The Chinese Embassy has announced that Kenyan visa applicants will now apply without making appointments in a move to ease the process for local travelers to the East Asian economic powerhouse.
In a statement, the embassy informed Kenyans seeking a Chinese visa to submit their applications directly to the Visa Application Service Centre in Nairobi.
All applications should be done during working hours. The new directive will take effect from November 20.
Most Kenyans travel to China for business while some move for studies as the second-largest economy asserts its dominance on the continent.
"In order to further facilitate the exchange of China and Kenya, the Chinese Embassy in Kenya will completely cancel visa appointments from November 20, 2023," read part of the statement.
The Embassy, however, noted that the processing time and fees will remain unchanged.
Kenyans have complained in the past over punitive visa requirements that make traveling expensive due to high fees, delays, and a lot of requirements that force applicants to dig deeper into their pockets.
Applicants will be required to fill up the form online through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Nairobi website visaforchina.cn/NBO2_EN/.
After filling out the forms, download and print the form and submit it with other materials at the time of application.
The embassy advised the applicants to avoid peak hours when submitting the application to avoid overcrowding and delays.
According to the embassy, applicants who have already completed online appointments will be given priority.
"Applicants who have already completed online appointments will be given priority for submitting their documents within the corresponding time slot at the appointment date by presenting the confirmation page upon arrival," read part of the statement.