Chinese laws require EU citizens between the ages of 14 and 70 who want to apply for a Chinese visa to submit their fingerprints as part of the application. The new regulation came into effect in Germany on Dec. 16, 2019; other EU countries will follow in the first weeks of 2020. Persons under the age of 14 or over 70 as well as diplomats are exempt from the requirement.
All applicants must appear in person to get fingerprints taken at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center. Substitute visa applications are no longer possible.
Requirements for a Chinese visa
- Complete the visa application form.
- Make an appointment in advance on the Visa Application Service Center website and make sure you meet all further requirements, including submitting a color passport photo and an invitation letter.
- Leave your fingerprints.
Fingerprints will be stored electronically for five years; further visa applications should be possible within this period without personal appearance by presenting the biometric visa issued for the first time.
Please ask how BCD Travel can help your travelers with the visa application.
