The measure exempting the collection of fingerprints when applying for a visa to China has been extended until next year.
Since 2019, travelers aged between 14 and 70 have been required to have their fingerprints collected when applying for a visa to China.
Following the reopening of its borders and the introduction of numerous measures to simplify travel formalities, China temporarily suspended the collection of fingerprints for applicants for certain visa categories a year ago.
This measure, due to expire on December 31, 2023, applied to applicants for tourist visas (“L”), business visas (“M”), family visit visas (“Q2”), transit visas (“G”) and crew member visas (“C”), with single or double entry.
A few days before its expiry, this policy was finally extended by one year, until December 31, 2024.
Today, China has announced a further extension and expansion of this measure.
Visa fingerprint collection exemption extended until December 31, 2025
Various Chinese embassies around the world announced today an extension of the fingerprint collection exemption measure and its extension until December 31, 2025.
“From September 2, 2024 to December 31, 2025, the Embassy of China in Australia exempts all applicants who apply for single or double-entry short-term visas (stay in China for no more than 180 days) from fingerprints collection”, announces the Chinese Embassy in Australia.
Similar announcements are made by Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan, South Africa and France.
From now on, only applicants for long-stay visas, such as family reunification (“Q1”), family visit (“S1”) or study (“X1”), as well as applicants for multiple-entry visas, such as business visas, need to go to a Chinese embassy, consulate or visa center to have their fingerprints collected when submitting their visa application.
Tourists from 15 countries are exempt from Chinese visa
Since December 1, 2023, tourists and business travelers from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Malaysia are exempt from visas for a 15-day stay in China.
During his visit to France last May, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that this exceptional visa waiver provision, which was initially scheduled to end in November 2024, would be extended until December 31, 2025.
In March 2024, China’s unilateral visa exemption policy was extended to tourists from 6 European countries, namely Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Ireland, Hungary and Austria.
Poland, Australia and New Zealand were added to the list of nations benefiting from this measure last July.
