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As preparations for the Beijing Olympics gather pace, Hogg Robinson Group (HRG), the international corporate travel services company, is alerting business travellers to changes in visa regulations and urging clients to prepare travel plans well in advance.
To date, business travellers to China have enjoyed relaxed visa regulations. However, as the Olympics approach, Chinese authorities have significantly tightened visa controls in a bid to manage heightened security concerns that relate to hosting such a major international sporting event and the inherent explosion in visitor numbers. These recent changes apply only to travellers to mainland China and Hong Kong continues to be exempt.
HRG’s James Stevenson, Executive Vice President, AsPac, comments: “Under new regulations, all travellers going to mainland China are now required to provide proof of flight and hotel booking prior to their visa application. Companies must now also obtain an official invitation from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on behalf of employees ahead of visa applications being made and explicitly request a multiple entry business visa if required. Without this specification the maximum regular travellers to China can secure is a double entry visa and both trips must be completed within three months.”
These latest requirements follow the outsourcing of all visa applications by the Chinese Embassy last month to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC), which has been established to help process the increased number of visa requests.
“The introduction of the CVASC adds an additional step to the application process and increases the cost of obtaining a visa, which differs country by country. For example, regular applications in the UK increase by £30 +VAT and express services by £40 +VAT. The move to a third party operator is a growing trend amongst embassies, with India introducing the process earlier this year, and Russia set to announce changes in the coming months,” comments James.
He concludes: “This does require a shift in behaviour. However, it highlights more than ever the benefits that corporate travel service companies such as HRG can offer business travellers. As experts in the market, with local representatives on the ground, we are able to take the complexities out of such changes to travel rules and regulations, minimising disruption to client operations.”
New visa restrictions are temporary and are expected to be revised in the autumn. All information available to HRG indicates that they are likely to return to previous relaxed levels.
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For additional comment as these issues develop please contact:
Dionne Parker
Head of Corporate Communications
Hogg Robinson Group
Tel: + 44 (0) 1256 312 624
Email: dionne.parker@hrgworldwide.com
Leah Phelps / James Gilheany
Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster
Tel: +44 (0) 207 467 9200
Email: blhrg@bisslancaster.com
Notes to Editors:
Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) is the award-winning international corporate travel services company. Founded in 1845 by a wine merchant and an insurance broker, HRG has over 60 years specific corporate travel expertise. Its corporate services interests include owned or controlled corporate travel operations in 25 of the key driver and growth markets throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Supported by contracted partners, the HRG worldwide network extends to over 100 countries.
Totally committed to a value offering for clients, HRG offers a comprehensive range of corporate travel services including Corporate Travel Management, Consulting, Events & Meetings Management and Sports as well as Expense Management through its Spendvision operation.