How to Apply for China K Visa from Europe (2025)

Apply to the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country of legal residence (where you hold citizenship or residence permit). Major locations include: London (UK), Berlin/Hamburg/Munich/Frankfurt (Germany - apply based on state), Paris (France), The Hague (Netherlands), Rome/Milan (Italy), Madrid/Barcelona (Spain), Brussels (Belgium), Stockholm (Sweden), Vienna (Austria), Warsaw (Poland), Lisbon (Portugal), Athens (Greece), and Dublin (Ireland). You must apply in the country where you hold legal residence - cannot apply as tourist. If you're an EU citizen working in another EU country, apply in your work country (where you have residence registration), not your home country.

Yes, all EU countries and most European nations are Hague Convention members, so apostille (not consular legalization) is sufficient. This is a huge advantage over non-Hague countries like India. Processing is much simpler: (1) Get apostille from your country's designated authority (usually Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Court system), (2) Submit apostilled documents to Chinese embassy. No need for Chinese embassy pre-authentication of educational documents. Processing time: 3-7 days in most European countries. Cost: €15-50 per document. Check your country's designated apostille authority at hcch.net. Many countries now offer e-apostille (digital apostille), which is faster and accepted by Chinese embassies.

Total timeline is 3-5 weeks: Document preparation (1 week), apostille processing (3-7 days - much faster than USA's state-by-state process or India's multi-level attestation), police certificate (1-2 weeks depending on country), Chinese embassy submission and review (2-3 weeks), visa issuance (3-5 days). Europe generally has the fastest processing globally due to the simplified apostille system. For comparison: USA takes 4-6 weeks, India takes 6-8 weeks. Expedited service available in some countries for additional fee (e.g., UK priority apostille €75 extra, reduces time to 2-3 days).

Your EU Blue Card shows you're already recognized as a highly skilled professional, which strengthens your K Visa application (positive signal to Chinese embassy). However, you must resign from your EU job and cancel your Blue Card before moving to China permanently. The Blue Card cannot be maintained while working full-time in China. Important considerations: (1) EU Blue Card advantages: PR path in 2-3 years, family benefits, EU mobility, social benefits, potential citizenship in 5-8 years. (2) K Visa trade-offs: No PR pathway in China, contract-based (usually 2-5 years), but potentially higher salary and career acceleration. (3) Strategic approach: Many professionals do K Visa for 3-5 years to gain China tech experience, then return to EU with stronger resume and negotiate EU Blue Card at higher salary. You cannot hold both simultaneously for work purposes.

Total costs breakdown: Chinese visa fee (€130-160 depending on country and visa duration - UK £130, Germany €140, France €150), apostille fees (€15-50 per document × 2-3 documents = €45-150), police certificate (varies by country: UK £40-60, Germany €13, France free, Netherlands €41, Spain €20-30), notary services if needed (€30-100 for document certification), document translation if not in English (€50-150 - most European degrees accepted as-is if in English), passport photos (€10-20), courier services for document shipment (€20-40). Total budget: €300-600 (approximately $320-640 USD). UK and Switzerland tend to be on the higher end (€500-600); Eastern European countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary) on the lower end (€300-400); Western Europe (Germany, France, Netherlands) in the middle (€400-500).

Post-Brexit, UK applicants follow a separate process from EU countries, but it's equally straightforward. You apply to the Chinese Embassy in London (49-51 Portland Place). Apostille is processed through the UK FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) instead of an EU body. Processing times are similar to EU countries (3-5 weeks total). Apostille cost: £35 standard (5-7 days) or £110 priority (2-3 days). If you currently hold a UK Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2), you must notify the Home Office when leaving the UK permanently. Your UK visa is automatically cancelled when you move to China (you cannot maintain UK work visa while working in China). K Visa and UK Skilled Worker visa cannot be held simultaneously for the same purpose. If you want to return to UK later, you'll need a new visa sponsorship. Brexit does not affect K Visa processing - UK nationals are treated the same as before, just using FCDO instead of EU apostille systems.