Important Information

Business Travel Requirements for an China Visa for Swiss Citizens

1. Visa May Not Be Required

   The Government of China has implemented a temporary visa-free regime until December 31st, 2025. During this period no visa is required for a maximum stay of up to 15 days.
   
   Please keep in mind that even if staying less than 15 days, you must:

   • Hold a passport valid at least six months on entry with one blank visa page
   • Hold proof of sufficient funds
   • Hold proof of onward/return airline tickets
   • Hold all documents required for the next destination
   • Confirm with their airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa as these conditions are subject to change

   
   For stays of longer than 15 days, a visa is required.

2. 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
   • Be free of souvenir or attraction stamps and contain only entry/exit stamps from an official border

3. 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.

4. Copy of Passport Identification Page

   A clear colour photocopy of the information page(s) from the applicant's passport

5. 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 "Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Zurich, 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 "Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Zurich, 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.

6. 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.

7. 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. 

8. Passports Issued After 1st January 2019

   Travellers applying with a passport issued after 1st January 2019 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

9. Multiple Entry Applicants

   Travellers applying for a multi entry visa must additionally provide the following:

   An original letter of invitation from the company to be visited in China. 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 the Chinese Consulate in Zurich "Generalkonsulat der Volksrepublik China, Mythenquai 161, 8002 Zurich"

   and

   
   A copy of at least two expired double entry visas or one expired multi entry visa

10. Applicants of Tibetan Origin

    Applicants born in Tibet or having any Tibetan parents or grandparents must apply in person at the Embassy

11. Applicants born in or travelled to Pakistan

    Applicants who were born in Pakistan and who have travelled to Pakistan must provide an original personal letter. This letter should state the detailed reasons for travel to Pakistan and specify the exact date(s) of entry, exit, and duration of the stay(s). A photocopy of all Pakistan entry and exit stamps must be submitted together with the application.

    
    
    For Pakistan passport holders, a clear photocopy (front and back) of Pakistan ID card must additionally be provided. If you are unable to provide the Pakistan ID card, the reason must be provided in the personal letter.

12. Applicants born in or travelled to Turkey

    Applicants who were born in Turkey or who have travelled to Turkey must provide an original personal letter. This letter should state the detailed reasons for travel to Turkey and specify the exact date(s) of entry, exit, and duration of the stay(s). Additionally, a photo copy of the Turkey visa (if applicable) and all entry and exit stamps must be provided.

13. Applicants who have travelled to Taiwan

    Applicants who have travelled to Taiwan must provide an original personal letter. This letter should state the detailed reasons for travel to Taiwan and specify the exact date(s) of entry, exit, and duration of the stay(s). Applicants who have travelled to Taiwan might be subject to longer processing times.

14. Additional Information

    Applicants who have travelled to Turkey or Libya for more than 30 consecutive days may be subject to longer processing times.Applicants who have travelled to Taiwan might be subject to longer processing times.

    The applicant's actual passport. The passport must: