NEW CHINA VISA RULES GET PERSONAL
An application for a Chinese tourist passport visa has got even more personal recently with the country demanding fingerprints to accompany any request.
This means that you have to apply online first for an appointment at any of four locations within the UK and then turn up to have your fingerprints taken before any visa will be issued.
To get a China visa you will need to have your fingerprints taken before you get to the country.
In December 2018, the China visa process changed to an online one, however making a personal appearance at their consulates are now compulsory.
This alteration by the Chinese applies to all travellers between the ages of 14 to 70 with a demand that they attend one of the UK’s four China Visa Centres, so their finger prints can be taken.
Extra pre-planning will be required in order to get you to China now. (Pic Daniel Case CC)
Currently the cost is £151. Having to travel to a major city will certainly add a sizeable cost to any holiday. A couple for instance will both have to travel to either London, Manchester, Edinburgh or maybe Belfast having to take time off work or extra holiday in order just to get the correct permissions.
Being fingerprinted before leaving their home country will I am sure put people off and add some inconvience.
You will have to visit a Chinese Consulate in person before you can now get a visa (Pic CC)
CHINA VISA HELP
One tour company has been high profile in getting the message out to both the travel trade and customers.
Specialist far eastern tour operator Wendy Wu Tours reported to the travel trade recently: “New legislation which came into force means any British passport holders visiting China on holiday must have fingerprints taken when submitting a visa application.
The giant Forbidden City complex in China a must see for many visitors (Pic Daniel Case CC)
“As a result, customers will now have to visit a Chinese consulate in person to get fingerprints taken as part of the visa application process. The consulates are in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, and long queues mean waits of up to four hours, according to the operator.
“It is thought the move could impact the speed of growth in visitor numbers to China, which was visited by around 660,000 Brits last year.
Travellers between the ages of 14 to 70 will need to attend one of the UK’s four Visa Centre’s, so their finger prints can be taken. The operator already has a step-by-step guide to help visitors to apply for a visa.
HONG KONG AND MACAO
If you are travelling to and from Hong Kong or Macao then its not a problem but if you want to cross into mainland China then you will need a visa first. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China. For some shorter visits to China where you have an onward exit outside of the country it is possible to get a 144 hour transit permit but do check the fine details to see if it applies to you.
China Visa Centres in the UK, also provided useful guides to the process:
