New rules are now in place to simplify the visa application process for Chinese citizens. From today, applicants will no longer need to visit the consular office for their place of residence. They will be able to apply at the Embassy or at the nearest Italian consulate, regardless of their “hukou” (registered residency).
Increasing tourism and business flows to Italy
“This is an important simplification”, explained the Italian Consulate General in Shanghai. “It will pave the way for increased tourism and business flows to Italy and comes in the wake of other measures to speed up the visa issuing process in Italian consulates”. One such measure is the “green channel”, introduced in March 2014. This envisages an exemption from visa interviews in our consulates for all Chinese tourists travelling to Italy with the major tour operators.
