The Chinese Embassy in Kenya will officially launch online visa application services on March 31, 2025. From that date onward, applicants may visit the website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center at https://bio.visaforchina.cn/NBO3_EN/ to enjoy the convenience of online form completion and online submission of application documents when applying for a Chinese visa. For further details, please visit the aforementioned website. For enquiries, please contact the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Nairobi (Tel: +254 790 487 260； Email: nairobicenter@visaforchina.org).

To facilitate the applicants in familiarizing with the new visa application procedures, the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are provided for reference:

Q1: After the system upgrade, where should I go to apply for a visa? What changes have been made to the application process?

A: Visa applicants can visit the website of CVASC in Nairobi to fill out the visa application form online, upload the required documents, and the application will enter the initial review phase. During this period, applicants can log into the website to check the application status and, as required, modify the form or supplement application documents. When the status of the order changes to “Passport to be submitted”, please submit the application in person with passport and documents, provide biometric information (e.g. fingerprints), and pay visa fees in the CVASC in Nairobi. The application will now enter the secondary review stage. Upon approval, the applicant is required to visit the CVASC in Nairobi again to collect the passport and visa.

Q2: Do I need to create an account to apply for a visa online? How do I register?

A: Yes, online applications require creating an account and logging into the system. Currently, registration is only supported through email addresses.

Q3: What changes have been made to the expedited processing service?

A: When filling out the application form online, applicants can still select “Regular” or “Express” processing method. However, this selection does not affect the timeline of the initial review phase. The expedited processing will only accelerate the procedure after the online preliminary review is approved and physical documents have been submitted offline. An additional fee is required for expedited processing, and the request cannot be revoked once submitted. If the consular officer decided to extend the processing time based on a case-by-case review, the expedited service fee will not be refunded.

Q4: Is fingerprint collection still required, and when will it take place?

A: Except for applicants can be exempted from fingerprints collection under specific conditions, fingerprints must be collected when applicants visit the CVASC in Nairobi to submit passport and other documents.

Q5: I submitted an application form in the previous Chinese visa application system before March 31 but have not yet visited the CVASC in Nairobi, do I need to reapply via the upgraded system after March 31?

A: Visa application forms submitted through the original Chinese visa application system before March 28 remain valid. You may submit your documents in person using the existing procedure by 15:00 on March 28. After this time, applicants must reapply online through the new process.

Q6: I have not submitted the application form in the original Chinese Visa Application System. Can I still apply for the visa through the original method starting from March 31?

A: The visa application system will be undergoing an upgrade from 15:00 on March 28 to 08:00 on March 31. Any applications submitted during this period are invalid. After 08:00 on March 31, apply via the new procedure.

Chinese Embassy in Kenya

March 19th, 2025