Starting from yesterday, Chinese embassies and consulates in more than 10 countries, including major destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Italy, New Zealand and Singapore, will cease online appointment for visa application in favor of walk-in service. 

This allows visitors to directly walk into the embassies and consulates and apply for visas during the operating hours.

However, applicants are still advised to complete in advance the application forms online to avoid crowds on the spot.

According to an announcement released last Thursday by the Chinese embassy in the United States, the embassy and consulates across the US would begin offering appointment-free visa application on October 23 to make it easier for foreigners to visit China.

There is no requirement for the visa applicant to make an online appointment after entering the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system and completing the form.

The applicant can simply go to the embassy or consulate and submit the application form together with required documents.

With the online appointment eliminated, the number of applicants visiting Chinese embassies and consulates may increase dramatically, resulting in extended waiting times.

After entering the venue, applicants should follow the staff's instructions, go through security screening, acquire a number and wait for their call.

Applicants who have already completed online bookings and submitted their applications within the reservation date's matching time frame may be prioritized with the reservation voucher.

The Chinese embassy and consulates in South Korea also announced on Thursday on their websites that they would cancel visa appointment starting from October 23 to improve visa-applying process.

People can apply at their visa application service centers anytime between 9am and 3pm on working days.

Applicants with an appointment after October 23 can submit their application at the visa center.

To streamline on-site process, applicants should complete the application form on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website (https://bio.visaforchina.org/SEL4_ZH/) and verify the information.

Visa processing times and fees remain unchanged.

For specific application procedures for Chinese visas, people can go to http://kr.china-embassy.gov.cn/lsfw/hzlxzyw/zgqz/202301/t20230110_11005068.htm

The Chinese Consulate General in Milan said Italians applying for a Chinese visa at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Rome, Milan or Florence no longer need an appointment.

Before visiting the visa center, applicants should check the latest visa application notice on the official website, fill out the form online, print it and carry all the papers.

Visas may expire if applied for too early. Better do the application one month before entering China.

Rome Visa Center official website address and e-mail: https://www.visaforchina.cn/ROM2_ZH/, [e-mail]

Milan Visa Center official website address and e-mail: https://www.visaforchina.cn/MIL2_ZH/index.shtml, [e-mail]

Florence Visa Center official website address and e-mail: https://www.visaforchina.cn/FLR2_ZH/index.shtml, [e-mail]

Chinese embassies and consulates in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mongolia and Angola have also implemented the new rule.

Embassies in Afghanistan and Iran have already canceled online visa application since October 22.

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Editor: Liu Xiaolin
Designer: Shi JingyunWriter: Ke Jiayun

Photo: Ti Gong

Source: City News Service

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