EU visa agreement good for Dutch trade with China

In its capacity as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Netherlands today signed an agreement to open more visa desks in China. Applicants will soon be able to request Dutch and other EU visas in more cities. Every Schengen country will be allowed 15 visa locations in China. The Netherlands has been a strong advocate for establishing the agreement.

Economic importance to the EU

Increasing the number of visa desks is of direct economic importance to the Netherlands and the other EU member states. The growth of the Chinese economy offers many business opportunities. Imports from China were worth €53.9 billion in 2015 and exports from the Netherlands €8 billion. More Chinese tourists are also visiting the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. With a visible presence in more Chinese cities, the Netherlands will be better positioned to benefit from these economic opportunities.

Schengen visas

Applications for a Schengen visa must always be made in person because fingerprints and other biometric data are required. Under Chinese law, they can be made only in cities with a Dutch mission. As the Netherlands currently has embassies and consulates only in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, many Chinese entrepreneurs and tourists face long journeys.

Eleven more visa desks

In addition to the current four locations, the Netherlands will open a further 11 visa desks in areas where many Dutch companies are active. The first will open soon in Chengdu. Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Fuzhou will follow before the summer, and then Nanjing, Jinan and Shenyang before the end of the year. Finally, desks will be opened in Changsha, Kunming, Wuhan and Xian.

Increase in visa applications

Many visas are already issued in China. Applications were made for 58,636 Schengen visas in 2015 and the number is expected to increase when more desks are opened.

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