How to get a Schengen visa from China in 2026

Applying for a Schengen visa from China has become both more common and more competitive in recent years. With international travel from China strongly rebounding, European consulates are once again processing a very high number of applications, especially in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Appointment availability, processing times and compliance with administrative requirements are now key challenges for Chinese applicants planning a trip to Europe.

In practice, getting a Schengen visa from China is less about luck than about preparation. Choosing the correct consulate, submitting a complete and consistent application file, respecting timelines and providing mandatory documents such as travel medical insurance all play a decisive role in the outcome. This guide explains, step by step, how the Schengen visa process works for applicants from China, what to expect in terms of costs and delays, and how to reduce the risk of refusal.

Is a Schengen visa mandatory for Chinese citizens?

Yes. A Schengen visa is mandatory for Chinese passport holders who wish to travel to any country in the Schengen Area for a short stay, whether for tourism, family visits, business or short-term studies. Chinese nationals are not visa-exempt, which means you must obtain a visa before travelling to Europe.

In most cases, Chinese travellers apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C). This visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. The 90/180 rule is cumulative: every day spent in one Schengen country counts toward the same total, even if you visit several countries on the same trip.

In practice, a Schengen Type C visa can be issued as:

• Single-entry (one entry),
• Double-entry, or
• Multiple-entry (several trips within the validity period).

For Chinese citizens, this visa is mainly used for the following purposes:

The Schengen visa allows free movement between all Schengen countries during the authorised period, but it does not permit long-term work, residence or permanent settlement.

It is also important not to confuse the Schengen visa with a long-stay national visa:

• Schengen visa (Type C): for short stays only, limited to 90 days in any 180-day period, valid across the Schengen Area.
• Long-stay visa (Type D): issued by one specific country for stays longer than 90 days (work, full-degree studies, family reunification) and usually followed by a residence permit.

This guide focuses exclusively on the Schengen short-stay visa (Type C), which is the most common option for Chinese travellers planning a temporary trip to Europe.

Because travel medical insurance is mandatory for all Schengen short-stay visas, many Chinese travellers choose to prepare this part of their application early. Today, it is possible to compare Schengen-compliant travel insurance online, check coverage levels and download the certificate instantly through platforms such as HelloSafe. This ensures your visa file is complete as soon as an appointment becomes available — without last-minute stress.

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What are the Schengen visa requirements from China in 2026?

To apply for a Schengen visa from China in 2025, Chinese citizens must submit a complete and well-documented application file. While requirements are harmonised across the Schengen Area, consulates in China are particularly strict on document consistency, financial proof and mandatory travel insurance.

Below is a clear and practical checklist covering all required documents for a standard short-stay Schengen visa (Type C).

📝 Important notes for Chinese applicants

• All documents must be consistent (dates, destinations, purpose of travel).
• Financial documents should clearly show stable income and affordability of the trip.
• Travel insurance is mandatory and frequently checked; policies that do not meet Schengen requirements can lead to refusal.
• The visa fee is non-refundable, even if the application is refused.

A complete and well-prepared file significantly increases approval chances. Many applicants from China now prepare their documents digitally in advance and secure Schengen-compliant travel insurance online, so they can submit their application as soon as an appointment becomes available.

How to get a Schengen visa from China step by step?

Below is a clear and structured step-by-step guide for Chinese citizens applying for a Schengen short-stay visa. The process is the same across the Schengen Area, but choosing the right country and booking the correct visa centre in China are decisive steps.

🗺️🏛️ Step 1: Choose your main destination and the right visa centre in China

Before anything else, you must determine which Schengen country is responsible for your application and where you must submit your file in China.

How to choose the correct Schengen country

The rule applied by all Schengen states is the following:

• Apply through the country where you will spend the longest time, or
• If the stay is evenly split, through the country of your main purpose of travel (tourism, business, family visit).
• Only if there is no clear main destination should you apply via the country of first entry.

Applying through the wrong country is a common and costly mistake and can lead to a refusal, even if all other documents are correct.

Visa application centres in China

Most Schengen countries outsource visa applications in China to VFS Global or TLScontact. You must apply at the centre that covers your place of residence, not simply the city of your choice.

Important points for applicants in China:

• Jurisdiction rules are strict: for example, a resident of Shanghai usually cannot apply in Beijing.
• Each country has its own network and availability.
• Always check the official visa website of your destination country before booking.

📂 Step 2: Prepare your documents

Once the destination country and visa centre are confirmed, you should prepare your full application file:

• passport
• application form
• photos
• travel itinerary and accommodation
• proof of funds
• ties to China
• travel insurance
• cover letter

Your Schengen visa documents must be consistent (dates, destinations, purpose). Missing or contradictory information is one of the main reasons for refusal.

(Refer to the checklist above to make sure all required documents are included.)

🖊️📅 Step 3: Fill in the application form and book your appointment

You must complete the Schengen visa application form (online or PDF), then print and sign it.

Appointments are booked directly on the VFS Global or TLScontact platform of the destination country.

Availability can be very limited, especially in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

What Chinese applicants should know about appointments:

• Demand is highest between April and September and around major Chinese holidays (Labour Day, summer holidays, Golden Week).
• Appointment slots are released in batches and can disappear quickly.
• Some centres offer paid premium services, but these do not speed up the visa decision itself.

Booking as early as possible is strongly recommended, especially for summer travel.

🏥 Step 4: Buy your Schengen travel insurance from China

Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all Schengen visa applications.

Your policy must:

• cover at least €30,000 in medical and repatriation expenses
• be valid in all Schengen countries
• cover the entire duration of your stay

Many applicants from China now compare Schengen-compliant travel insurance online and download the certificate instantly, instead of buying insurance at the last minute.

Platforms such as HelloSafe allow travellers to compare policies quickly and obtain an insurance certificate accepted by Schengen consulates.

🧬 Step 5: Attend your appointment and submit biometrics

On the day of your appointment, you will:

• submit your full document file
• provide fingerprints and a photo (if required)
• pay the visa and service fees in CNY
• answer brief questions about your trip, if requested

Biometric data are generally valid for 59 months, so frequent travellers may not need to give fingerprints again.

⏳ Step 6: Wait for the decision and collect your passport

After submission, the standard processing time is around 15 days, but it may extend to 30–45 days during busy periods or if additional checks are required.

When you receive your passport, carefully check the visa sticker, including:

• validity dates
• number of entries (single, double or multiple)
• authorised duration of stay

These details determine how and when you can travel within the Schengen Area.

How much does a Schengen visa cost in China (EUR & CNY)?

The cost of a Schengen visa from China is made up of two main components:

1. the official consular visa fee, set at EU level, and
2. a service fee, charged by the external visa centres (VFS Global or TLScontact) that handle applications in China.

Below is a clear price overview with indicative conversions into Chinese yuan (CNY).

🧾 Important points to know before paying

• Visa fees are non-refundable: if your Schengen visa is refused, the consular fee and service fee are not reimbursed, regardless of the reason.
• Currency conversion is indicative: the amounts in CNY are based on recent exchange rates. The exact amount charged may vary slightly depending on the consulate and the exchange rate applied on the day of payment.
• Payment is made in CNY at the visa centre: in China, both the visa fee and the service fee are generally paid in Chinese yuan directly at the VFS Global or TLScontact centre during your appointment.
• Optional services (SMS notifications, courier return, premium lounge) may be offered by the visa centre and are charged separately.

Because these fees cannot be recovered in case of refusal, many applicants focus on reducing financial risk elsewhere, for example by avoiding non-refundable bookings and choosing flexible, Schengen-compliant travel insurance that can be adjusted or refunded if the visa is not granted.

How long does Schengen visa processing take from China and when should you apply?

Under the Schengen Visa Code, the standard Schengen visa processing time for a short-stay visa is 15 calendar days from the date your application is received by the consulate.

However, for applications submitted in China:

• Processing can be extended to 45 days, or even up to 60 days in exceptional cases
• Extensions are more common during periods of high demand or when additional checks are required

Applicants can submit their Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the planned travel date, which is strongly recommended for peak travel periods.

Visa demand in China follows a very seasonal pattern, closely linked to school holidays, public holidays and outbound travel peaks.

The busiest periods typically include:

• Late spring and summer (April to September)
• Chinese public holidays, especially Labour Day (early May) and National Day / Golden Week (early October)
• Peak tourist months for Europe, when appointment slots in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou fill up quickly

During these periods, applicants face both longer appointment waiting times and slower processing.

Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa from China?

Yes. Schengen travel medical insurance is a legal requirement for all Schengen short-stay visa applications submitted from China. Without valid insurance, your application will be considered incomplete and may be rejected, even if all other documents are in order.

For Chinese citizens, the insurance must comply with strict Schengen rules. It is not a simple recommendation but a mandatory condition set by the EU Visa Code and applied by all Schengen consulates and visa centres in China.

To be accepted, your travel insurance must include:

In practice, many applicants from China now choose to purchase Schengen-compliant travel insurance online, as it allows them to compare options easily and receive the certificate immediately.

Many Chinese travellers today purchase Schengen-compliant travel insurance online in just a few minutes and receive the certificate instantly through platforms such as HelloSafe.

Why are Schengen visas refused from China — and how can you avoid rejection?

Even though Chinese applicants tend to have much lower refusal rates than the global average, Schengen visa refusals still happen, and they usually stem from specific documentation or credibility issues.

According to the latest overview of Schengen refusal trends, the overall rejection rate for Schengen visas worldwide was about 14.8 % in 2024 (≈ 1.7 million refusals out of 11.7 million applications). In contrast, applicants from **East Asia — including China — typically see refusal rates under 5 %.

Most refusals result from documentary or procedural gaps, not arbitrary assessment, which means understanding the typical refusal triggers can significantly improve your chance of approval.

🧠 Practical tips to avoid refusal

• Prepare your documents carefully using an official checklist and double-check dates, names and consistency across all files.
• Show stable finances with clear bank histories and supporting documents.
• Explain your travel plans in a well-written cover letter with supporting bookings.
• Purchase Schengen-compliant travel insurance that meets all requirements (min. €30,000, valid in all Schengen countries, covering the entire stay).
• Document strong ties to China — employment, property, family, ongoing commitments — to demonstrate intention to return.

Which Schengen countries can you visit with a visa from China, and which are easiest (or hardest) to get?

🌍 Which countries can you visit with a Schengen visa from China?

A Schengen visa issued to a Chinese passport holder allows travel across the entire Schengen Area, not just the country that issued the visa. Once the visa is granted, you can move freely between Schengen countries during the authorised period.

That said, one rule is essential and often misunderstood:

you must apply through the country that is your main destination (the country where you spend the most nights or where the main purpose of your trip takes place). If there is no clear main destination, you apply through the country of first entry.

Below are some of the most popular Schengen destinations for travellers from China and the reasons they are frequently chosen:

In practice, many trips combine several countries (for example France–Italy–Switzerland or Germany–Netherlands–Belgium), but only one Schengen visa is needed if your itinerary and documents are consistent.

📊 Which Schengen countries are easiest or hardest for Chinese applicants?

All Schengen countries apply the same visa rules, based on the EU Visa Code. However, approval rates still vary depending on the destination, the profile of applicants and local consular workload.

Based on recent statistics and observed trends for Chinese applicants, the following patterns are often highlighted:

Larger countries with high volumes of applications may not be stricter in theory, but appointment availability and processing pressure can make the experience more challenging, especially during spring and summer.

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