Important Information
Appointment-Based System & Processing TimesThe Chinese Embassy requires all visa applicants to submit fingerprints as part of the submission process. VisaCentral will schedule your appointment at a convenient time for you after you have submitted, and we have approved your documents. The processing time quoted is the time taken for the visa to be received after the scheduled appointment. Take this in to consideration when requesting your China visa.
Passports Issued After 1st January 2016Travellers applying with a passport issued after 1st January 2016 must provide the original previous passport. Applicants who cannot provide the previous passport must provide a fully completed and signed statement that can be found here
Travellers holding more than one valid passport must provide the original valid passports. Applicants who cannot provide the second passport must provide a fully completed and signed statement that can be found here along with a copy of their passport identification page
Applicants not providing the original expired or second passport must expect a processing time of up to one month or apply to the consulate in person. VisaCentral is still able to assist with checking your documents, meet the applicant at the embassy, pay the visa fee and collect the passport once the visa has been issued.
Please note that these consular requirements do not apply to UNLP holders.
Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for an China Visa for Swiss Citizens
Fingerprint Submission
If you are aged between 14 and 70, your China visa application will not be considered complete until you have submitted fingerprints at a China Visa Application Service Centre. After we have received all the materials required in support of your visa application we will call you to schedule an appointment to submit fingerprints at a China Visa Application Service Centre located in Bern. Our service includes a standard appointment which is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Passport
The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:
- Be valid for at least six months on date of visa issuance
- Have two blank facing visa pages
Visa Application and Photograph
Complete the enclosed China Application Form. Then send it and the rest of your documents to the VisaCentral office address listed on the submission checklist page of this application pack. VisaCentral will work with the Chinese government to submit your application. After the application has been accepted we will send it to you via encrypted email for your signature.
Upload your photograph at https://visacentral.ch/photo-service. For guidance on how to submit an acceptable photograph refer to the China Photo Guide contained in this Application Pack.Copy of Passport Identification Page
A clear colour photocopy of the information page(s) from the applicant's passport
Letter of Invitation
Applicants requiring a single or double entry visa must supply a letter of invitation from the company to be visited in China. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:
- Be printed on A4 company letterhead paper
- Be addressed to "Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bern, Switzerland"
- Include the full name and address of the inviting company
- Include the fax and phone number of the inviting company
- State the applicant's full name, passport number, date of birth and gender exactly as it appears on their passport
- Include the applicant's passport expiry date
- State the relationship between the applicant and the inviter
- State the applicants source of financial support whilst in China
- Include the date(s) of entry and exit
- Include the length of stay and number of entries required
- Specify the place and purpose of the visit
- Bear the seal/stamp of the inviting company
- Bear the signature of the representative of the inviting company
- Be issued within the last three months
- Not be an email
Or
A letter of invitation from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. This letter must:- Be issued by a duly authorised unit
- Bear the seal and signature of the inviting unit
- Be addressed to "Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bern, Switzerland"
- State the applicants date of birth
- State the visa validity and numbers of entries required
- Be issued within the last three months
- Contain a barcode
VisaCentral recommends travellers to carry their letter of invitation together with their passport and visa as it may be required to present this document on arrival in China.Declaration Form
One fully completed and signed Declaration Form. This form "Consent to the processing and transfer of personal data to a third country" can be found in the VisaCentral Application Pack.
VisaCentral Order Confirmation
For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.
For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed VisaCentral Visa Order Form which can be found in the VisaCentral Application Pack should be submitted.
Please note that all card payments will only be made upon completion of the visa application process.Passports Issued After 1st January 2016
Travellers applying with a passport issued after 1st January 2016 must provide the original previous passport and copy of the passport identification page. Applicants who cannot provide the previous passport must provide a fully completed and signed statement that can be found here.
Travellers holding more than one valid passport must provide the original valid passports and copy of the passport identification page. Applicants who cannot provide the second passport must provide a fully completed and signed statement that can be found here
Multiple Entry Applicants
Travellers applying for a multi entry visa must additionally provide the following:
A letter of invitation from the company to be visited in China. A copy is acceptable. The letter must:
- Be on company letterhead paper
- Contain the name, sex and passport number of the invited person
- Indicate the travel purpose, the place to be visited, and the entry and exit dates
- Confirm that travel expenses will be met, or state who will bear the travel costs
- Bear a legible company stamp and contain the name, telephone number and address of the host company/institution
- Specify the visa validity and requested number of entries required
- Indicate the relationship between the invited person and the inviting company/institution
- Indicate the name of the signatory in block letters (underneath the signature)
- Be no older than three months
- Be addressed to "Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bern, Switzerland"
and
A copy of at least two expired double entry visas or one expired multi entry visaApplicants of Tibetan Origin
Applicants born in Tibet or having any Tibetan parents or grandparents must apply in person at the Embassy
Additional Information
Applicants who have travelled to Turkey or Libya for more than 30 consecutive days may be subject to longer processing times
Important Information
Passports Issued After 1st January 2016Travellers applying with a passport issued after 1st January 2016 must provide the original previous passport. Applicants who cannot provide the previous passport must provide a fully completed and signed statement that can be found here
Travellers holding more than one valid passport must provide the original valid passports. Applicants who cannot provide the second passport must provide a fully completed and signed statement that can be found here along with a copy of their passport identification page
Applicants not providing the original expired or second passport must expect a processing time of up to one month or apply to the consulate in person. VisaCentral is still able to assist with checking your documents, meet the applicant at the embassy, pay the visa fee and collect the passport once the visa has been issued.
Please note that these consular requirements do not apply to UNLP holders.
The Chinese Embassy requires all visa applicants to submit fingerprints as part of the submission process. VisaCentral will schedule your appointment at a convenient time for you after you have submitted, and we have approved your documents. The processing time quoted is the time taken for the visa to be received after the scheduled appointment. Take this in to consideration when requesting your China visa.
Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for an China Visa for Swiss Citizens
Fingerprint Submission
If you are aged between 14 and 70, your China visa application will not be considered complete until you have submitted fingerprints at a China Visa Application Service Centre. After we have received all the materials required in support of your visa application we will call you to schedule an appointment to submit fingerprints at a China Visa Application Service Centre located in Bern. Our service includes a standard appointment which is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Passport
The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:
- Be valid for at least six months on date of visa issuance
- Have two blank facing visa pages
Visa Application and Photograph
Complete the enclosed China Application Form. Then send it and the rest of your documents to the VisaCentral office address listed on the submission checklist page of this application pack. VisaCentral will work with the Chinese government to submit your application. After the application has been accepted we will send it to you via encrypted email for your signature.
Upload your photograph at https://visacentral.ch/photo-service. For guidance on how to submit an acceptable photograph refer to the China Photo Guide contained in this Application Pack.Copy of Passport Identification Page
A clear colour photocopy of the information page(s) from the applicant's passport
Proof of Travel Arrangements
Details of travel arrangements. This must be provided as:
- A copy of the flight confirmation showing onward/return travel
- A copy of the hotel confirmation
Declaration Form
One fully completed and signed Declaration Form. This form "Consent to the processing and transfer of personal data to a third country" can be found in the VisaCentral Application Pack.
VisaCentral Order Confirmation
For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.
For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed VisaCentral Visa Order Form which can be found in the VisaCentral Application Pack should be submitted.
Please note that all card payments will only be made upon completion of the visa application process.Passports Issued After 1st January 2016
Travellers applying with a passport issued after 1st January 2016 must provide the original previous passport and copy of the passport identification page. Applicants who cannot provide the previous passport must provide a fully completed and signed statement that can be found here.
Travellers holding more than one valid passport must provide the original valid passports and copy of the passport identification page. Applicants who cannot provide the second passport must provide a fully completed and signed statement that can be found here
Visiting Family and Friends
Applicants visiting family or friends for a period of up to 180 days must provide the following documents:
An invitation from the inviting person detailing the following:
- The applicant's full name, gender and date of birth
- Purpose of visit
- Arrival and departure dates
- Places to be visited
- Relationship details between the applicant and inviting person
- Source of finance during the trip
- Inviting person's full name, contact number, address and signature
And
Proof of residence of the inviting person. This must be provided as:- A copy of the host's identity card if they are Chinese
- A copy of the host's passport identification page and a copy of their Chinese residence permit if they are of another nationality
Double Entry Applicants
Double entry applicants must provide specific proof of travel arrangments. This must be provided as :
- A copy of flight confirmations showing two onward/return travels
- A copy of two hotel reservations for two distinct stays
Multiple Entry Applicants
Multiple entry applicants must provide specific proof of travel arrangments. This must be provided as :
- A copy of flight confirmations showing at least three onward/return travels
- A copy of at least three hotel reservations for at least three distinct stays
Applicants of Tibetan Origin
Applicants born in Tibet or having any Tibetan parents or grandparents must apply in person at the Embassy
