China Acknowledges Tightening of Visas
By Associated Press | May 7, 2008
BEIJING — China acknowledged for the first time yesterday that it is tightening its visa policies ahead of the Olympics.
"We have made some arrangements according to usual international practice. That is, in the approval process we are more strict and more serious with the procedure," a Foreign Ministry spokesman, Qin Gang, said.
He did not directly link the changes to the August 8-24 Beijing Olympics, but said the policies would "be maintained for a period of time."
Travel agents in Hong Kong, a major gateway to mainland China, reported last month that the government visa office told them multiple-entry business visas would not be available between mid-April and mid-October. In the past, such visas were easily obtainable.
However, Mr. Qin said it was not true all multiple-entry visas had been suspended. He did not give further details.
More rules including additional documentation for business visas and hotel bookings and plane tickets for tourist visas also have been reported.
