By Ingrid Kwok
Singapore Visa application for independent China travellers visiting Singapore is now easier following a six-month trial programme launched in July 2003, whereby applications could be submitted through three appointed China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) authorised travel agents.
The number of CNTA authorised travel agents has been increased from the initial three during the trial, to 43. Agents have 322 branches located in major cities across China.
The new Social Visa scheme allows PRC visitors to be issued with five-week, multiple-journey visas, instead of the previous three weeks. Visa holders may also be granted a longer stay of up to 30 days upon arrival, instead of the previous 14 days.
The World Tourism Organisation estimates that by 2010, outbound tourist traffic from China will reach a high of 50 million.
Singapore visa ease for China travellers
Visa application for independent China travellers visiting Singapore is now easier following a six-month trial programme launched in July 2003, whereby applications could be submitted through three appointed China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) authorised travel agents.