Tanzania rolls out urgent measures to streamline visa applications to China

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government has rolled out urgent measures to streamline visa applications to China, following mounting challenges faced by Tanzanian applicants.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation said the move comes after consultations with the Chinese Embassy aimed at speeding up processing and improving efficiency in handling visa requests.

In information released on Wednesday, the ministry directed applicants to strictly follow online application procedures through the COVA system, ensuring all information is accurately filled and supporting documents meet required standards to avoid delays.

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Applicants have also been advised to submit visa requests at least 30 days before their travel dates, noting that the Chinese Embassy currently processes about 150 applications per day. Authorities cautioned that incomplete or incorrect submissions significantly slow down the process.

The ministry further urged applicants to regularly track the status of their applications online to confirm appointment approvals before visiting the embassy for passport submission.

Frequent travelers were encouraged to apply for multiple-entry visas to reduce repeated applications and ease congestion at the embassy.

The government emphasized that while additional measures are being implemented to address the situation, adherence to procedures remains critical for faster processing.

It also called on all stakeholders to respect laws, procedures, and cultural norms of host countries to sustain mutually beneficial bilateral relations.