The first-ever ‘Chinese Visa Application Service Centre’ in the Middle East was launched at the centrally located WAFI Mall in Dubai, making China visa application facilities more accessible to residents in the United Arab Emirates, UAE.

The centre was inaugurated by Li Lingbing, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, Chen Xiongfeng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wei Xiaodong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Services for the Foreign Ministry Home and Overseas Offices, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and Zubin Karkaria, Chief Executive Officer of the VFS Global Group, at a grand inaugural ceremony held on Tuesday.

The inauguration was also attended by other key members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, and VFS Global.

The new centre is distinguished by enhanced levels of customer service, efficient visa submission processes, professionally trained staff fluent in local languages and Mandarin, and an exclusive premium lounge for the personalised comfort of applicants.

Also launched at the new Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Dubai is the exclusive ‘China in Luxury’ retail offering, which gives an ultra-premium travel experience to aspiring travellers to China. Through a unique arrangement, VFS Global will offer customised tourism experiences that open up a world of exclusivity and one-of-a-kind travel in China.

Speaking at the launch, Lingbing said, "The new Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Dubai will ensure visa applicants enjoy a service with higher quality, faster processing, and more convenience. I believe that the opening of this centre will also be another boost for further uplifting people-to-people exchanges, cultural communication and practical co-operation between China and the UAE."

Also commenting on the launch, Karkaria said, "It is a privilege to launch the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Dubai in partnership with the Government of the People’s Republic of China. With the advancement of trade and tourism ties between the UAE and P.R. China, we are confident this new centre will be effective in meeting the rising demand for Chinese visas for UAE travellers.''