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Residence of Chinese citizens
All important information for Chinese citizens staying in Germany.
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What are the entry requirements for Chinese citizens in Germany?
How to apply for a student visa for Germany as a Chinese citizen
How Chinese people obtain a skilled worker visa for Germany
How you can have documents from China recognized in Germany
1. Entry requirements for Chinese citizens
2. Study visas for China
2.1 China Procedure Study Germany
2.2 TestAS procedure
2.3 Gaokao procedure
3. Work visa from China
3.1 Recognition of degrees from China
3.2 Evaluation of Chinese qualifications
4. FAQ Visa for Chinese citizens to Germany
5. Conclusion
1. Entry requirements for Chinese citizens
Chinese citizens generally require a visa to enter Germany. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of travel and the length of stay . For short stays (up to 90 days) for tourism and business trips, a Schengen visa (type C) is usually required. For longer stays (i.e., more than 90 days) for work or study, a D visa is necessary. The visa application must usually be submitted to the German Embassy in Beijing (17, Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600, china.diplo.de ). The German Embassy in China provides relevant information on its website regarding visa applications from China (see Applying for a Schengen visa in China and Applying for a national visa in China ).
2. Study visas for China
Chinese students in Germany face numerous special requirements for university admission . The Academic Evaluation Center (APC) of the Cultural Department of the German Embassy in Beijing has several prerequisites for issuing a German university admission certificate. Generally, Chinese citizens are admitted to German universities via the China Procedure, the TestAS Procedure, and the Gaokao Procedure.
2.1 China Procedure Study Germany
The China Procedure is a special regulation for applicants from the People's Republic of China who wish to study in Germany. The Academic Evaluation Center (APS) of the German Embassy in Beijing or Shanghai is responsible for administering the China Procedure. It serves to verify the authenticity of academic achievements and university entrance qualifications of Chinese applicants. A prerequisite for applying to a German university is the APS certificate, which is issued upon successful completion of the examination. Components of the examination include document review and an interview (for students who have already begun their studies in China), direct document review (for DAAD scholarship holders), and participation in the TestAS (if no completed degree in China has been obtained). In most cases, an application to a German university is not possible without an APS certificate. The Academic Evaluation Center in Beijing providesa separate information sheet for the China Procedure .
2.2 TestAS procedure
The Test for International Students (TestAS) is a standardized aptitude test for international applicants who wish to study in Germany. The test assesses cognitive abilities, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills . It is optional in many degree programs but is sometimes required for certain admission procedures (e.g., for applicants from non-EU countries). The TestAS procedure consists of a general section (test of basic cognitive abilities) and a subject-specific section (e.g., mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, humanities). The test result can improve the chances of admission but does not replace the regular university entrance requirements. The Academic Testing Center in Beijing providesa separate information sheet for the TestAS procedure .
2.3 Gaokao procedure
The Gaokao procedure refers to the possibility of direct admission to German universities with a Chinese Gaokao diploma (the university entrance examination in China). The Gaokao is the central university entrance examination in China and is recognized by German universities as a university entrance qualification in certain cases. A prerequisite for direct application to a German university is a high Gaokao score (which varies by province), proof of a certain minimum score (set by the university), and recognition by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Applicants with a Gaokao generally do not have to attend a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) if their score is high enough. The Academic Evaluation Center in Beijing provides a separate information sheet for the Gaokao procedure .
3. Work visa and skilled worker visa from China
Chinese citizens who wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days require a national visa (D visa). Since the introduction of the Skilled Immigration Act, there are simplified conditions for highly qualified Chinese professionals . Generally, this requires an employment contract with a German company, recognition of foreign qualifications by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), and fulfillment of the general visa requirements.
3.1 Recognition of degrees from China
The recognition of Chinese degrees in Germany is often problematic, as documents are sometimes unavailable (especially from very old educational institutions in China) or do not meet the required format . Although Germany and China have a government agreement on the mutual recognition of equivalencies in higher education , individual recognition of university degrees by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is still necessary in many cases. This so-called certificate evaluation is required to apply for a skilled worker visa for Germany from China.
3.2 Evaluation of Chinese qualifications
For the recognition of Chinese degrees in Germany, the ZAB requires the following documents:
university degree certificate,
Degree award certificate (申请评估的文凭的学位证书, 原始中文文件的简单复印件, 无需翻译) in Chinese,
Graduation certificate (申请评估的文凭的毕业证书, 原始中文文件的简单复印件, 无需翻译) in Chinese,
Overview of subjects and grades for the entire course of study (申请评估的文凭的总成绩表, 原始中文文件的简单复印件, 无需翻译) in Chinese,
CDGDC Degree Award Certificate / CDGDC Degree Verification Report (中国高等教育学位认证报告, 原始中文文件的简单复印件, 无需翻译) in Chinese ( https://xwrz.chsi.com.cn/ ),
CHSI Verification Report for the China Higher Education Qualification Certificate译) in Chinese language. ( http://www.chsi.com.cn/xlcx/bgys.jsp ),
CHSI certificate of subject and grade overview / CHSI Verification Report for the China Higher Education Student's Academic Transcript无需翻译) in Chinese language ( http://www.chsi.com.cn/xlrz/sample_chesat.jsp ),
Certificate from the university about your thesis (如果您研究生成绩表里没有对毕业论文的说明) in Chinese.
Previous university degrees
School leaving certificate
passport
Employment contract
Further information on the evaluation of Chinese qualifications (e.g., costs and duration of the process) can be found on the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education .
4. FAQ Visa for Chinese citizens to Germany
Do I, as a Chinese citizen, need a visa for Germany?
Yes, Chinese citizens need a visa for Germany.
Where do I apply for a visa for Germany?
The visa can be applied for at the relevant visa centers of the German embassy or consulates in China. Currently, processing is handled by VFS Global in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenyang.
Which German diplomatic missions are located in China?
The following foreign missions exist in China:
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Beijing
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Chengdu
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Guangzhou (Canton)
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Shanghai
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Shenyang
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hong Kong (hongkong.diplo.de)
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Germany?
Yes, Chinese nationals generally require a visa to enter Germany – both for short-term stays (Schengen visa, type C) and for long-term stays (national visa, type D).
What is the China procedure for Chinese students in Germany?
The China Procedure is a mandatory preliminary review process conducted by the Academic Evaluation Center (APS) of the German Embassy. Without a valid APS certificate, applying to German universities is generally not possible.
How are Chinese university degrees recognized in Germany?
Recognition is granted by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) through a so-called certificate evaluation. This requires, among other things, the submission of original documents, CHSI/CDGDC verifications, and, if applicable, proof of the final thesis.
5. Conclusion
This page explains the special visa and entry requirements for Chinese citizens in Germany. Chinese citizens generally need to apply for a visa, both for short-term (up to 90 days) and long-term (over 90 days) stays. Of particular relevance for Chinese citizens are student visas (and the corresponding recognition procedures for university admission in Germany) and work visas (and the corresponding recognition procedures for university degrees earned in China).