By Victoria Ojeme

ABUJA- The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Abuja has opened a new visa application centre for prospective Nigerians who wish to visit the country. The Abuja Chinese Visa Application Centre, located at Churchgate Plaza, Central Business District, will open on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.

The Deputy Ambassador, Mr Lin Jing told journalists Monday at a news briefing in Abuja.“From Wednesday all ordinary passport holders wishing to visit the People’s Republic of China are requested to apply for visas at Abuja China Visa Application Centre,” the envoy said.

He said diplomatic 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.

He said another centre would also be opened in Lagos where visa applications would be submitted there.Jing said the visa application centre was opened to improve the service standard for applicants but not to harm the procedure

.He added that the application process and duration for visa issuance remain unchanged.“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

.“We are happy to announce that China visa application centre will open on Wednesday, September, 20, 2017. We hope that with the opening of the centre, we will improve our services for applicants from all works of life.

“The centre would be located at Churchgate Plaza, Central Business District, Abuja.“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 embassy decides whether to approve or disapprove visa applications, he said.After visas are issued, the envoy said passports would be sent back to the application centre where applicants will pick them up.He said the new visa application fee is now 31,250 which included service fees and VAT

.He the application centre is a commercial entity and independent of the Chinese embassy and urged prospective applicants to be patient with the new development.