The first ‘Chinese Visa Application Service Center’ in the Middle East has opened at the centrally located Wafi Mall in Dubai, making China visa application facilities more accessible to residents in the UAE.

The centre was inaugurated by Li Lingbing, consul general of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, Chen Xiongfeng, deputy director – general,  The Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China; Wei Xiaodong, deputy director – general, The Department of Services for the Foreign Ministry Home and Overseas Offices, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China; and Zubin Karkaria, chief executive officer, VFS Global Group, at a grand inaugural ceremony held on September 12.

The inauguration was also attended by other key members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the consulate general of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, and VFS Global.

The new center is distinguished by enhanced levels of customer service, efficient visa submission processes, professionally trained staff fluent in local languages and Mandarin, and an exclusive Premium Lounge for personalised comfort of applicants.
Applicants for visas to China are no longer required to apply at the consulate general of P.R. China in Dubai. At the new centre, applicants will benefit from longer operational hours, aimed at ensuring a more convenient application experience.  

‘China in Luxury’ retail offering opened for exclusive travel experiences

Also launched at the new Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai is the exclusive ‘China in Luxury’ retail offering, which offers ultra-premium travel experiences to aspiring travellers to China. Through a unique arrangement, VFS Global will offer customised tourism experiences that open up a world of exclusivity and one-of-a-kind travel in China to the residents of the UAE.

Speaking at the launch, Lingbing said: “The new Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai will ensure visa applicants enjoy a service with higher quality, faster processing, and more convenience. I believe that the opening of this center will also be another boost for further uplifting people-to-people exchanges, cultural communication and practical cooperation between China and the UAE.”

Also commenting on the launch, Karkaria said: “It is a privilege to launch the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai in partnership with the Government of the People’s Republic of China. With the advancement of trade and tourism ties between the UAE and China, we are confident this new center will be effective in meeting the rising demand of China visas for UAE travellers. For greater convenience to applicants, the new center will provide services during longer operating hours and offer applicants the option of Premium Lounge services in a beautifully designed private lounge that echoes the magnificence of Chinese art and culture.”

Over the next few weeks, China Visa Application Service Centers will be launched in Abuja and Lagos (Nigeria), in Algiers (Algeria), and Beirut (Lebanon).

VFS Global has been serving the Government of the People’s Republic of China since 2008, and currently manages visa services for the client government in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, the UAE and India.

In the Middle East, VFS Global currently provides visa application processing services on behalf of 33 client governments in 29 cities based in 11 countries across the region.

Key features of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center include:
• Convenient and central location, with on-site parking
• Extended operating hours allowing applicants to visit at a time of their convenience
• Automated queue management system for quicker and more efficient submission processes
• Premium Lounge for personalised service
• Well-appointed and secure play area for children
• Photocopy and photo-booth facilities available
• Dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, checklist, applicable fees, visa status updates and appointment bookings
• Dedicated helpline and email support to answer queries

Highlights of the ‘China in Luxury’ offering include:
• Luxury travel experiences
• Customised luxury arrangements maintaining absolute privacy
• Exclusive access to a range of hand-picked exotic properties across China, which have hosted renowned international dignitaries
• Exotic dining experiences
• Ultimate sightseeing experiences through a wide range of customised tourist activities. - TradeArabia News Service