Following the government guidance on social distancing rules, the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Bern will begin a controlled, phased re-opening service from July 8^th.

1. Business hours:
Visa application service: Wednesday and Friday (from 10.00 am to 13.00 pm)
Collection service:
Regular Service: Wednesday and Friday (from 10:00 am to 14:30 pm) (The regular service will take 3 working days including date of submission)
Express Level 2 Service: Wednesday and Friday (from 12:00 am to 14:30 pm) (The express level 2 service will take 2 working days including date of submission)

Notes: Express Level 1 service is not available now, and we only accept for some specific categories of visa application. Please refer to following visa requirements in detail.

2. The following visa categories will be eligible for submission at the visa center:
A. Crew visa (C)
B. The applicant coming to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities  can apply for a visa with an official ‘Invitation Letter (PU/TE)’ or ‘Verification Confirmation of Invitation’ issued by the local provincial Foreign Office or Department of Commerce at the intended destination of visit in China. The visa center will not accept any application without the above mentioned government official invitation letter.
C. Humanitarian needs. It refers to visiting a direct family member who is in a critical condition in hospital, or attending a direct family member's funeral.

3. Handling Procedures:
Applicants who need to come to China for the aforementioned purposes will firstly send an email to berncenter@visaforchina.org with a detailed explanation, scanned copy of all relevant supporting documents as attachment . Once received pre-approved email by our visa center, we will make an appointment with you. It is compulsory to make appointment in advance and submit the application to the Visa Center during the period of  time as you appointed with us.

CVASC in Bern