China opens Lagos visa centre

China has opened a new visa application centre in Victoria Island, Lagos to make visa procurement easy for Nigerians.

The centre, located at Church Gate Building, became fully commenced operations from Thursday, September 21, 2017.

According to the Console General of the People’s Republic of China, Chao Xiaoliang, the visa application centre was opened to improve the service standard for applicants.

Speaking to newsmen at the unveiling, Xiaoliang said: “From henceforth, all ordinary passport holders wishing to visit the People’s Republic of China are requested to apply for visas at Lagos, China Visa Application Centre.

“I completely believe that the centre in cooperation with VFS will surely increase the efficiency and quality of Chinese Visa processing and provide better service to applicants.”

He however added diplomats 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.

Xiaoliang also added this tremendous step would strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

”The ties between China and Nigeria have been strengthened in trade, investments, Infrastructure, culture, science, technology, and others.

“I have been working in Nigeria for more than one year and I have always felt at home.  This is mostly because of the hospitality of Nigerians.

“The yearly number of Chinese visa issued to Nigeria citizens has grown very rapidly in the past as a result of increased personal exchange. It is indeed a welcomed development.

“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 envoy reiterated that the decision to approve or disapprove visa applications still resides with the embassy.

He added that successful applicants are also expected to pick their passports from the centre.

urces 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 envoy reiterated that the decision to approve or disapprove visa applications still resides with the embassy.

He added that successful applicants are also expected to pick their passports from the centre.