China

As a result of the introduction of biometric visas, for which fingerprints are now required, each applicant must appear in person at the visa center as of 12.01.2021. The submission of fingerprints are valid for 5 years, provided that with the same passport on the same visa center is applied. Thus, AVS can fully recover the subsequent visa applications (within the 5 years). Appointments at the Visa Center are from Monday to Friday in the morning. There are no appointments possible in the afternoon.

At the time of application, AVS can meet the applicants at the Visa Center so that only the fingerprints must be submitted by the applicants - we can continue to carry out the rest of the process (see Guideline).

This regulation is according to the representation of China temporary and valid until 31.12.2024:

Until 31.12.2024, business and tourist visa with one or two entries can be applied through us in representation. This means that you can send us the following documents listed per visa type by mail and the applicant does not have to appear in person to submit fingerprints at the visa center of China in Zurich or Bern.

Multiple entry visas, work visas and other categories still require fingerprinting at a Chinese visa center. We will be happy to book your appointment for you.

Notice on visa exemption for certain nationalities and under certain conditions:

Travelers with passports from Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia can travel visa-free to China from 01.12.2023 until 30.11.2024 for a tourist or business stay of maximum 15 days (incl. entry and exit day).

Travelers with a passport from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg can travel to China visa-free for a tourist or business stay of a maximum of 15 days (including entry and exit days) from March 14, 2024 - November 30, 2024

Please note following details:

• According to the authorities, an invitation and/or other as yet unknown documents must be presented and entry forms completed each time you enter the country. This can delay entry considerably.
• In the event of discrepancies, e.g. in the invitation letter, entry may be refused and the traveler sent back.
• The 15 days cannot be extended under any circumstances. If the stay has to be extended unexpectedly, the traveler must leave and re-enter the country.

The above-mentioned points and other unforeseen and as yet unknown requirements or obstacles to entry can be circumvented with a visa.

Feedback from a large corporation whose traveler wanted to benefit from the visa exemption…

“I revert to you with a request for a Chinese visa, even though it is not required in this case, because one of our colleagues (German citizen) seemed to have faced some issue over there. Therefore, I would rather secure the trip and avoid as much as possible any administrative trouble.”

With a valid visa, you can continue to travel to China without delays when entering the country. It is therefore recommended that you make the effort to obtain a visa in order to save yourself the hassle of having to go through a lot of hassle every time you enter the country.

Visa type M / trade

1 Application form - Sample application
Duly completed and signed in original on the first and last page.

For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)

Important Application Form Instructions: 

• When filling out the form on the authority’s website, you must choose IN ANY CASE to submit the application in person = answer is NO. Shipping by post is not possible. To return the passport, choose "by Visiting the Visacenter".
• The form must not be older than 30 days when submitted to the Visa Center, otherwise it will become invalid and a new application form will need to be created.
• The application form must not be printed on two sides. 
• The names of the parents must also be recorded if they are already deceased.

Original passport
Valid for more than 6 months after the date of return
For persons who have another nationality besides the Swiss nationality, it is mandatory to use the Swiss passport for the visa application.

Copy of the passport details page
A copy of the passport pages with the personal data

Previous passport or additional form
If the passport has been issued on January 1, 2019 or later, additionally the
original, previous passport. If the previous passport is not available, a statement
signed in the original (download for Bern) or (download for Zurich), must be enclosed with the documents.

2 passport photos
Biometric and in colour (see photo criteria)

The photo must meet the requirements. The visa center will reject applicants without a correct photo.
Color frontal view of face, no glasses, no hat, light background.

Invitation letter
Letter of invitation on company paper, stamped and signed. The letter must bear the date and address of the issuing company. The letter must specify:

• Data from the invited person
• Relationship between the applicant and the inviting company
• Traveldates
• Reason for the trip
• Addressing

1. Application via Zurich to the Consulate General of China, Seestrasse 161, 8002 Zurich
2. Application via Bern to the Embassy of China, Kalcheggweg 10, 3006 Bern

If you are an applicant who has not had a visa for China in recent years, you can obtain a single entry visa with 90 days validity and 30 days stay. Those who can show a previous single entry visa (M-Type / from 2015) will receive a double entry visa. For a multiple entry visa, proof of a previous double entry or multiple entry visa and an invitation from China with a request for an annual visa is required.

Former visa and/or residence permit for China
Copy of the last visa and/or residence permit for China. If the visa is in a different passport than the one you are using for the visa application, a copy of the personal details page from the other passport is also required.

Residence permit
If necessary, a copy of the applicant´s residence permit valid for Switzerland or Liechtenstein. The residence permit must be issued to the same nationality as the passport used to apply for the visa.

Visa type L

1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)

Important Application Form Instructions: 

• When filling out the form on the authority’s website, you must choose to submit the application in person. Shipping by post is not possible. To return the passport, choose "by Visiting the Visacenter".
• The form must not be older than 30 days when submitted to the Visa Center, otherwise it will become invalid and a new application form will need to be created.
• The application form must not be printed on two sides. 
• The names of the parents must also be recorded if they are already deceased.

Original passport
Valid for more than 6 months after the date of return

Copy of the passport details page
A copy of the passport pages with the personal data

Previous passport or additional form
If the passport has been issued on January 1, 2019 or later, additionally the
original, previous passport. If the previous passport is not available, a statement
signed in the original (download for Bern) or (download for Zurich), must be enclosed with the documents.

2 passport photos
Biometric and in colour (see photo criteria)

The photo must meet the requirements. The visa center will reject applicants without a correct photo.
Color frontal view of face, no glasses, no hat, light background.

Travel confirmation

• Copy of flight confirmation for entry and departure
• Copy of the hotel confirmation

or

• Official tourist invitation

Former visa and/or residence permit for China
Copy of the last visa and/or residence permit for China

Residence permit
If necessary, a copy of the applicant´s residence permit valid for Switzerland or Liechtenstein. The residence permit must be issued to the same nationality as the passport used to apply for the visa.

1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)

Important Application Form Instructions: 

• When filling out the form on the authority’s website, you must choose to submit the application in person. Shipping by post is not possible. 
• The form must not be older than 30 days when submitted to the Visa Center, otherwise it will become invalid and a new application form will need to be created.
• The application form must not be printed on two sides. 

Original passport
Valid for more than 6 months after the date of return

Copy of the passport details page
A copy of the passport pages with the personal data

Previous passport or additional form
If the passport has been issued on January 1, 2019 or later, additionally the
original, previous passport. If the previous passport is not available, a statement
signed in the original (download for Bern) or (download for Zurich), must be enclosed with the documents.

2 passport photos
Biometric and in colour (see photo criteria)

Invitation letter

stamped and signed. The letter must specify:

• Data of the invited person
• Information about the visit (purpose of the visit, dates of arrival and departure, planned place of stay, relations between the applicant and the inviting person, source of funds for expenses, etc.)
• Information about the inviting person (name, phone number, address, signature, etc.).

Copy of passport details page & residence permit
A copy of the passport pages and residence permit with the personal data of the inviting person

Copy of proof of kinship
Photocopy of a certificate (official marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) showing the relationship between the applicant and the inviting person.

Former visa and/or residence permit for China
Copy of the last visa and/or residence permit for China

Residence permit
If necessary, a copy of the applicant´s residence permit valid for Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)

Important Application Form Instructions: 

• When filling out the form on the authority’s website, you must choose to submit the application in person. Shipping by post is not possible. 
• The form must not be older than 30 days when submitted to the Visa Center, otherwise it will become invalid and a new application form will need to be created.
• The application form must not be printed on two sides. 

Original passport
Valid for more than 6 months after the date of return

Copy of the passport details page
A copy of the passport pages with the personal data

Previous passport or additional form
If the passport has been issued on January 1, 2019 or later, additionally the
original, previous passport. If the previous passport is not available, a statement
signed in the original (download for Bern) or (download for Zurich), must be enclosed with the documents.

2 passport photos
Biometric and in colour (see photo criteria)

Invitation letter

stamped and signed. The letter must specify:

• Data of the invited person
• Information about the visit (purpose of the visit, dates of arrival and departure, planned place of stay, relations between the applicant and the inviting person, source of funds for expenses, etc.)
• Information about the inviting person (name, phone number, address, signature, etc.).

A copy of the passport information page & the Chinese ID
A copy of the passport pages with the personal data and the Chinese ID of the inviting person

Copy of proof of kinship
Photocopy of a certificate (official marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) showing the relationship between the applicant and the inviting person.

Former visa and/or residence permit for China
Copy of the last visa and/or residence permit for China

Residence permit
If necessary, a copy of the applicant´s residence permit valid for Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)

Important Application Form Instructions: 

• When filling out the form on the authority’s website, you must choose to submit the application in person. Shipping by post is not possible. 
• The form must not be older than 30 days when submitted to the Visa Center, otherwise it will become invalid and a new application form will need to be created.
• The application form must not be printed on two sides. 

Original passport
Valid for more than 6 months after the date of return

Copy of the passport details page
A copy of the passport pages with the personal data

Previous passport or additional form
If the passport has been issued on January 1, 2019 or later, additionally the
original, previous passport. If the previous passport is not available, a statement
signed in the original (download for Bern) or (download for Zurich), must be enclosed with the documents.

2 passport photos
Biometric and in colour (see photo criteria)

Notification Letter

Work permit issued by the authority in China

Former visa and/or residence permit for China
Copy of the last visa and/or residence permit for China

Residence permit
If necessary, a copy of the applicant´s residence permit valid for Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)

Important Application Form Instructions: 

• When filling out the form on the authority’s website, you must choose to submit the application in person. Shipping by post is not possible. 
• The form must not be older than 30 days when submitted to the Visa Center, otherwise it will become invalid and a new application form will need to be created.
• The application form must not be printed on two sides. 

Original passport
Valid for more than 6 months after the date of return

Copy of the passport details page
A copy of the passport pages with the personal data

Previous passport or additional form
If the passport has been issued on January 1, 2019 or later, additionally the original, previous passport. If the previous passport is not available, a statement signed in the original (download for Bern) or (download for Zurich), must be enclosed with the documents.

2 passport photos
Biometric and in colour (see photo criteria)

Admission Letter AND the original and 1 copy of JW201 or JW202

Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by the school or other entities in Mainland China and  the Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China"(Form JW201 or JW202).

Stay of more than 180 days
Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

Former visa and/or residence permit for China
Copy of the last visa and/or residence permit for China

Residence permit
If necessary, a copy of the applicant´s residence permit valid for Switzerland or Liechtenstein.