European countries compete for Chinese travelers

According to the European Commission, making access to the Schengen area easier will bring more friends, relatives and business from China. [Photo Povided to China Daily]

Some European countries such as the United Kingdom and France have shortened and simplified their visa application procedures for Chinese applicants this year, aiming to lure more Chinese travelers.

"We have seen demand for UK visas continue to grow since 2010, and China is now the UK's largest visa market," says Dominique Hardy, (interim) regional director - Asia-Pacific, visas and immigration service, home office, at the British Embassy in Beijing.

This year, the UK has launched the British-Irish Visa scheme, which allows Chinese visitors to Ireland to use their valid Irish short-stay visa for onward entry to the UK, or their UK visitor visa for travel to Ireland.

It also introduced the 24 hour Super Priority Visa service to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and aligned UK visa application form with the Schengen form.