China introduces new visa application system for UAE travelers - all you need to know
Travellers are advised not to buy flight tickets until they get their visa
Dubai: Applying for a visa to China from the UAE has become more streamlined with the launch of new online application systems by both the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and the Chinese Consulate in Dubai.
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UAE officially launched its online visa application service on June 30 this year, followed by the Chinese Consulate in Dubai on Monday.
According to an update on the China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC), the entity that handles the administrative tasks of processing Chinese visa applications for ordinary passport holders, the digital transformation allows applicants in the UAE to enjoy the convenience of completing forms and submitting necessary application materials online, eliminating the initial paperwork burden.
The CVASC notice also said that the previous "Online Chinese Visa Application Form System" has been discontinued since June 30.
Applicants who have already completed the application form on the current system are required to submit their application documents in person at the CVASC Dubai by July 10 (inclusive). CVASC said the application form for the current system will not be accepted after this date. Starting July 11, the CVASC Dubai will not accept new visa applications and will only provide passport collection services.
Things to remember
It is also highly recommended to apply for your visa at least one month before your intended travel date and to avoid purchasing flight tickets before your visa is approved. Any losses incurred due to application delays or rejection will be the applicant's responsibility.
Previously, applying for a China visa generally involved checking visa requirements, completing a downloadable application form, preparing physical documents (passport, photos, itinerary, etc.), submitting the application in person at the CVASC, paying fees, and then collecting the visa once approved. The new online system aims to streamline many of these initial steps.
How to apply
For applicants applying through the Dubai Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC), the new procedure involves the following steps:
Step 1: Online Submission:
Visit www.consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ and create an account or sign in. Ensure you select the correct location (Dubai).
All applicants (excluding those for Hong Kong and Macao SAR visas) must complete the online visa application form.
Upload clear scans of required documents, including your passport biodata page, a recent passport-sized photograph, and all supporting documents relevant to your visa type.
Click the “Submit” button. Note that while the page mentions payment, online payment is currently unavailable. Fees will be paid at the Visa Centre.
Await the preliminary online review. You may receive an email requesting additional documents or modifications, in which case your status will be "Rejected". If your application passes the initial review, the status will change to “Approved,” and you will receive a confirmation email with a “Visa Application Certificate.” Print this certificate.
Step 2: Offline submission at the visa centre (Dubai Applicants):
After receiving the online approval email with the "Visa Application Certificate," an appointment is not required for the next step. Visit the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Dubai with the following documents:
The printed Visa Application Certificate and a signed copy of the online visa application form.
Your original, valid passport and any previous passports (if applicable). Applicants with multiple nationalities must bring all original valid passports.
Two recent passport-sized photographs (if the uploaded photo was deemed unsuitable).
If you were previously a Chinese national applying for your first Chinese visa, bring the original of your previous Chinese passport.
Printouts of all other supporting documents that were uploaded online.
All applicants holding ordinary passports will have their fingerprints collected. Exemptions apply for applicants under 14 or over 70, diplomatic passport holders, and those applying for short-term (less than 180 days) single or double entry visas between September 2, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
You will then pay the visa and service fees at the Visa Centre using cash or a card.
Step 3: Collection:
The standard processing time is typically four working days from the date of your in-person submission at the Visa Centre. You can collect your passport with the visa during the Visa Centre’s operating hours by presenting the original pick-up form.
The Chinese Embassy and the Dubai Consulate has strongly advised all applicants to read the detailed guidance available on their websites carefully and to prepare all necessary documents meticulously before starting the online application.
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