Information on submitting fingerprints when applying for a China visa

What exceptions are there

          The following are exempt from this regulation:

• Children under the age of 14 or adults who have reached the age of 71
• Holders of a diplomatic passport or persons who are qualified for a Chinese diplomatic or humanitarian visa
• Persons who have been issued a Chinese biometric visa in the same passport in the past 5 years and whose fingerprints have already been recorded by the Chinese consular provider
• Persons who have limitations in the finger area or persons whose fingerprints of all 10 fingers cannot be captured for other reasons

When do I have to hand in fingerprints?

Fingerprints are submitted on the day the visa documents are submitted to the consular provider (Visa Application Center):

• The fingerprints are valid for 5 years together with the submitted passport
• If you apply for a visa with another passport within these 5 years, new fingerprints must be submitted for this passport
• If you are invited to an interview at the embassy and submit fingerprints there, it may be necessary to submit fingerprints to the consular provider (Visa Application Center) again
• Fingerprints that have already been submitted when entering China will not be accepted

Where do I hand in the fingerprints?

The fingerprints must be handed in at the consular provider (Visa Application Center) where the visa documents are submitted.

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For all Austrians, this is currently only the Chinese consular provider in VIENNA.

                                            Chinese Visa Application Service Center
                                            Schönbrunner Straße 108/Top 1.01
                                          1050 Vienna

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How do I make an appointment to hand in my fingerprints?

You always need an appointment with the consular provider (Visa Application Center) to submit your fingerprint.

Please note the following recommendations:

• Be on time for your appointment with the consular provider (Visa Application Center)
  • If you arrive earlier, depending on the frequency, you may be able to submit your application before the agreed date
  • If you miss the appointment, this may result in a new appointment having to be made, including the creation of a new visa application
• We recommend allowing sufficient time for the submission

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    In future, we will offer you the following appointment options:
1) MEET & GREET-SERVICE with appointment and preliminary inspection by ÖVKG

     This service includes:

• Preliminary test
  • The ÖVKG checks your documents for correctness and completeness of content - please send us the documents in advance exclusively in electronic form
• Meet&Greet service
  • The ÖVKG arranges an appointment at the Visa Application Center in Vienna
  • Personal ÖVKG contact person when handing in the fingerprints on site
  • Collection of the issued visa from the Visa Application Center
  • Payment and display of the consular and Visa Application Center fees by the ÖVKG
  • Follow-up submission of any documents included

                     Total surcharge: 63,00€ net plus VAT

Your advantages:

• Use the advantages of processing the application via your own agency counter with shorter waiting times
• Go through the application process at the Visa Application Center worry-free with the support of a local VKG employee
• The consular and Visa Application Center fees are paid on site by ÖVKG and passed on to you in the usual way - so you avoid a large number of invoices

If the consulate requests any additional documents, it is not necessary for the traveler to appear in person again - VKG will be happy to provide this service for you at no extra charge.

2) TERMINAL ARRANGEMENT BY ÖVKG - independent submission - collection by ÖVKG

       This service includes:

• Preliminary test
  • The ÖVKG checks your documents for correctness and completeness of content - please send us the documents in advance exclusively in electronic form
• Appointment and collection of the passport by ÖVKG
  • Appointment at the Visa Application Center in Vienna
  • Collection of the issued visa from the Visa Application Center
    • Send us the original pick-up slip, or
    • Submit the original pick-up slip to the ÖVKG

                             Total surcharge: 55,00€ net plus VAT

Note:

• The submission (visa documents and registration of fingerprints) is carried out independently by the traveler WITHOUT a local VKG contact person
• Consular and Visa Application Center fees must be paid by you on site (only possible with ATM or in cash)
• Please allow at least 2 hours at the Visa Application Center for independent submission

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How long are the fingerprints valid for?

Fingerprints and the biometric passport photo taken are valid for 5 years from the date the visa is issued. The fingerprints are linked to the passport with which the visa was applied for. As soon as a visa is applied for with a different passport within the 5 years, new fingerprints will be taken. We recommend that you check the validity of your passport and start the visa application process with a new passport if necessary.

Please note the following:

• You may hold 2 passports under certain conditions
• Your employer must issue you with a confirmation that you need another passport as a frequent traveler
• Please keep old passports urgently. These may be relevant for future visa applications

Will fingerprints be taken for all visa categories?

Yes, fingerprints are taken for ALL visa categories, regardless of whether it is a tourist or business trip.