Temporary exemption from fingerprinting for Chinese visa applicants in France
A temporary exemption from fingerprinting simplifies visa applications for Chinese travelers in France, easing travel planning between now and the end of December 2023. Learn what categories qualify and what requirements remain.
The Chinese Embassy in France announced on Thursday a relaxation that will streamline visa procedures for Chinese applicants in France. From 10 August to 31 December 2023, applicants for Chinese business (M), tourism (L), family visit (Q2), transit (G) and crew (C) visas valid for one or two entries will be temporarily exempt from fingerprinting.
Waiving the fingerprint requirement for these visa categories simplifies the application process and reduces the time needed to obtain a visa. Successful applicants will not have to visit a visa application centre in person to provide fingerprints, which is especially helpful for those living far from urban centres or with tight schedules.
Easing tensions between China and France
The decision to temporarily exempt certain applicants from fingerprinting can be seen as a gesture of goodwill from China. It may also respond to COVID-19 concerns by reducing physical contact and lowering associated risks. As a reminder, China introduced the fingerprint rule in 2019 in response to France’s requirement to take fingerprints from Chinese students.
The Chinese government has stated it will review the measure once the suspension period ends.
Applicants should note that although fingerprinting is temporarily waived for these visa categories, all other requirements, including the health declaration for travel to China, remain unchanged.
Travelers must still obtain a Chinese health declaration, available via htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn. This document, valid for 14 days, must be presented both at check-in and upon arrival in China.
A specialist in regulatory monitoring and a content destination expert, she analyzes daily changes in entry formalities to turn complex administrative processes into practical guides. Her role blends ground-level expertise with technical precision to ensure the reliability of the information provided to travelers.
