UK offering 24-hour 'super-priority' visas from August for China

The British Home Office has announced a variety of improvements to the visa system in China, including a 24-hour visa service, the expansion of mobile biometrics, and a new service enabling customers to apply for the British and Schengen visas at the same time.

A 24-hour "super-priority" visa service will be available to visitors applying in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou from August 11.

British Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said in Beijing that the price for the service will be 600 pounds.

The Super Priority Service will be open to all business, family and general visitors who have evidence of compliant travel to the UK, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or Schengen countries within the last five years.

Brokenshire also announced that all 12 British visa application centers in China's mainland will provide a VIP mobile British visa service for Chinese applicants. Under this, staff go directly to them to collect their biometric data.

The service has already been successful in Shanghai and Beijing since last year, with customers praising it for its convenience.

Brokenshire is in Beijing to promote the UK's visa service to key tourism and business partners.