Switzerland

Consulate in Zurich

Chinese Embassy in Switzerland

Ambassador: Mr. Wang Shiting Address: Kalcheggweg 10, 3006 Bern
Fax: +41-31-3514573
Email: china-embassy@bluewin.ch

30-Day Visa Free Policy

China visa-free policy offered to Switzerland citizens has been extended to end of 2025. Previously it was effective by November of 2024. During the period, ordinary Switzerland passport holders can stay in China for 15 days visa-free for business, travelling, family visits and transit. Excitingly, from Nov. 30, 2024, thee visa-free period has been prolonged to 30 days and exchange visits are considered the eligible travel purpose. HK offers the Swiss 90-day visa free stay and Macau grants a 30-day stay.

Consular Office of Chinese Embassy in Switzerland

Address: Lombachweg 23, 3006 Bern (Take bus No.19 and get off at Petruskirche)
Tel: 079 130 9739 for consultation, 10:00 - 12:00, 15:00 - 17:00; 031 350 1258 for consular protection
Fax: 031 351 3072
Email: bern@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Office Hours: 09:00 - 12:00, Monday - Friday (except holidays)
Consular Districts: Except the consular districts of Chinese Consulate in Zurich.

Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Switzerland

The visa application service centers (CVASC for short) in Bern and Surich have been eastablished to provide visa services. Applicants holding ordinary passports or applying for a visa to Hong Kong or Macau China are all required to summit their visa applications to the service centers.

CVASC in Bern

Address: 1st Stock, Murifeld, Weltpoststrasse 5, 3015, Bern, Switzerland
Office hours: Monday to Friday
Application service:
Authentication and Visa: 09:00 - 13:00 from Monday to Friday
Collection service:
Regular Service: Visa and Authentication: 09:00 - 15:00
Express Level 2 Service: Visa and Authentication: 09:00 - 15:00
Express Level 1 Service: Visa and Authentication: 12:00 - 15:00
Tel: +41 058 618 89 88
Fax: +41 058 618 89 87
E-mail: berncenter@visaforchina.org

CVASC in Surich

Address: Giesshuebelstrasse 45, 8045, Zurich, Switzerland
Office hours:
Application Service: 9:00-13:00 Monday to Friday
Collection Service: 9:00-15:00 Monday to Friday
Tel: +41 58 618 89 99, 9:00-15:00 from Monday to Friday
Fax:+41 58 618 89 97
E-mail: zurichcenter@visaforchina.org

Visa Application Fees (CHF)

Countries		Regular	Express Level 2	Express Level 1
Switzerland & Schengen		45	75	85
The US		125 for J1 155 for J2	-	-
Argentina		100	130	140
Canada		50	80	90
Brazil		85	115	125
Israel		20	50	60
Serbia		1	31	41
Russia	Single entry	35	65	75
	Double entries	70	100	110
	Multiple entries	105	135	145
Romania	Single entry	50	80	90
	Double entries	70	100	110
	Multiple entries	100	130	140
Panama		40	70	80
Uruguay		30	60	70
Other countries	Single entry	25	55	65
	Double entries	35	65	75
	Multiple entries (6 months)	50	80	90
	Multiple entries (12 months)	70	100	110

The fees shown above is only the visa fee charged by Chinese embassy or consulate.

Service Fee of CVASC

Normally, the processing time is 4 working days. For urgent cases, the expedited service is available. Moreover, additional fees will be paid as follows:

Regular Service	118.5
Express Service Level 1 (2 working days)	280
Express Service Level 2 (3 working days)	215.4
Post Back Service only for regular service	215.4
Two Way Postal Service	280

The total fee applicants need to pay is the visa fee plus the service fee charged by the visa center.

Requirements for Application

1. Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages.
2. Application form with genuine information and signature.
3. One passport photo attached to the application form.

For tourism, round-trip air tickets and hotel reservation are required. If visiting relative, invitation letter is required, as well as copies of inviter's work permit and residence permit, or copy of Chinese ID if Chinese.

For business, round-trip tickets, hotel reservation, original or copy of invitation letter are required.

If applying to study, JW201 or JW202 and Admission Letter from Chinese university/college are required.

If going for work, originals and copies of invitation letter and work permit are required.

2024 Holiday Schedule of the Embassy

Festival	Date	Day
New Year's Day	January 1	Monday
Chinese New Year	February 12 - 14	Monday - Wednesday
International Labor Day	May 1	Wednesday
Dragon Boat Festival	June 10	Monday
Mid-Autumn Festival	September 17	Tuesday
Chinese National Day	October 1 - 3	Tuesday - Thursday
Christmas Day	December 25	Wednesday

2024 Holiday Schedule of CVASC in Surich

Festival	Date	Day
New Year's Day	January 1	Monday
Chinese New Year	February 12 - 14	Monday - Wednesday
Good Friday	March 29	Friday
Easter Monday	April 1	Monday
International Labor Day	May 1	Wednesday
Ascensiontide Holy Thursday	May 9	Thursday
Whit Monday	May 20	Monday
Dragon Boat Festival	June 10	Monday
Swiss National Day	August 1	Thursday
Mid-Autumn Festival	September 17	Tuesday
Chinese National Day	October 1 - 3	Tuesday - Thursday
Christmas Day	December 25 - 26	Wednesday - Thursday

2024 Holiday Schedule of CVASC in Bern

Festival	Date	Day
New Year's Day	January 1	Monday
Berchtold's Day	January 1	Tuesday
Chinese New Year	February 12 - 14	Monday - Wednesday
Good Friday	March 29	Friday
Easter Monday	April 1	Monday
International Labor Day	May 1	Wednesday
Ascensiontide Holy Thursday	May 9	Thursday
Whit Monday	May 20	Monday
Dragon Boat Festival	June 10	Monday
Swiss National Day	August 1	Thursday
Mid-Autumn Festival	September 17	Tuesday
Chinese National Day	October 1 - 3	Tuesday - Thursday
Christmas Day	December 25 - 26	Wednesday - Thursday

Please contact Embassy of Switzerland in PRC if Swisses have problems there.

China Tour from Zurich Switzerland

Related Chinese Embassies in Europe: Ukraine, United Kingdom, Tirana, Albania

- Last updated on Dec. 03, 2024 by Gabby Li -

Questions & Answers on Chinese Embassy in Switzerland

Asked by Studer from SWITZERLAND | Jan. 04, 2024 07:13

Do I need to take an appointment online for my Visa request. Not sure I can read different answers

Answers (1)

Answered by Maria | Jan. 07, 2024 18:47

Hi, the online appointment has been cancelled since Oct. 23, 2023 and the walk in service is available.

Asked by kirsty | May. 15, 2023 07:32

what time should you arrive? And how long does the whole interview take?

Answers (1)

Answered by Alex | May. 16, 2023 00:32

You need to make an appointment on line in advance and then arrive at about 20 minutes before the appointed time. The interview time differs depending on different situation. But generally, it takes about 3-15 minutes.

Asked by Valerie from SWITZERLAND | Jan. 31, 2020 06:34

Visa Fees

Hi
I'm Swiss citizen. I would like to travel to China in Summer. I'm actually confused about the visa fees. Does anyone know if the prices above (CHF 70.--) are still up-to-date? Or if the prices got increased and they forgot to change it on the web page. As far as I know a friend of mine paid much more last year to get the visa.
Thanks a lot for your help
Valerie

Answers (2)

Answered by Rolisa from SWITZERLAND | Feb. 01, 2020 22:52

Dear, the web page is out of date now. You should pay CHF 188.5 for a China visa if applying from the CVASC. That's indeed much expensive than before.

Answered by President from SWITZERLAND | Feb. 03, 2020 03:49

Hey It can go up to 300 CHF... so be prepared to have a lot of cash on you .... I am from Switzerland too and I am in China at the moment. Be careful with the coronavirus and take some masks with you because it’s hard to find in China. add my Wechat: Newsmach ... if you need any help

Asked by President from SWITZERLAND | Jan. 23, 2020 07:49

Getting Investment from China. None of the visa can suit my case

Hey, I wrote a question before but I realized the quality of my text was low. Blame my keyboard. Let’s rephrase it.

I am from Switzerland and I own a US CORP.
I am a high demanded person when it comes to investment in China. A lot of investors have demanded to see me with offers. My company is not incorporated in China and doesn’t plan to enter China. Most of my investors are shareholders and they don’t see me under an entity i.e using a company to see. Should I take a tourist visa since it’s the best option thing to do. Most of those investors are my friends. They can invest in my company after enjoy a trip in China. Tourist visa means I am on a trip to enjoy time. I really need help there.

Answers (1)

Answered by Jonno from USA | Feb. 02, 2020 18:23

Yes, you can apply for a tourist visa because it sounds more like a private affair and trip.

Asked by President from SWITZERLAND | Jan. 23, 2020 07:43

Meet investors in China which investment should I take

A lot of investors wants to see me in China to invest in my company which is in USA. I believe a Business visa is not appropriate because investors are not essentially owners of a company. Is there any ways ? If not then I should a tourist visa since I am technically not doing any work within China. I am just visa Chinese friends who gets to kindly invest in my company as friends i.E investor. I don’t know I need help 😟😂

Answers (2)

Answered by Denny from CANADA | Feb. 01, 2020 22:47

Dear, in this case, a tourist visa will be perfect for you.

Answered by President from SWITZERLAND | Feb. 02, 2020 01:51

Dear, thanks for replying to my question on a Saturday. 😊