Newstrack

Agents upset over stringent Chinese visa norms

Chetan Kapoor - Mumbai

With Beijing Olympics just around the corner, the Chinese Embassy in India has updated visa norms for Indians travellers much to the distress of the travel trade. As per the new norms (as shown on the Chinese Embassy website), original proof of finances including a covering letter from applicant's company or bank statement, confirmed return flight ticket and hotel booking information needs to be submitted for the 'L' (tourist) visa. For the 'F' visa (commercial business) original visa notification letter from relevant Chinese authorities or companies, covering letter from applicant's company or office, confirmed return flight ticket and hotel booking information needs to be submitted.

Jyot Jhaveri, GM of Birla Viking Travels, informed, "The hotels now have to fax their vouchers to the embassy, since our vouchers are no longer valid, along with submitting invitation letters and bank statements showing a balance of Rs 1,20,000 or above for the individual traveller. While the embassy claims that these norms have been introduced because of the Olympics, it could be concerned about the Indian support for Tibet."

Remarks Arvind Tandon, MD of Faraway Places, "Getting a Chinese visa has worsened primarily because they are afraid of illegal immigration during the Olympics. While it is the prerogative of the visa office to ask for any documents, they are also being unreasonable by not issuing double/multiple visas which affect travellers who want to take the cruise one way and then travel by air. Moreover, the immigration department is troubling tourists transiting from Hong Kong to Macau."

Anoop Kanuga, chairman TAAI (Western Region), said, "People are already cancelling their trips and looking at other destinations. The embassy should at least give concessions to people who have travelled to China earlier or those who are frequent travellers. In fact, Jet Airways' flights to Shanghai have already been affected."

To clear certain aspects for the new norms, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy Press Office commented, "The new rules have emerged owing to the upcoming Olympics to ensure the safety of every individual in China. However, it is a temporary move and many technical aspects need to be discussed with the visa office." The visa office and Jet Airways were unavailable for comment at the time of going to print.