Locals planning a trip to Australia can now get the documents they need from a new visa application center that opened yesterday at the Jiushi Commercial Building on Sichuan Road.
In the 12 months through today, Australia's immigration officials issued about 650,000 visitor visas to Chinese citizens, an increase of about 20 percent on the previous year, according to Michaelia Cash, the island nation's assistant minister for immigration and border protection.
Cash, who is currently in China on an official visit, said that Australia welcomes more international students from China than any other country and that tourist numbers are soaring.
Australia recently introduced a trial scheme that will allow Chinese to apply for 10-year tourist visas.
These will be available from the new center once the policy is implemented at the end of next year.
The cost of a decadelong visa will be A$1,000 (U.S.$766) and holders will be allowed to stay for up to three months per visit, the Australian government said earlier.
