Asia
Visa for China
Updated: October 2026 · Visa-free entry for Germans extended to 31 Dec 2026.
Who needs a visa?
German citizens travel visa-free for up to 30 days since 2024 (extended to 31 Dec 2026). Russians: visa-free up to 30 days under a pilot since 15 Sept 2025. Kazakhs: visa-free up to 30 days. Ukrainians, Turks and many others: visa. Work, study or stays over 30 days require a visa for everyone. Transit up to 240 hours without a visa in 60 cities.
Fees and processing time
Fee at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Düsseldorf: Germans €125.45 incl. service (single or multiple entry the same), third-country nationals €60–150 depending on nationality. Processing regular 4 working days, express 3 days (+€25), rush 2 days (+€37). Biometrics (fingerprints) for ages 14–70 in person at the CVASC.
Where to apply?
Complete the COVA online form, book a CVASC appointment, attend in person (fingerprints). By place of residence: Hamburg for Bremen and Lower Saxony. Anyone living in Germany with a residence permit (valid at least 6 months) may apply here.
Visa types
| Category | Who it is for | Government fee | Processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free 30 days | Germans, Russians, Kazakhs and others; tourism, business, family visit | €0 | – |
| L – tourism | Hotel booking, return ticket | €60–125 | 4 days |
| M – business | Invitation from a Chinese company | €60–125 | 4 days |
| Q1/Q2 – family | Visiting Chinese nationals or foreigners with permanent residence | €60–125 | 4 days |
| Z – work | Employer's Work Permit Notification, then Residence Permit in China | €60–125 | 4 days + 30 days in China |
| X1/X2 – study | JW201/JW202 and admission | €60–125 | 4 days |
| S1/S2 – accompanying family | Relatives of work or study visa holders | €60–125 | 4 days |
Documents
- Passport (6 months valid, 2 blank pages) and residence permit (6 months valid)
- COVA form with photo 33×48 mm, white background
- Flight and hotel booking or invitation (company / private person with ID copy)
- For Z: Notification Letter of Work Permit
- For X: admission and JW201/JW202
- Copies of previous Chinese visas
What we do for you
- Check the category and assess your chances honestly
- Personal checklist, check of every document
- Complete the online form from your details, write the cover letter
- Book the visa centre or consulate appointment, prepare you for questions
- Arrange translations, apostille, insurance
- Track status, answer queries, explain the decision
Common mistakes
Photo does not meet the dimensions (most common rejection reason); travel plan in COVA contradicts the booking; residence permit expires in less than 6 months; visa-free entry used although work was planned.
Our fee: Document check from €150, full support for one application from €490. Government fees, translations and apostille are charged separately and quoted in advance. Prices →