China Extends Fingerprint Waiver for Short-Term Visas Until End of 2026

China is now making things easier for short-term travellers. Chinese authorities have confirmed that fingerprint collection will stay optional for many short-term visa applicants until December 31, 2026. If you are planning a visit for tourism, business, family reasons, or transit, this change matters.

Here’s what it really means: fewer steps, shorter waits, and no biometric appointment for most short-term visits.

China Extends Fingerprint Waiver

The update comes from the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Starting from December 17, 2025, until the end of 2026, eligible applicants will not need to give fingerprints when applying for a short-term Chinese visa. The stay must be 180 days or less.

This applies to:

• Tourist visas
• Business visas
• Family visit visas
• Transit visas

The rule now also covers multiple-entry visas. Earlier versions of the policy only applied to single and double-entry visas.

To further facilitate the procedure of applying Chinese visa, starting from Dec 17 2025 until Dec 31 2026, fingerprints collection will be exempted for eligible applicants who apply for short-term visas with a stay period of 180 days or less. For D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas… pic.twitter.com/1GMOAtX3Im

— China Consular Affairs (@Consular_CHN) December 19, 2025

Who Still Needs to Give Fingerprints

Not everyone is included. If you are applying for a long-term visa, biometric collection is still required. This includes visas such as:

• D Visa
• J1 Visa
• Q1 Visa
• S1 Visa
• X1 Visa
• Z Visa

These visas are linked to long stays and residence permits, so biometric data is still part of the process.

Embassies Have Already Put This in Place

Chinese embassies and visa centres around the world have started sharing local notices confirming the change.

This includes offices across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania. Many have clearly stated that eligible applicants can submit their applications directly, without booking a fingerprint appointment.

For travellers, this removes one of the more time-consuming steps.

Why China Is Doing This

Fingerprint collection became standard in 2019 for most applicants aged 14 to 70. It was part of stricter biometric rules at the time.

After the pandemic, China slowly began easing entry procedures to encourage travel again. A temporary fingerprint waiver started in August 2023. Since then, it has been extended several times, each time covering more people and more visa types.

The latest extension to December 31, 2026, follows that same path.

More Entry Relaxations for Travellers

Alongside the fingerprint waiver, China has also extended visa-free travel for citizens of 46 countries, including France, Germany, and Japan, until December 31, 2026. Travellers can now complete a Digital Arrival Card, replacing paper forms and helping speed up immigration at major Chinese airports.

What This Means for Travellers

If you are planning a short trip to China in the next two years, the visa process should feel easier.

Less paperwork. Fewer appointments. Faster submissions.

Long-term travellers will still need to complete full biometric checks, but for short stays, China is clearly signalling that it wants to keep the door open and the process simple.