UK visas to come faster in advance of Olympics
By Yang Jian |
April 19, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PEOPLE planning to go to the United Kingdom will get their visas quicker as the country is welcoming visitors to the coming Summer Olympics in London.
UK authorities said yesterday as the 100-day countdown to the Games began that the response to visa applications will take about two weeks, compared with more than 20 days previously.
UK consulates in China have increased the number of visa officials and simplified some processes to shorten the application period, said Travis Qian, manager for the China and Hong Kong market of the British Tourism Bureau.
A new channel will be opened for those having Olympic tickets, he added. Applicants need to apply online to the UK Border Agency rather than submit paper applications from this week, which will increase efficiency, UK officials said.
"The Olympic Games that will run between July 27 and August 12 will attract 20 percent more Chinese visitors to the UK compared with that of last year," Qian said.
A total of 200,000 Chinese people went to Britain last year, according to the bureau. Qian said the number of business travelers from China was expected to increase this year because of the Olympics as well as Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June.
Meanwhile, British Airways yesterday began offering discounted fares for flights between Shanghai and London until mid-May. A round-trip economy-class ticket between the two cities will cost 2,600 yuan, while a Beijing-London ticket will cost 3,900 yuan. Passengers can buy the ticket on the airline's website on www.ba.com.
The queen will open the Games on July 27, making London the first city to host the Olympics three times.
UK authorities said yesterday as the 100-day countdown to the Games began that the response to visa applications will take about two weeks, compared with more than 20 days previously.
UK consulates in China have increased the number of visa officials and simplified some processes to shorten the application period, said Travis Qian, manager for the China and Hong Kong market of the British Tourism Bureau.
A new channel will be opened for those having Olympic tickets, he added. Applicants need to apply online to the UK Border Agency rather than submit paper applications from this week, which will increase efficiency, UK officials said.
"The Olympic Games that will run between July 27 and August 12 will attract 20 percent more Chinese visitors to the UK compared with that of last year," Qian said.
A total of 200,000 Chinese people went to Britain last year, according to the bureau. Qian said the number of business travelers from China was expected to increase this year because of the Olympics as well as Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June.
Meanwhile, British Airways yesterday began offering discounted fares for flights between Shanghai and London until mid-May. A round-trip economy-class ticket between the two cities will cost 2,600 yuan, while a Beijing-London ticket will cost 3,900 yuan. Passengers can buy the ticket on the airline's website on www.ba.com.
The queen will open the Games on July 27, making London the first city to host the Olympics three times.
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