China’s Embassy in Singapore updated its visa FAQ on 17 September to confirm that the Chinese government has waived biometric fingerprint collection for all single- and double-entry visas of up to 180 days issued overseas until 31 December 2026. The exemption applies to tourist (L), business (M), family visit (Q2/S2) and short-term study (X2) categories. Under pre-existing rules introduced after the pandemic, most foreign nationals had to provide ten-print fingerprints at visa centres. The waiver is expected to cut appointment times by up to 40 per cent and could ease processing bottlenecks as China courts inbound visitors ahead of the 2027 Beijing World Expo. Visa agencies say applicants should still budget four working days for issuance, but removal of biometric capture means accredited agents can once again submit documents on behalf of travellers—important for corporate group travel. Categories requiring residence permits (Z, X1, S1, Q1, D, J1) remain subject to fingerprinting upon arrival in China. The National Immigration Administration has not announced whether the waiver will become permanent, but officials have framed the move as part of a broader push for “high-level opening-up,” alongside unilateral visa-free trials for 15 countries and online pre-arrival registration.
