Due to the rapid growth of application for Chinese visas,the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Edinburgh, following the successful practice in London and Manchester, decided to introduce the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) .
CVASC(Edinburgh) had opened for business since September 2012. CVASC is responsible for receiving visa applications of ordinary-passport holders for visiting the mainland of China and returning processed visas to applicants. The Chinese Consulate General in Edinburgh will stop accepting visa applications of ordinary-passport holders after the opening of the CVASC (Edinburgh).
CVASC (Edinburgh) will be operated by China Bridge Group (UK) LTD.,a company legally registered in the United Kingdom. In accordance with British laws, CVASC will take all measures to protect the safety of applicants' personal information and passports. To ensure CVASC's operation, a service fee will be charged and the rate will be published.
With the opening of the Center, holders of diplomatic, service (official) passport, or applicants qualified for the Chinese diplomatic, courtesy, service visa, or applicants applying for the Hong Kong visa/entry permit or Macao visa may still submit their applications directly to the Chinese Consulate-General without online-appointment.
CVASC has no involvement in the visa assessment and decision-making process. The Chinese Consulate-General reserves the right to approve or reject visa applications, to decide the type of the visa to be issued, the period of validity ,the duration of stay and the number of entry based on China's relevant laws and regulations. The Chinese Consulate-General also reserves the right to request the applicant to provide additional supporting documents or to come to the Consulate-General for an interview.
Contact information of CVASC(Edinburgh):
Address: Exchange Tower, 2nd Floor, 19 Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EH
Tel: 0131-2292519
Fax: 0131-2291598
E-mail: edinburghcentre@visaforchina.org
Website: http://www.visaforchina.org
Office hours: Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Submission of applications: 9:00 am-3:00 pm.
Payment and collection: 9:00 am-4:00 pm
CVASC Service Charges (VAT inclusive):
Besides collecting visa fees and express fees on behalf of the Consulate-general, CVASC also charges service fees (VAT inclusive) of ￡36 per visa for regular application, ￡48 per visa for express application, ￡54(exclusive of postage) per visa for postal application.
Services offered by CVASC:
◇Website containing information related to Chinese visa applications
◇Call center or e-mail reply of frequently asked questions regarding Chinese visa application
◇Online filling in the visa application form
◇Online appointment for application submission
◇Extended office hours for submitting applications and on site queuing system
◇Postal delivery services of submission of applications and return of processed applications
◇Payment in cash or by debit card
Advantages of using CVASC:
◇Completing application form and making appointments online at home
◇Shorter waiting time
◇No need to visit the center if using the full postal service
◇Multiple choice of payment
◇Automated inquiry service or consultant available
◇Comfortable reception hall environment
The application procedures:
at the center(the application would also be accepted without making appointment online )
by post
Further information about opening of CVASC(Edinburgh) will be published on the Chinese Consulate-General website.
