According to a diplomatic note from the German consulate in China, all Schengen countries will initiate a visa application system in China from Oct 12, 2015. Applicants will be required to provide fingerprints to the consulate general when applying for a visa.
Visa assistants from foreign affairs offices are required to submit application documents between the hours of 8: 30 am to 10:00 am on Tuesday and Thursday. Applicants can have their fingerprints taken from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm on the same day as applying. Applicants giving fingerprints should be on the morning’s application list of the same day.
Applicants who have obtained a Schengen visa and have provided the abovementioned information do not have to have fingerprints taken within five years.
The fingerprint method of other Schengen countries is still unclear; please prepare in advance and take enough time on the application.
China has extended its 240-hour visa-free transit policy and Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry policy to citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, the National Immigration Administration said on Aug 20.
