No restriction on visiting China during Olympics

Officials at the Chinese Consulate in Dubai say it is "business as usual" during the Beijing Olympics, with no change to visa applications.

Consul Lin Jiaxin told Emirates Business there will be no restrictions on businessmen or tourists wishing to visit China during the Games.

More than 180,000 Chinese nationals live and many have been extending their summer leave in their home nation to take in the Olympics.

Normally the visa section is busy from March to April and from September to October but this year staff have been fully occupied for the past two months. A visit visa lasts for 30 days and this can be extended in an emergency by 10 days.

"We are issuing between 80 and 100 visas every day – a higher figure than normal," he said. "There is no special visa for the Olympics and all kind of applicants are approaching the consulate with visa requests. There are no additional restrictions for visitors and all nationalities are welcome in China."

Lin said the number of visas issued to Emiratis was negligible. "Some people in the UAE fear China will be too crowded during the Olympics and this is not the right time for a business visit," he said.

"We are still getting applications for business visas, though more UAE nationals visit China through cultural exchange programmes."

Applicants for business and tourist visas have to submit three months' bank statements, a letter from the individual's company or sponsor and copies of the company's trade licence or the sponsor's passport.

A single entry visa for UAE nationals costs Dh100 and foreign nationals living in the UAE are charged Dh110, with the exception of US nationals who pay Dh370. A double entry visa costs Dh150, Dh165 and Dh370 for these nationalities respectively.

A six-month multiple entry visa costs Dh200 for UAE nationals and Dh165 for expatriates. Visas for accompanying children are free for UAE nationals but cost Dh110 for expatriate youngsters.