Visa applications to be simplified for Chinese visitors

[Terpe]

14 October 2013

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has announced measures to simplify the visa application proces for Chinese visitors.

In Beijing today, Monday 14 October, the Chancellor announced 3 key steps, including a pilot scheme which will cut down on paperwork for Chinese visitors to the EU and UK.

Chinese nationals wanting to visit both the EU and UK will not need to submit a separate UK visa application when they book with selected Chinese travel agents.

A new 24-hour 'super priority' visa service is also to be made available from summer next year.

The plan also includes expansion of the VIP mobile visa service now operating in Beijing and Shanghai. This service cuts the process down to 5 minutes or less, because visa teams go to applicants to collect their completed forms and biometric data.

China is one of the UK's priority markets for tourism and business. In 2012, 210,000 visas were issued to visiting Chinese nationals who went on to contribute around £300 million to the British economy.

Chinese students make up the largest group of foreign nationals in UK schools and universities. The UK is also the top destination for Chinese investment in Europe, attracting nearly £2 billion in the past year alone. More than 600 Chinese businesses now have a presence in the UK.

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, said:

'We are continuing to attract the brightest and best to work and study in the UK, while preventing immigration abuse and bringing net migration down to the tens of thousands.

'Our Chinese visa system already provides an excellent service and figures demonstrate that Chinese tourists are increasingly choosing to visit the UK. We will continue to make further improvements wherever possible for visitors travelling independently or as part of a group.'

The UK already offers a competitive service to Chinese visa applicants, including 12 visa application centres across China, an optional 5-day priority visa service for eligible tourists, business visitors and skilled workers, and extended opening hours in 6 application centres.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...ed-visas-china

[Arthur Little]

Personally, ... I think the 'Home Office Guidelines' could do with being simplified for ALL applicants.

Quite honestly ... ... in their present format, they're so complex, they might as well be printed in "Double Dutch"!

[hawk]

bet none of them get there visit visa turned down or get asked if their going back home

[andy222]

He is just brown nosing because the chinese are pumping money into the country. It wouldnt surprise me if he gets a backhander out of it.

[joebloggs]

i think they missed the word 'Rich' Chinese, after all this country has a problem with illegal Chinese immigrants

[Terpe]

i think they missed the word 'Rich' Chinese, after all this country has a problem with illegal Chinese immigrants

Yes Joe, the words nail and head spring to mind

All part of the 'Give us yer money' campaign

[andy222]

Just another sell off.

[SimonH]

Make it easier for them to come and spend their money, oh no
That's the last thing we want isn't it
They fly here....... create employment at the airport
They stay in a hotel........ more people kept employed
Go to tourist attractions, maybe take a taxi, buy an ice cream, go to one of our world famous restaurants

And the problem is

[grahamw48]

My city seems to be full of young Chinese students.

Not a problem. They are always well-behaved and seem to fit unobtrusively into society.

[joebloggs]

They fly here....... create employment at the airport
They stay in a hotel........ more people kept employed
Go to tourist attractions, maybe take a taxi, buy an ice cream, go to one of our world famous restaurants

And the problem is

you sound like May and why they brought in the £18k6 minimum income threshold

My city seems to be full of young Chinese students.

Not a problem. They are always well-behaved and seem to fit unobtrusively into society.

are you sure they are students and not over-stayers

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...raid-1-6129734

[SimonH]

you sound like May and why they brought in the £18k6 minimum income threshold



are you sure they are students and not over-stayers

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...raid-1-6129734

So let me get this right......... the UKBA are doing their job by getting rid of illegal immigrants, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is encouraging legal visitors to come and spend money and therefore creating economic growth
Sounds like a win-win situation to me

[joebloggs]

So let me get this right......... the UKBA are doing their job by getting rid of illegal immigrants, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is encouraging legal visitors to come and spend money and therefore creating economic growth
Sounds like a win-win situation to me

UKBA are not fit for purpose - don't you read the news ,
as for legal visitors, tell me what were those students who now over stay were

sounds like to me

[SimonH]

UKBA are not fit for purpose - don't you read the news ,
as for legal visitors, tell me what were those students who now over stay were

sounds like to me

What students No mention of students in the link you posted

[grahamw48]

I believe most of the students are attending either York University or St.Johns College here....plus we have a law college too.

I don't know much about the Chinese studying here, but the way things are in China, compared to here, I'm sure they're very happy to return home after completion of their courses.

[SimonH]

I believe most of the students are attending either York University or St.Johns College here....plus we have a law college too.

I don't know much about the Chinese studying here, but the way things are in China, compared to here, I'm sure they're very happy to return home after completion of their courses.

So whilst they're here Graham they're renting accommodation, spending money in the local community.

Don't remember seeing any reports of Chinese nationals camping out rough, begging etc come to think of it I haven't heard of any Buddhist extreme terrorists trying to blow up western infidels recently
Wish there were more round my way spending their money

[Dedworth]

you sound like May and why they brought in the £18k6 minimum income threshold



are you sure they are students and not over-stayers

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...raid-1-6129734

Reports of Chinese illegals/failed asylum seekers/overstayers being caught are relatively few - either they're extra crafty or there's not that many.

95% of the germs reported seem to be from the Indian sub continent. If people stopped using "Indian" (aka Stani & Bangladeshi) Restaurants they'd be overcrowding Heathrow attempting to get home. The councils would also be able to save money by employing less Food Hygiene Inspectors

[grahamw48]

So whilst they're here Graham they're renting accommodation, spending money in the local community.

Don't remember seeing any reports of Chinese nationals camping out rough, begging etc come to think of it I haven't heard of any Buddhist extreme terrorists trying to blow up western infidels recently
Wish there were more round my way spending their money

That's exactly how I see it Simon.

Some cracking looking Chinese ladies to ogle at too .

[joebloggs]

What students No mention of students in the link you posted

how do you think they get here

Reports of Chinese illegals/failed asylum seekers/overstayers being caught are relatively few - either they're extra crafty or there's not that many.

oh dedworth your memory is going what about your fav program border farce where the chinese 'students' wife owned a Chinese take away

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/...raid-1-6129710
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/sc...ay-out-2297308
http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co....1001172710.htm
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si.../45-manchester
http://www.brechinadvertiser.co.uk/n...aids-1-3097154
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...llegal-workers
http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2013/10/t...-lincoln-raid/
http://percyweller.wordpress.com/201...orkers-caught/

[Dedworth]

Still a drop in the ocean Joe compared with the number of Banglas, 'Stanis and Indian they hoover up

Some of their London & SE press releases

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ne...onandSouthEast

[joebloggs]

Still a drop in the ocean Joe compared with the number of Banglas, 'Stanis and Indian they hoover up

Some of their London & SE press releases

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ne...onandSouthEast

of course they are not number 1 but i think they are in the top 5

[andy222]

So whilst they're here Graham they're renting accommodation, spending money in the local community.

And here was me thinking we had a housing problem here.

[SimonH]

And here was me thinking we had a housing problem here.

No housing problem here In fact I have a room to rent at the moment if you know of anyone Chinese women more than welcome

[andy222]

Only one Simon?. Problem solved then.

[SimonH]

Only one Simon?. Problem solved then.

In fact I do have 2 spare rooms, so renting the other one as well would pay for upgrades on my flights to the Philippines. Good idea Andy Thanks

[andy222]

Wow 2 spare rooms you are a rich man.

[SimonH]

Wow 2 spare rooms you are a rich man.

All bought and paid for mate, through hard graft No claiming for me

[joebloggs]

So whilst they're here Graham they're renting accommodation, spending money in the local community.

so would be the wife of British Citizen who earns less than £18k6 a year but unlike rich Chinese or Chinese students they don't have that chance, unlike the wife of a European living in the UK who doesn't earn £18k6

[andy222]

Good point joe.