In recent years, biometric visas have rapidly gained popularity throughout the world, and more and more countries have successively developed and implemented biometric visas. With reference to international practices and proven experience, according to the requirements of the Chinese Consulate-General in Istanbul, starting from December 4th, 2017, the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Istanbul (hereinafter referred to as “Visa Application Center”) will collect fingerprints from all Chinese visa applicants in the consular districts on behalf of the Chinese Consulate-General. Applicants must attend the Visa Application Center in person to lodge their applications and provide fingerprints. The collected fingerprints data will be directly submitted by the Visa Application Center to the Chinese Consulate-General,andthe applicant applying for a Chinese visa once again within the next 5 years will not need to be collected the fingerprints again.

To provide more quality services to applicants and facilitate the submission of visa applications, starting from December 4th, 2017, the Istanbul Visa Application Center will launch the new version of the website and add online appointment and online form filling services. All applicants who lodge their visa applications to the Visa Application Center must complete the visa application forms online and make appointments through the "Online Form Filling" and "Online Appointment" module of the new website in advance. After completing the online application form, the applicant should print out the visa application form from the website and sign it bringing together with other related visa application materials to the Visa Application Center at the scheduled appointment time to lodge the application.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.