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Flexible visa systems

"The UK already offers one of the most flexible visa systems in China, providing customers with a range of options for faster processing and added convenience. We will continue to make improvements to our service in response to our customers' needs," Hardy says. The UK now has 12 visa application centers across China, more than any other country.

Statistics show that in the first eight months of the year, more than 320,000 visas for UK visits were issued to Chinese tourists, the highest number ever, and a 13 percent increase over the same period the year before.

"The most important thing is to be honest in one's application and to only submit genuine documents. Remember that 96 percent of Chinese that apply for a visa, get one," says Hardy.

According to the European Commission, making access to the Schengen area easier will facilitate visiting friends and relatives and doing business. It will improve economic activity and job creation in the tourism industry and in related activities such as the restaurant and transport sectors.

One of its studies in 2013 shows more flexible and accessible visa rules could lead to an increase in trips to the Schengen area of between 30 and 60 percent.

While biometric data collection for UK visa applications was rolled out in China from October 2007, all Schengen states' consulates in China plan to collect fingerprints and a digital photograph of Schengen visa applicants starting next year, thanks to the implementation of the upcoming Visa Information System.