ADS group tourist visa

Webpage

(for travel agencies only)

As from September 1st. 2004 Chinese tourist groups travelling to Schengen states are subject to the

 "Memorandum on Visa for Tourist Groups from the People's Republic of China between the European Union and the China National Tourist Administration and Related Questions (ADS)".

An ADS-Schengen visa allows members of a travel group to travel within the Schengen area according to a pre-set itinerary.

Chinese citizens travelling to Europe in groups according to predefined itineraries can apply for an ADS visa through local Chinese travel agencies.

In order to operate, these agencies must be authorized by "China National Tourism Association" (CNTA), and accredited with the Embassy of any Schengen States.

• ADS group tourist visas are for groups of at least 5 persons plus a tour leader.
• The maximum duration of stay in the Schengen states is limited to 30 days.
• ADS visas are applied for via an ADS-accredited travel agency.
• ADS visas are issued by the country of main destination or, for groups visiting more than one Schengen country without one clear main destination, by the country of first entry.
• ADS-accredited travel agencies have a list of required documents for ADS visa applications.
• Appointments for ADS visa application must be made via this website.
• A designated courier of the travel agency submits the applications to the Embassy or Consulate General.
• The list of ADS accredited Chinese travel agencies can be found via this link.
• The decision whether to grant a visa lies solely in the competence of the Visa Section of the Embassy/Consulate General.
• Passports will be handed back to the travel agency after the Visa Section of the Embassy/Consulate General has decided on the visa.
• The Consulate General has to be notified within 24 hours about any change in itinerary/ number/ name of the persons traveling with the tourist group. If the agency fails to notify the Consulate accordingly, the Consulate General reserves the right to initiate sanctions against the agency.
• Passports, boarding cards and baggage slips have to be presented to the Embassy/Consulate General within 24 hours after return to China.
• The travel agency will be notified how many applicants are asked to come back to the Embassy/Consulate General for interviewing after return to China.
• For more information about travelling to the EU, click here and for basic rules on sanctions in the framework of the ADS MoU, click here.
• For ADS travelagencies only - an overview on the required documents for ADS groupvisa, click here. For chinese click here.

Beijing, 2011
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