Visa applicants at an administrative service center in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/hz66.com]

Visa applications have surged exponentially in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province following the nation's optimization of its COVID-19 control measures.

The city had handled 14,418 visa applications from Jan 8 - when China downgraded COVID-19 from a Class A to a Class B disease – to Feb 14, an increase of 721 percent compared to the same period last year, according to local immigration authorities.

A local resident surnamed Ye said that she plans to get married with her boyfriend in May, and the visa application is one of the steps in their preparations for a honeymoon trip overseas.

"I came to apply for the Hong Kong business visa as I plan to meet with new customers in the city," said another applicant surnamed Yang.

Immigration authorities have taken several measures to facilitate visa applications, including opening online reservation channels and establishing special windows to provide services for companies.

Starting from Feb 18, authorities will make visa applications available on Saturdays to deal with the growing demand.