From this summer, the UK visas can be got just in 1 day at the soonest. On May 7, the new UK Visa Application Centre (Wuhan) opened in the Han Street of Wuchang District. The Chinese applicants will be the first among the other worldwide ones to enjoy the 24-hour fast UK visa services.

　　UK Visa Application Centre (Wuhan) was established in 2005. Originally, it was located in the Triumph Square of Xudong Street of Wuchang District. According to He Meirui, Area Manager of UK Visa Center and Immigration Office, the new UK center, with 240 square meters, is more than double the size of the original one. The service windows increase from two to five, which will greatly reduce the waiting time for applicants.

　　From this summer, the applicant can get the UK visa in 24 hours after the implementation of the 24-hour visa service. Wei Tinghan, the British Embassy Counselor, said that Britain launched a number of new visa policies last year including 3 to 5 days visa service, VIP door-to-door visa services and passport returning service in order to attract more Chinese to visit and invest in Britain.

　　Last year, Chinese citizens submitted a record number of 380,000 applications for UK visas. The success rate of the applications reached 96%, and seven days on average are needed for each applicant (non-immigrant) to get a visa. At the same year, the number of visa applications received by Wuhan center also hit record high with more than ten thousand, up 43% compared to last year and higher than the national average. Apart from Wuhan, Britain also set up visa centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and other places.

　　Wei Tinghan also said that earlier this year, Britain has been allowed to set up a Consulate General in Hankou District of Wuhan City by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Though the opening day has not been decided yet, British government expect to open it as soon as possible in order to expand the trade, cultural, political communications between Britain and Wuhan. By then, Britain will become the fourth country which sets up the Consulate General in Wuhan City after France, America and Korea.  (Reporters: Jiang Hui, Hu Xian; Correspondent: Hu Wei)