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 since 12.01.2021. The submission of fingerprints is valid for 5 years, provided that the application is made with the same passport. Thus, AVS can fully recover the subsequent visa applications (within the 5 years). Please prepare your application early. The availability of the dates in the China Visacenter in Zurich is at 10-14 calendar days at the earliest.
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).
Business / Visa type M / trade
Visa type M / trade
1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)
Important Application Form Instructions:
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, 2018 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:
Applicants for the first China visa can only obtain a single entry or double entry visa. For a multiple-entry visa, a copy of the previous China visa and an invitation from China with the desire to issue a visa for one year with multiple entries must be provided.
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.
Tourist
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:
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, 2018 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
or
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.
Family visit non chinese citizen
1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)
Important Application Form Instructions:
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, 2018 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:
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.
Family visit chinese citizen
1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)
Important Application Form Instructions:
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, 2018 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:
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.
Work
1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)
Important Application Form Instructions:
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, 2018 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.
Student
1 Application form - Sample application
Dully filled and original signed.
For Bern: (online Form) / For Zurich: (online Form)
Important Application Form Instructions:
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, 2018 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.
Covid-19 test before departure to China
Please note the instructions of the authorities on this website: http://zurich.china-consulate.gov.cn/det/zytz/202303/t20230301_11033697.htm
Standard: 5 working days
Express: 2 - 3 working days
Please prepare your application early. The availability of the dates in the China Visacenter in Zurich is at 10-14 calendar days at the earliest.