What does the visa area mean?

In the process of visa processing, there is a very important step, which is to choose where to submit visa information.

The submission of visa information is inseparable from the division of visa areas in this country, so what is a visa area? How is the visa area divided? How should I choose the place to submit the information?

What is the visa area?

The division of visa areas should start with the function of the embassy. All countries that have formal diplomatic relations with China will set up embassies in the capital. The embassy has a series of diplomatic functions, one of which is issuing visas.

However, China has a vast territory and a large population. It is obviously unrealistic for an embassy to manage all visa applicants in China, so the embassy has set up consulates in cities all over the country. Consulates do not have as many diplomatic functions as embassies. Its main function is to accept visa applications and protect local expatriates.

Any area managed by an embassy or consulate is a so-called visa area, and the city where the embassy or consulate is located is the name of this visa area. For example, the embassy is in Beijing, the jurisdiction area is Beijing, the consulate is in Shanghai, and the jurisdiction area is Shanghai.

What is the relationship between the visa area and the visa center?

The relationship between visa area and visa center is also a confusing problem in our daily visa processing. Because China's territory is too large and its population is too large, even if some countries set up consulates in various places, they can't finish processing the visa applications of applicants.

At this time, the consulate will continue to set up visa centers in the areas under its jurisdiction to further subdivide the visa areas. Strictly speaking, the visa center is not an official institution. Only responsible for helping the embassy collect the applicant's materials and then send them to the embassy, not responsible for the visa results.

Some countries need to collect the biological information of applicants when they apply for visas, so visa centers will also undertake this part of the work. In addition, the visa center also has the right to provide services including translation, express delivery and SMS reminder.

How to choose the territory for submitting materials?

Each country has different regulations on how applicants choose visa areas to submit materials, but in summary, there are only the following situations:

1. Apply in strict accordance with the place where the passport is issued.

A few countries require applicants to submit materials in strict accordance with the consular district where passports are issued. For example, applicants whose passports are issued in Shanghai need to return to Shanghai to submit materials even if they live in Beijing for a long time.

On behalf of countries: Singapore, Israel

2. Apply nearby according to the place of permanent residence.

Most countries adopt this rule. For example, although you have a passport issued by Guangzhou and were born in Chengdu, you have lived in Beijing for a long time and you belong to Beijing.

Representative countries: Britain, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Australia, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Hungary and Ireland.

3. Apply for permanent residence, but you must have a residence permit.

Although some countries can apply according to the place of permanent residence, if the place of permanent residence is not the place of household registration, they need a residence permit in this regard.

Representative countries: Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Greece, South Africa, Sweden, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Finland, Japan, South Korea, India, Brazil and Mexico.

4. National recognition

Applicants can choose the nearest visa center or embassy or consulate to submit materials, that is, they do not need to apply according to their permanent residence or domicile.

Representative countries: Russia, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Turkey and Sri Lanka.

5. Apply at other visa centers.

In some countries with a small number of applicants, there may be fewer visa centers. At this time, the applicant can submit it to the nearest visa center or the embassy or consulate of other countries.

Representative country: Iceland (collected by Danish visa center)

Countries and regions with special provisions

Belgium

1) Submit applications at visa centers in Jinan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. If you don't have a residence permit, you can also use an employment certificate instead.

2) Hangzhou Visa Center only accepts applicants with registered permanent residence in Shanghai.

3) Chongqing Visa Center can use social security certificate instead of residence permit.

Denmark

1) Jinan Visa Center allows social security certificates, tax payment certificates and employment certificates to replace residence permits.

2) Guangzhou Visa Center is allowed to provide labor contract, certificate of public security bureau and employment certificate, but not residence permit.

Spain

1) The Beijing Visa Center can write an email explaining the reasons for the application, so that materials can be submitted even without a residence permit.

2) Submit materials with a residence permit in Guangzhou for at least 6 months.

3) Shenyang Visa Center only accepts applicants with registered permanent residence in Beijing.

4) Jinan Visa Center allows the residence certificate issued by the Public Security Bureau to replace the residence permit.

Greece

1) In addition to the residence permit, the Shenyang Visa Center also needs a certificate of employment for more than six months.

2) Submit in Chongqing and Chengdu Visa Center. If you don't have a residence permit, you can use a social security certificate instead.

Norway

1) When the Beijing Visa Center submits the materials, if it does not have a residence permit, it can write a letter explaining the reasons, but there is still the risk of being rejected.

2) Guangzhou Visa Center also accepts applicants whose passports or ID cards are issued in Guangzhou. If neither of them belongs, you must provide a residence permit.

Austria

In addition to the residence permit, the Shenyang Visa Center must have an on-the-job certificate for more than six months.

Poland

Beijing Visa Center allows the residence certificate issued by the police station to replace the residence permit.

Czech(people)

When the Beijing Visa Center submits materials, if the number of applicants exceeds 5, it is necessary to make an appointment with the Visa Center in advance.

Finland

1) Jinan visa center allows social security, tax payment certificate and employment certificate to replace residence permit.

2) Hangzhou Visa Center can use social security or labor contract instead of residence permit.

India

1) When submitting materials in Guangzhou, both residence permit and employment certificate should be provided.

Taiwan, China

Only the following cities can apply for entry permits:

Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Jinan, Xi 'an, Fuzhou, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Suzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shijiazhuang, Changchun, Hefei, Changsha, Nanning, Kunming, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Taiyuan, Guiyang, Yantai, Harbin and Zhongshan.

Brazil

Reservations are required for Beijing Visa Center 10 or above, and for Shanghai Visa Center with more than 5 people. If you need to take it, you need a power of attorney signed by the applicant.

Iceland

Only Shanghai and Beijing have visa centers in Iceland, while Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Fuzhou and Shenzhen are accepted by the Danish Visa Center.

the Philippines

Beijing consular district only accepts applicants whose passports are issued in Beijing consular district, Shanghai consular district can accept applicants whose permanent residence is Shanghai consular district, and Guangzhou consular district can receive information of any applicant.