Good news for French business travellers eyeing Asia in 2026: Beijing has extended its 25 % discount on consular visa fees until 31 December 2026. The Chinese embassy in Paris confirmed on 29 December that single-, double- and multi-entry visas will remain at €45 instead of the pre-pandemic €60.
The reduced tariff, first introduced in December 2023 and prolonged once already, applies to all Schengen-area nationals. Service-centre fees (currently €66 in France) are unchanged, but mobility managers still save €15 per traveller on the government portion.
![China keeps reduced visa fees through 2026 – French travellers continue to pay only €45]()
The announcement complements China’s fingerprint-collection waiver and 30-day visa-free policy for short stays by French citizens, both extended to end-2026. The trio of measures signals Beijing’s intent to rekindle business exchanges ahead of the 2027 World Expo in Shanghai.
French companies with manufacturing sites in Suzhou and Shenzhen welcomed the move, noting that travel-budget forecasts for next year assumed a return to the €60 rate. HR teams should, however, remind staff that applicants must submit biometrics at TLScontact centres unless exempt.
Travel-risk consultants advise factoring in longer processing queues after Chinese New Year (mid-February 2026) when demand typically spikes. Early appointment booking via the online system is recommended.
The reduced tariff, first introduced in December 2023 and prolonged once already, applies to all Schengen-area nationals. Service-centre fees (currently €66 in France) are unchanged, but mobility managers still save €15 per traveller on the government portion.
The announcement complements China’s fingerprint-collection waiver and 30-day visa-free policy for short stays by French citizens, both extended to end-2026. The trio of measures signals Beijing’s intent to rekindle business exchanges ahead of the 2027 World Expo in Shanghai.
French companies with manufacturing sites in Suzhou and Shenzhen welcomed the move, noting that travel-budget forecasts for next year assumed a return to the €60 rate. HR teams should, however, remind staff that applicants must submit biometrics at TLScontact centres unless exempt.
Travel-risk consultants advise factoring in longer processing queues after Chinese New Year (mid-February 2026) when demand typically spikes. Early appointment booking via the online system is recommended.
Source: VisasNews
