🇨🇳China

🇩🇪GermanyCN-DE

China to Germany visa requirements

Q: Which German mission should I choose?

Apply where you legally reside or are habitually resident. In China, Germany lists Beijing plus consulates in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenyang.

Q: Do I need biometrics every time?

No. Fingerprints captured for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months can be reused, so a new in-person submission may not be required.

Q: What is the approval rate?

Germany typically approves a high share of Chinese applications when funding, ties, and documentation are clear. Each case is decided on its evidence.

Q: Can I work or study with this visa?

No. The Schengen Type C visa is for short stays only. Paid work or formal study requires a separate national long-stay visa.

Yes, Chinese citizens need a Schengen short-stay visa to enter Germany. Chinese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa for tourism, family visits, or short business trips to Germany. The visa allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Apply at VFS Global, the official partner for Germany in China.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

Schengen Type C short-stay visa

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days per 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Single, double, or multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

€90

consular fee only

Processing time

15 days statutory/normal; may extend to 45 days

standard track

Validity

As printed on the visa sticker

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Identify the right German mission

Apply where you legally reside or are habitually resident. Germany's China network includes Beijing and the consulates in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenyang.

· jurisdiction matters

/02

Book VFS Global appointment

Book through visa.vfsglobal.com/chn/en/deu and choose the centre serving your jurisdiction. Centres operate in around 15 Chinese cities.

· VFS Global· 15 cities

/03

Complete the application

Fill in the Schengen visa form on VIDEX (the German online form) and print it. Prepare all supporting documents.

· VIDEX online form

/04

Submit at VFS Global

Attend in person with passport, photo, supporting documents, and insurance. Pay the visa fee and VFS service charge. Fingerprints and photo are captured if not already reusable from a Schengen application in the last 59 months.

· fingerprints· 59-month reuse

/05

Track and collect

Track via VFS Global. Collect your passport at the centre or by courier once the decision is ready.

· track online· courier optional

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items

Personalized checklist

China -> Germany · Schengen Type C short-stay visa

0 / 11 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredChinese passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid at least 3 months beyond return, 2 blank pages, issued within 10 years

RequiredPrinted VIDEX application

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Signed by applicant

RequiredOne recent passport photo

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

Taken within 6 months, white background, biometric standard

RequiredTravel medical insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across Schengen

RequiredFlight reservation

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Round-trip covering the visa dates

RequiredAccommodation proof

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel bookings or invitation letter from German host

RequiredFunding evidence

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Stamped bank statements for the past 3 months and any sponsor proof

RequiredEmployment or business proof

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Employer leave letter and salary slips, or business licence

RequiredDetailed itinerary

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Day-by-day plan covering Germany and any other Schengen states

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

Official sourcesGerman Federal Foreign Office — Visa requirements/exemptions for Germany (03.06.2026)German Missions in China — Short-stay Schengen visa (no visible page date)German Missions in China — Tourist visit Schengen checklist (no visible page date)

Application link included: German Federal Foreign Office — Visa requirements/exemptions for Germany (03.06.2026)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Schengen visa fee€90Adults; €45 for children 6-11; free under 6

VFS service fee€19.13Paid in RMB at the consular exchange rate

Travel insuranceVariesMinimum €30,000 coverage

Couriers, photos, translationsVariesOptional

Total estimate¥950 — ¥1,600+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard decision

15 days

The statutory/normal processing period is 15 days. German missions say complete applications are often decided in a few working days.

Extended review

Up to 45 days

When a more detailed examination or additional documents are required.

Appointment and transport buffer

Varies

Peak-season appointment waits and VFS-to-consulate transport can add time, so apply early.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Insufficient or unstable funding

Bank evidence does not convincingly cover the trip, or large unexplained deposits.

High

/02

Weak ties to China

Employment, family, or property records too thin to demonstrate intent to return.

High

/03

Wrong consulate jurisdiction

Applying outside your residence jurisdiction can lead to refusal or delay.

Medium

/04

Itinerary inconsistencies

Booked dates, accommodation, and stated plans do not match.

Medium

/05

Insurance below the threshold

Policy under €30,000 or not valid across the Schengen Area.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Border control

Carry your Schengen visa, itinerary, insurance, funds proof, and return ticket. Border officers can ask for the same evidence used for the visa.

/02

90/180 tracking

Your allowed stay is counted across the whole Schengen Area, not only Germany. Keep entry and exit dates recorded.

/03

Connectivity

EU roaming works for EU SIMs. Tourist SIMs and eSIMs are available at airports, stations, and electronics shops.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-19 · major

China to Germany route re-verified

Confirmed PRC ordinary passports remain visa-required for Germany, updated official source names and dates, corrected VFS service fee to €19.13, processing to 15 days/45 days, biometrics reuse to 59 months, and the tourist checklist photo/bank-statement wording.

2026-05-26

China to Germany route verified

Confirmed €90 Schengen fee, VFS Global as Germany's application partner in China, VIDEX online form, and consular jurisdiction map.

/09 — The questions