China announces new visa regime for Nigerians

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Abuja has opened a new visa application centre for Nigerians who wish to visit the country.

The Abuja Chinese Visa Application Centre, located at Churchgate Plaza, Central Business District, will open on tomorrow, Wednesday, September 20, 2017, the deputy ambassador, Mr Lin Jing, said at a news briefing in Abuja yesterday.

He said the new visa application fee is now 31,250 which included service fees and VAT.

He said diplomatic and official passport holders or applicants applying for Hong Kong/Macao Special Administrative Region visa/entry permits are to submit their applications directly to the Chinese embassy.

He said another visa application centre would also be opened in Lagos, adding that the application process and duration for visa issuance remain unchanged.

“We have limited resources and facilities and over the past years we have seen visa applicants sweating under the sun shine.

“We have been trying hard to improve our service and make it more comfortable for visa applicants while waiting for their interviews or to submit applications.

“The centre is entrusted to receive visa applications on behalf of the embassy and we have a duty to oversee their operation,” he said.

The embassy decides whether to approve or disapprove visa applications, he said.

After visas are issued, the envoy said passports would be sent back to the application centre where applicants will pick them up.

He said the application centre is a commercial entity and independent of the Chinese embassy.