ChinAfrica: What is the reason for establishing the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Johannesburg?

Visa Officer: With exchanges between the peoples of China and South Africa increasing in recent years, the number of [visa applications] at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg experienced a sharp increase. Many applicants said when applying for a visa through appointed travel agencies or by themselves, they had to go through several procedures and wait for a long time.

So to cope with the sharp rise in the number of applications and workload and improve services, the embassy and the consulate increased their investment in human, financial and other resources [but] despite that, it was still hard to meet the increasing needs. Many countries had faced similar problems. To deal with them, they introduced a new work model in their consular affairs, roping in [professional] visa application service providing agencies to help handle applications. To date, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, New Zealand and some other countries have introduced this [system]. The service center helps applicants enjoy faster service and facilitates travels between the two countries. 

How does the center facilitate getting visas?

Service time at the center has been extended from half a workday to the whole workday and service windows have been increased from two to five. The center, located in the central business district with convenient transportation and adequate parking space, offers the following services: scheduling appointments, consultations and ushering services; supporting services such as photocopying, photography and refreshment facilities. 

What kind of visa applications does the center handle? Can applications be submitted online or via mail, or does the applicant have to appear in person?

The center handles visa applications within the consular areas of the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg.

Except diplomatic, official and courtesy visa applications and applications for the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, all other ordinary visa applications should be submitted at the center.

The center doesn't accept online or mailed applications but applicants can schedule appointments online to submit their applications. Applicants can also submit their applications in person or through a travel agent.

Are there any changes in terms of submitting and processing applications at the center? What is the procedure for applying for a visa? How long does it take to get a visa?

The procedures are the same as earlier when submitting applications to the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulate General in Johannesburg.

The applicant should fill in the application form, provide the required photos, their original passport and copies of it as well as supporting documents related to their travel to China, such as an invitation letter, itinerary and proof of financial status to show that they can support themselves financially during their travel. An online appointment for submitting the application either in person or through a travel agent can be made by the applicant. The center sends the application and related documents to the Consulate General in Johannesburg for further processing.

The approved applications are sent back to the center. Qualified applicants can collect their passport and visa from the center after paying the visa fee.

If the application does not meet the requirements, the center will inform the applicant to provide the additional documents required, or go to the Consulate General for an interview, or return the rejected application.

Usually, it takes four working days to get a visa to China. However, an applicant can also avail of urgent service that requires two working days or express service that takes three working days by paying an additional fee.