1.   1.   Preparing visa application documents

Visa application documents consist of basic documents and other supporting documents.

2. 2.   Fill in the online application form. Upload the visa application documents.

Please choose the correct Chinese Visa Application Service Center (in the following text referred to as Visa Center) on the website www.visaforchina.cn where the application shall be submitted. Register on the website and log in. Fill in the application form online, upload the visa application documents and confirm your application. Wait for a result  of the pre-check of your application. All applicants (excluding applicants for  Hong Kong and Macao Visa) have to fill in the application form online and upload the visa application documents.


Please note:

- After submitting your application form online you might receive a message from either the Chinese Embassy or the Visa Center stating you have to send additional documents. Inquire online in time about your current application status via „Status“. If the application status shows „online review completed“ print the first and last pages of the application form and sign the first and last pages.

- Video interview (if required)
Some applicants might have to introduce themselves via video interview. Please schedule an appointment on the Visa Center’s website for the video interview.

3.  3.  Submitting the visa application documents and paying the fee at the Visa Center

1)    If your application status shows „online review completed“ and you have received a confirmation email, you can submit the application documents together with the printed „Visa Application Certificate“ from Monday to Friday between 09:00 – 12:00 at the Visa Center.

2)    The following documents have to be submitted at the Visa Center:

- Original passport
- printed first and last pages of the application form with signature on the first and last pages
- a photo
- additional  documents if required

3)    Fingerprints will be collected from the applicants. Following groups are exempt from fingerprint collection:

(1)  Until 31 December 2026, all applicants for short-term visas with a stay of up to 180 days (including multiple-entry visas), as well as applicants for Z visas with a stay of up to 30 days, are exempt from fingerprint collection. For visa applicants who are required to apply for a residence permit after entry (Z, Q1, S1, X1, and J1 visas), fingerprints will still be collected in accordance with relevant regulations;

(2)   Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70; 

(3)   Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past five years at the Visa Service Center in Berlin with the same passport;

(4)   Applicants who suffer from 10 fingers mutilation or whose fingerprints cannot be collected.

Faking fingerprints or fraud via using other fingerprints results in denial of entry to China. The applicant shall bear all consequences.

4)    The total fee has to be paid on submitting the documents at the Visa Center. The total fee consists of visa and service fees.

4.  Passport Collection

 The passport has to be collected during the opening hours at the Visa Center with the original pick-up form. Should you wish to have the           passport returned to you by post, please speak with the counter staff.