China extends fingerprint exemption for Kenyans seeking short term visas

The exemption according to the Chinese embassy will run until December 2025.

In Summary
  • The move excludes the collection of fingerprints for anyone visiting China for not more than 6 months.
  • This will apply to both single and multiple-entry visa applicants.
Chinese ambassador Zhou Pingjian speaking during the celebration of the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army at the Chinese embassy, Nairobi on July 25, 2024
Chinese ambassador Zhou Pingjian speaking during the celebration of the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army at the Chinese embassy, Nairobi on July 25, 2024
Image: FILE

The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi has extended the fingerprint collection exemption for Kenyans seeking short-term visas to the Asian country.

The exemption according to the Chinese embassy will run until December 2025.

The move excludes the collection of fingerprints for anyone visiting China for not more than 6 months.

This will apply to both single and multiple-entry visa applicants.

"From September 2, 2024, to December 31, 2025, the Embassy of China in Kenya exempts all applicants who apply for single or double-entry short-term visas (stay in China for no more than 180 days) from fingerprints collection," the Embassy said in a communique.

Some beneficiaries are people travelling for business, tourist, family visits, transit, or crew visas.

The program was last extended in December last year.

The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi offers five kinds of visas to Kenyan nationals including Single entry valid for three months, Double entry valid for six months, a Multi entry valid for six months and a Multi entry valid for 12 months, and Group L visas.

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