China has decided to open a new visa application center in the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, in an attempt to provide more convenient and efficient services.
The center began its trial operation on Monday, August 26, 2024, and it will officially open on August 29, 2024, VisaGuide.World reports.
As the Chinese authorities explained, this visa application center is specifically responsible for handling visa applications from ordinary foreign passport holders.
The Visa Application Centre will be open for trial operation from August 27 to 28, 2024 (no service fee will be charged during this period) and will officially open on August 29, 2024. Since August 29, 2024, the embassy will no longer directly accept visa applications from ordinary passport holders.
The Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia has revealed that the embassy has processed over 20,000 visa applications this year alone, marking a remarkable doubling of the volume compared to last year, Xinhua explains.
Chinese Embassy Will Be Responsible for Issuing Decisions on Visa Applications
The new center is operated by China Youth Travel Service (CYTS) Aoyou Technology Development Co., Ltd., which is entrusted by the Chinese embassy.
Those holding diplomatic, service, or courtesy passports or those applying for diplomatic or service visas must still submit their applications directly to the embassy.
The Visa Application Center will collect visa and express service fees on the embassy’s behalf, charging its own service fee. For details on these fees, applicants should consult the centre’s website.
In addition, the center does not make decisions on visas. Thus, the embassy will determine whether to issue a visa, as well as its validity, length of stay and number of entries, based on the individual circumstances of the applicant. Consular officers may request additional documents, materials, or an interview if necessary.
Saudi Arabia Enhances Travel for Chinese Tourists
As of July 1 of this year, new regulations under the Approved Destination Status agreement have eased travel for Chinese tourist groups visiting Saudi Arabia.
These changes include streamlined visa processes, reduced costs, and a substantial increase in flight capacity—by more than 130 percent—to support economic growth and attract over five million Chinese tourists by 2030.
Additionally, Chinese nationals will receive language support at Saudi airports, destinations, and tourist sites and benefit from convenient payment options like UnionPay. Saudi authorities have also increased daily flights between China and Saudi Arabia, allowing Chinese travelers to apply for visas upon arrival, further enhancing accessibility and convenience for visitors.