Agents urged to act fast as new China visa rules come into force
Wendy Wu Tours is warning customers that new legislation means that applying for a visa to visit China is more complex and applications are taking longer to process.
Now all British passport holders must have fingerprints taken at the time of submitting their application, which means they must visit the Chinese consulate in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
Wendy Wu is one of a few companies to be granted special exemption from the new rule, so it can continue to process visas as normal without fingerprints, but only until December 3 for travel to China before 2020, regardless of whether the customer has booked a holiday or not.
The cost of Wendy Wu’s visa is £310 per person and the operator will require all visa applications by Monday November 26 to ensure they’re processed without the need for fingerprints.
Founder Wendy Wu said: "We know this is going to have an impact and so we strongly advise agents to contact any customers who have made a booking to China or any potential customers looking to travel to China to move quickly and get their visas with us now before the new legislation takes effect. The good news for those that hold a British citizen passport is that their visa is valid for two years from the date of issue and can be used multiple times for stays of up to 90 days each visit.
"Since Wendy Wu Tours was formed 20 years ago we have has always worked very closely with agents to make travel to China easy and accessible to their customers. Wendy Wu Tours was instrumental in changing the perception of travel to China from something incredibly difficult to that of a mainstream destination, as it is today. We are the experts for China and, given the lack of publicity regarding these visa changes, we see it as our duty to inform agents of this new legislation."
Meanwhile, she said the firm was utilising its close ties with the Chinese government and lobbying, on behalf of the trade, to have this new legislation reversed.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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