1. Background to the establishment of the Visa Centre
China’s rapid opening up in recent years, amid the
ongoing globalization process, has led to a remarkable increase in its
people-to-people exchanges with other countries, creating a great demand for
Chinese visas.
Chinese Embassies and Consulates-General have been
working hard to improve the quality of their visa services; however, with
limited staff and available space, many have become overwhelmed with the
increasing quantity of visa applications.
In recent years, many countries facing such problems
have chosen to introduce the Visa Application Service Centre system offering a
wider range of more efficient services to visa applicants; Chinese Embassies
and Consulates-General handling a large quantity of visa applications in
certain key countries decided to follow this trend.
Up to now, dozens of Chinese Visa Application Service
Centres have been thus established in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and North
America to provide quality Chinese visa services.
2.What the Visa Centre offers
The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre
(hereinafter referred to as the “Visa Centre”) is a commercial service
organization registered in accordance with local laws and regulations and
recognized and authorized by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General to handle
the daily routine work of processing ordinary visa applications. However,
it operates independently of diplomatic missions and is neither a branch nor an
affiliated organ. Its main services are:
(1) To receive visa applicants and ensure their
application documents meet Chinese Government requirements for smooth
processing in the various visa categories.
(2) To provide applicants with intermediate business
services, including computer entry of basic information, and transmission of
the passport, visa, and other application documents between the Chinese Embassy
or Consulate-General and the applicant.
(3) To collect biometric information such as
fingerprints, as well as visa fees, whether for normal, express or rush
service in accordance with the requirements of a Chinese Embassy or
Consulate-General and, on their behalf, deliver the passport and visa to the
applicant.
(4) To release visa information in a timely manner,
answer customer inquiries and provide assistance through the Visa Centre’s
website, information desk, telephone, and e-mail.
(5) To provide the applicant with other necessary
services in accordance with requirements of a Chinese Embassy or
Consulate-General.
3. How the Centre Benefits Visa Applicants
(1) GOOD LOCATION: In order to provide applicants with
a welcoming environment for visa applicants and easy access, the Visa Centers
are usually located in top-grade commercial buildings in convenient locations
in major cities of each host country.
(2) FULL USE OF NETWORK TECHNOLOGY: The Visa Centers
have their own websites providing up-to-date online information, online
consultation, online form completion and online visa application status query
services.
(3) STEPS TO REDUCE WAITING TIMES: In order to ensure efficient
application processing and promote quality service, the Visa Centers normally
use an online appointment system and queuing ticket machines installed in their
reception areas. This is especially helpful in ensuring waiting times which are
short even during peak application periods.
(4) CUSTOMER-ORIENTED: The Visa Centers work
hard to be fully focused on applicants needs. In order to facilitate the
receipt and processing of applications, they open sufficient windows to provide
quality service. In the reception lobby, there is a receptionist responsible
for guiding applicants and providing on-site consulting services; special
windows are also provided for travel agencies and physically challenged
applicants, and a VIP room is designed for distinguished guests or other
applicants with special needs. In addition, applicants can obtain all kinds of
visa information from leaflets and posters and enjoy visa consultation services
through telephone, fax, and mail.
(5) CONSTANT MONITORING: Through a Visa Application
Processing & Integrated Service Platform, the operation and management
centre can monitor all Visa Centers’ operations and services in real time so as
to provide rapid technical support and handle operational emergencies as well
as service quality monitoring.
4. Operating Company of the Visa Centre
The Centre is operated by
China Bridge Group(UK) Limited(www.chinabridgegroup.co.uk), and its operation conforms strictly with the
relevant laws of the UK.
The Logos of the Centre (includingand) are trademarks legally
approved and registered in England and Wales, and are under the protection of
the relevant laws and regulations of UK. Any infringement on the owner’s
exclusive right to use the aforementioned trademarks in any way is strictly
prohibited.”
While providing you with
high quality services, the Centre kindly reminds you to carefully read
the Terms
and Conditions before submitting an
application.