Press Release

Consolato Generale d Italia,
Shanghai

New Visa Application Center: better access to Italian visas for Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang residents.

25 October 2005


From 4th November, it will be even more convenient to apply for an Italian visa in Shanghai, as the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai will provide better access to Chinese visa applicants residing in Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces through a new Visa Application Center, located in Shanghai :

Italy Visa Application Center
2/F, Guangdong Development Bank Tower,
No.555, Xujiahui Road,
Shanghai 200023, P.R.China
Website - www.italyvac.cn
Email - info@italyvac.cn
Call Center - 16838210

Under the new system, applicants for all categories of Visas from the areas of Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang should no longer queue at the Consulate General premises, but can submit their request for interview to the Italy Visa Application Center, and lodge their application. Many applicants will save long journey times.

The Application Center will courier the application to the Consulate General for subsequent interview and rapid assessment. The vast majority of decisions will be made within very short time. It is therefore vital that applicants' documentation is in good order; it makes it easier for visa officers to issue a visa quickly.

Italian visa policy will not change as a result of the Application Center; the Italian visa system will simply become more accessible across Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Benefits of the new Application Center include :

• informal advice to applicants when they submit their form
• straightforward receipt of applications
• facility to be granted an interview
• applications couriered quickly to the Consulate General
• facility to check progress of an application online
• efficient return of processed applications to applicants, protecting their confidentiality and privacy
• many applicants will no longer need to queue for long hours and / or pay travel or accommodation costs l extended opening hours
• reduced waiting time.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. In addition to the visa fee, the Application Center service provider will levy a charge of around 180 RMB for the visa administration services.
2. All visa applications will be assessed by Italian visa officers in the Consulate General. There will be no change to the criteria for issuing or refusing a visa, which are laid down by the Schenghen and Italian regulations.
3. Advice on applications and visa forms can be found as of 4th November on the Italian Visa Application Center website: www.italyvac.cn

For further information, please contact:

Consulate-General of Italy in Shanghai
Tel.:( 86 21 ) 54075588
Fax : ( 86 21 ) 64716977
Email:info@conitsha.org.cn
Website: www.conitsha.org.cn

For more information on Italy Visa, please visit
www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp & www.esteri.it/eng/index.asp