KARACHI: Chinese envoys in Pakistan handed over their visa operations to Gerrys on trial basis w.e.f. May 6, 2019. Now applicants of Chinese visas will have to submit their applications through the Gerrys Visa Center, but it has been observed and experienced that Gerrys is not capable of managing this Chinese visa system properly while they are charging heavy service charges non-refundable from Rs 6,400 to 9,500 from the Pakistani applicants while visa charges are free of cost on all types of visas.
Due to non-professional attitude and lack-luster services being rendered by Gerrys, relations between Pakistan and China can be affected.
According to detail, an applicant from Balochistan following the instructions of Chinese Consulate Karachi, as per policy applied on-line Chinese visa through the website www.visaforchina.org being operated through Gerrys, on September 29, 2019 and took appointment to submit documents for October 8, 2019 at 10 to 11 a.m. through representative as the applicant had no need to biometric verification because the applicant had already visited China twice – in the last month in September 2019 and in October 2018 – on the invitation from Chinese authorities from Beijing and applicant’s expenses like boarding, lodging and traveling were covered by the Chinese government.
Now this applicant again got fully sponsored invitation to attend a Forum at Beijing China in October 2019, it was clearly mentioned in the invitation that all expenses will be covered by the Forum. The applicant applied for visa and get appointment at Gerrys Karachi to submit documents through the representative.
When the person visited Gerrys office at 9:45 a.m. in Bahria Complex IV Karachi there was a huge line on the counter outside the office; they checked documents and allowed the applicant to submit the document inside and took cell phone by issuing a token, but inside various counters were in operation and it looked like a fish market and there was much confusion and lack of instructions and guidance which should be placed at least in the offices. At last when enquired they asked to take a token for submitting the document again but at the submitting window this time. They asked to get the documents checked from another counter of Gerrys again.
After around half an hour on his turn when the documents were counter checked, they advised to attach various documents and handed over a very illegibly hand-written photo copy of about the required documents which was very difficult to read. It was out of expectation from a renowned company like Gerrys not having given at least computerized or typed note of information to the applicants. They demanded various minor things like, Application form, photo copies of CNIC, Passport and last visa, Bank statement, airline ticket and few things which were not readable and understandable. They asked to come again with the required documents.
Few days back, the Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing while addressing a gathering at a local hotel, a question about the visa problems and visa charges was raised by a person. Replying the question, Yao Jing made it clear that there is no visa fee from China for Pakistanis but even any deserving person cannot afford that charges he may contact the Chinese consulates.
But Gerry on the contrary is charging too much services fee and providing pathetic and unprofessional services. Don’t know why and what is the arrangement between Chinese Envoys and Gerrys officials, if the services were provided on trial basis then this arrangement should be stopped forthwith or should be reviewed at least to give it better and acceptable shape.