China Overseas Chinese Network, January 8th, title: Simplified process, fast payment... Embassies and consulates abroad have done these things to facilitate overseas compatriots
The continuous spread of the new crown pneumonia epidemic has brought many obstacles to overseas Chinese citizens in handling various consular services.
Data map: Chinese passport
Recently, in order to reduce the risk of cross-infection and meet the public's need for documents, various embassies and consulates abroad have launched a series of measures in terms of appointment application, material submission and payment methods, so that Chinese citizens can handle business overseas. More time-saving and convenient.
"Do not meet"
Some embassies and consulates abroad have expanded the scope of online appointments and adopted the "no-face" method to apply for passports for Chinese citizens.
In view of the severe situation of the current epidemic, the consular document hall of the Chinese Embassy in the United States is still temporarily suspended.
Starting from January 4, 2021, the embassy in the United States will implement online visa application form. All visa applicants (excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region visa applicants) can complete the online visa application form.
Screenshot: Chinese visa online form webpage
Starting from January 1, 2021, the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic will begin to adopt the “no-face” approach to apply for passports for Chinese citizens in Czech Republic.
Prior to this, the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic has tried to use the “no-face” approach to facilitate the certification business for applicants with urgent and special needs.
In order to further improve the efficiency of visa application and shorten the waiting time after appointment, the Chinese Consulate General in Barcelona, Spain simplified the procedures. For those who are over 16 years old who apply for passport renewal at the Consulate General in Barcelona (the appointment number starts with ESPB), the trial is cancelled. In the mail pre-review process, the clerk only needs to perform online appointment (preparation of materials), mail pre-review (video on demand), mailing materials, and returning passports.
Previously, the Consulate General in Barcelona had opened a green channel for passport application and introduced the "no-face" method to apply for passports for Chinese citizens.
According to statistics, more than 200 embassies and consulates abroad have opened the "Online Appointment for Passport Application" system (https://ppt.mfa.gov.cn). Applicants only need to fill in the personal information truthfully, completely and in detail through this system. Information, you can make an appointment.
Screenshot: Online reservation system for overseas passport application
In addition to the "online appointment" method, applicants can also make an appointment via email.
Starting from December 29, 2020, the Chinese Consulate-General in Durban, South Africa will fully implement the new “no-face” way of applying for a permit. Applicants can send an email to make an appointment, and explain the reason for the application in the main text and provide the applicant's WeChat account. And a scanned copy of the passport data page.
The Chinese Embassy in Panama also launched a "no-face" passport/travel permit service on December 7, 2020.
The applicant scans the required materials and sends it to the designated account via email.
"Two-way mailing"
In order to ensure the health and safety of the public, on the basis of "no meeting", many embassies and consulates abroad have introduced "one-way mail" or "two-way mail" methods to receive application materials.
Prior to this, the French and Italian embassies launched the "one-way mail" service for passports, which received the active cooperation of the consular districts.
Data map: On October 22, local time, in Milan, Italy, a man rode past a Gothic cathedral.
In December 2020, in order to expand the scale of use and alleviate the difficulties of Chinese citizens travelling to Italy during the epidemic period in applying for passports and travel permits, the Chinese Embassy in Italy optimized the application process based on the implementation of the "one-way mail" approach. Started the trial of "two-way mailing" to apply for certificates.
Applicants can prepare application materials according to the “one-way mailing” notification requirements, and add a new return mailing cover, the original old passport, and send it together with the printed WeChat contact information (WeChat ID, QR code, etc.) To the embassy.
At present, there are also embassies and consulates in Spain, Malaysia, Australia, Qatar, etc., implementing the "two-way mailing" method of passport/travel documents, so that applicants can do things without running once.
Screenshot: Website of the Chinese Embassy in Spain
However, "two-way mailing" takes a long time. In order to improve the efficiency of passport processing and shorten the waiting time, the Chinese Consulate in Milan intends to further simplify the "two-way mailing" procedure.
First, the applicant does not have to wait for the passport to be prepared before paying the fee.
When applying for a passport, you can pay the fee by transfer first. After the payment is successful, print the transfer voucher, write "I bear the risk of loss of the certificate by mail" on the back of it, and put it in the mail envelope together with other application materials and send it to the general All procedures are completed by mail and online.
Second, expand the scope of appointments.
Newborns are still unrestricted.
Other humanitarian emergencies such as funerals and medical treatment can be handled by appointment through the green channel.
"Payment simplified"
In order to further facilitate applicants, various embassies and consulates abroad have adjusted the way of applying for passports and travel certificates by mail.
Starting from January 1, 2021, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand will accept payment of certificate processing fees through online bank transfer (online bank transfer).
After receiving the payment notification, the applicant can pay through online bank transfer.
If the applicant goes to the visa hall to pick up the document by himself, the payment method will remain unchanged, and the payment will still be made by credit card, bank cash card, WeChat and Alipay.
In December 2020, the Chinese Embassy in Belgium allowed applicants to scan the QR code to pay via Alipay or WeChat. Applicants must fill in their name in Chinese in the remarks column.
Screenshot: payment page
The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom will also adjust the fees for applying for passports and travel documents by post from January 11, 2021.
Applicants who make an appointment to mail their passports and travel permits on or after January 11, 2021 must pay the application fees by bank transfer.
The epidemic has brought a lot of inconvenience to everyone's life. More and more embassies and consulates abroad have begun to simplify service procedures and reduce the number of certification procedures, which greatly improves the efficiency of work and solves practical difficulties for overseas Chinese citizens.
(Reference: Chinese Embassy, Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, the Chinese Consulate General in Milan, Author: Yu Qi; ID: qiaowangzhongguo)