To make travel to China easier and more convenient, Chinese authorities have extended the exemption from fingerprint collection for short-term visa applicants. This important update simplifies the application process for many international visitors and comes into effect immediately, running until 31 December 2026.

From now until 31 December 2026, applicants submitting requests for short-term visas with a stay of up to 180 days will no longer be required to provide fingerprints as part of their application at Chinese embassies and consulates abroad.

This change applies to visas issued for purposes such as:

• Tourism
• Business travel
• Family visits
• Transit stays

Applicants will therefore benefit from a smoother, less time-consuming procedure.

Despite the wider exemption, certain visa categories remain excluded and still require applicants to provide biometric data (including fingerprints) upon application.

These include:

• D visas (long-term residence)
• J1 visas (journalist)
• Q1 visas (family reunion for extended stays)
• S1 visas (family of foreign work or study permit holders)
• X1 visas (long-term study)
• Z visas (work visas)

For these categories, fingerprint collection continues under current regulations.

Fingerprint collection was introduced in 2018 as part of China’s broader biometric programme for foreign nationals. The extension of the waiver forms part of China’s ongoing efforts to facilitate international travel and strengthen global engagement following the reopening of borders after the pandemic.

By removing the biometric requirement for most short-term visits, applicants can expect:

• Faster processing
• Fewer in-person requirements
• A more traveller-friendly experience

This extension continues a series of previous relaxations. China first introduced a temporary fingerprint exemption for certain short-stay visas and has since renewed and expanded the policy through successive years.

For more information, contact our destination experts at A Trails.