By visiting the Visa Centre
1. Who can apply at the Visa Centre?
For applicants age 14 to 70, the first time applying for a Chinese visa since 1st Dec 2017, you should submit both the visa application and fingerprint at the centre in person, at the same time. If you have submitted the visa application as well as fingerprint in person since 1st Dec 2017, you may submit the visa application either in person or by a local legal travel agency in Seweden for the next 5 years. The third party could be a local legal travel agency recognized by Consulate-General or an entrusted person providing power of attorney notarized by the notary office and also the photocopy of his/her ID.
The Visa Centre accepts visa applications from citizens of Sweden or other countries legally residing in Sweden. Please submit the application to the Visa Centre of where you normally reside, or apply after you return to Sweden. Application acceptance is ONLY available to people lawfully residing in the country where the Visa Centre is located. .
FYA: Chinese Swedish and citizens of third countries are required to submit the applications in person to the Visa Centre. The consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.
2. How soon in advance should I submit my application?
You should make your application well in advance of the planned travel date. You are advised to apply ONE month in advance but no earlier than THREE months.
Please click here for the processing time of this Visa Centre. However, you should be aware of that actual processing time may be longer than that posted on the web site in certain circumstances. If there is such a delay, you will be notified by the Visa Centre staff.
3. Is an appointment required to submit the application?
Yes, you must make an appointment in advance and submit the application to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre during the period of time as you have appointed. Based on experience, the submission peak hours are between 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., so please try to avoid this period if possible. The Centre allots a certain number of appointments in every 30-minute timeslot. Upon arrival, either show a printout of the appointment information or e-mail, and you will then be given a queue number on a first come-first served basis. This should guarantee a wait of only a few minutes. Please click here to make an appointment for your visit to the Centre. Please click here for the location of the Visa Centre and office working hours.
4. What should I do after arriving at the Centre?
On the day of your visit to the Centre, please be punctual. Upon arrival, you will:
l Show your appointment form, visa application form and passport to reception, then obtain a queue number for passport-scanning.
l Scan the information on your passport at the specified window and obtain a queue number for submitting applications.
l Submit your application and biometric information. (If you are required for an interview with the consular officer, we'll book an appointment for you and please come to the Centre according to the scheduled time.)
l After submission, staff will issue an expense invoice and a queue number for payment.
l Pay at the cashier. Please CHECK all the particulars on the back of expense invoice, sign on the invoice and give it to staff, and then receive a pick-up form and a receipt.
l Always carefully retain the pick-up form and come to collect your passport with it on the designated date.
5. Can I track the status of my application?
The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre provides a 24-hour online facility to track the status of your application. You can click here to enter “track your application status page ”and bookmark it. Or you can easily find the tracking page from Quick Access on the homepage of the Visa Centre’s website.
6. Do I pay when submitting my application?
Yes, you should go to cashier to pay the visa fee and service fee once your application was accepted.
7. Can I cancel my application after submitting it?
The application process involves sophisticated procedures so that it is not possible for the Visa Centre to pull a single application out of the ongoing process involving many other applications. And Therefore you cannot cancel your application and withdraw it once you have submitted it. You are still required to pay the visa fee and service fee accordingly.
