How to Apply for a Czech Schengen Visa From China

Chinese citizens must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to the Czech Republic. The Czech Schengen visa permits stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area, covering 29 European countries on a single document. Processing typically takes two to six weeks, and the application must be submitted in person at a VFS Global visa application center in China. This guide walks through every step of the process in the correct sequence, including what documents you need, how to handle the flight itinerary requirement, and what to expect after submission.

Step 1: Confirm That Czech Republic Is Your Main Destination

If your trip covers multiple Schengen countries, you must apply at the visa center of the country where you will spend the most nights. If you plan to spend equal time in several countries, apply for the first country you will enter. For a trip focused primarily on Prague, the Czech Republic is your correct application country.

Applicants visiting multiple Schengen countries as part of a broader European trip should review the Schengen visa types explained to confirm which category of visa applies to their itinerary before gathering documents.

Step 2: Book Your Visa Application Appointment

Czech visa applications from China are processed through VFS Global, which operates application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and other major cities. You cannot walk in without an appointment.

To book:

1. Visit the VFS Global Czech Republic page for China at visa.vfsglobal.com
2. Create an account and select the Czech Republic as your destination
3. Choose the nearest application center and book your earliest available slot
4. Note the appointment date – your entire document set must be ready by then

Apply no earlier than six months before your intended travel date and no later than 15 days before departure, according to Czech consulate guidelines. Given that processing can take up to six weeks, most applicants should submit eight to ten weeks in advance.

Step 3: Complete the Schengen Visa Application Form

Download the official Schengen visa application form from the VFS Global Czech Republic page or the Czech Embassy website. The form must be completed in English or Czech only – no other languages are accepted.

Fill in every field completely and accurately. Incomplete forms are a common reason for delay or rejection. Sign the form by hand before attending your appointment. Digital or printed signatures are not accepted in place of a wet signature.

Step 4: Gather Your Supporting Documents

The Czech consulate requires a standard set of Schengen documents, plus supporting materials specific to your purpose of travel. The full document checklist for Chinese Schengen applicants covers every category in detail, but the core requirements are as follows:

• Passport: Valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area, with at least two blank pages
• Passport photos: Two recent photos meeting ICAO biometric standards (35mm × 45mm, white background, taken within the last six months)
• Travel insurance: Minimum coverage of €30,000, valid across the entire Schengen Zone for the full duration of your stay – see the Schengen travel insurance requirements for compliant policy specifications
• Flight itinerary: A confirmed travel plan showing your entry and exit from the Schengen Area (see Step 5 below)
• Proof of accommodation: Hotel reservations or an invitation letter for your entire stay
• Proof of financial means: Bank statements from the past three to six months demonstrating sufficient funds
• Cover letter: A brief letter explaining your travel purpose, planned itinerary, and intention to return to China
• Employment or enrollment proof: Employment letter, business registration, or student enrollment certificate confirming your ties to China

Step 5: Obtain a Flight Itinerary Without Buying a Full Ticket

This is the step that causes the most confusion. The Czech embassy requires a flight itinerary showing your planned entry and exit from the Schengen Area but purchasing a fully paid, non-refundable ticket before visa approval is a significant financial risk. A visa rejection after a ticket purchase can leave applicants with hundreds of dollars in unrecoverable costs.

The Schengen visa flight itinerary requirement does not require a paid ticket. Embassies accept a flight reservation – a document showing a confirmed booking with a valid PNR (Passenger Name Record) number that can be verified in airline systems, without the ticket having been fully paid.

ProvisionalBooking issues verifiable flight itineraries for Schengen visa applications that include a real PNR number, full passenger details, route information, and travel dates – the same information an embassy officer checks. A round-trip itinerary costs $19 and arrives via email in under 60 seconds.

What the Itinerary Must Show

• Passenger full name (matching the passport exactly)
• Outbound flight from China into the Czech Republic or another Schengen entry point
• Return flight departing the Schengen Area before the 90-day limit
• Flight numbers, dates, and airline names
• A verifiable PNR code

For multi-destination itineraries covering Prague and other European cities, a multi-city flight itinerary costs $25 and covers all legs of the journey on a single document.

Step 6: Arrange Proof of Accommodation

Every night of your stay in the Czech Republic must be accounted for with a hotel reservation or signed accommodation letter. If staying with a host, a signed invitation letter with a copy of the host's residence permit or Czech ID is required.

Hotel reservations for visa purposes do not need to be pre-paid in full. An instant hotel reservation for visa provides a confirmation document showing your dates and property details for €12, with no obligation to pay for the stay upfront and no cancellation required.

Step 7: Attend Your Appointment and Submit Biometrics

Bring every document in physical form to your VFS Global appointment. Digital copies on a phone or tablet are not accepted at submission. Organize your documents in the order the application form specifies.

At the appointment, VFS Global will:

1. Review your document set for completeness
2. Collect your biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photograph)
3. Collect the visa fee – currently €80 for most adult applicants, plus any applicable VFS service charges

The biometric appointment process is straightforward: fingerprints are taken digitally and stored for five years. If you have submitted a Schengen visa application before and your biometrics are on file, you may not need to re-submit them.

Pay the visa fee at the center. VFS Global accepts multiple payment methods, but confirm accepted methods with your specific center in advance, as this varies by location.

Step 8: Track Your Application and Wait for a Decision

After submission, VFS Global will provide a reference number you can use to track your application status online. Processing typically takes two to six weeks from the submission date. During this period, remain reachable by email or phone – the consulate may request additional documents.

The average Schengen visa processing time from China runs three to four weeks for standard applications. Submitting a complete, well-organized document set is the most reliable way to avoid delays.

Do not purchase flights or non-refundable travel until after the visa has been issued.

Step 9: Collect Your Passport

When your visa decision is ready, VFS Global will notify you by email or SMS. You can collect your passport in person at the application center or arrange courier delivery for an additional fee.

If approved, check the visa sticker carefully before leaving the center:

• Entry dates match your planned travel window
• Number of entries is correct (single, double, or multiple)
• The name and passport number match exactly

If any detail is incorrect, report it immediately at the center before leaving. Errors on a visa sticker must be corrected before travel – an incorrect date or name can cause boarding denial or entry refusal at the Schengen border.

What to Do If Your Application Is Refused

A refused Czech Schengen visa comes with a written explanation. The most common reasons include insufficient financial proof, an incomplete document set, or doubts about the applicant's intention to return to China. Common Schengen visa rejection reasons and how to address each one are worth reviewing before reapplying, as a second refusal on the same grounds significantly reduces approval odds.

Applicants have the right to appeal a refusal. The Schengen visa appeal process must be initiated within the timeframe stated on the refusal notice, which is typically 15 days for applications submitted through VFS Global in China.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Chinese Citizens Need a Visa for the Czech Republic?

Yes. Chinese citizens require a Schengen visa to enter the Czech Republic. There is no visa-on-arrival option and no e-visa for Chinese passport holders traveling to Schengen countries. The visa must be obtained in advance through VFS Global in China before departure.

How Long Does a Czech Schengen Visa Take to Process From China?

Processing typically takes two to six weeks from the date of submission. Most straightforward applications are decided within three to four weeks. Applying at least eight weeks before your travel date gives you a reasonable buffer, particularly during peak summer and holiday seasons when appointment slots and processing times are longer.

Do I Need a Confirmed Flight Ticket to Apply, or Will an Itinerary Work?

A flight itinerary with a verifiable PNR number is accepted by Czech embassies and does not require a fully paid ticket. Purchasing a non-refundable ticket before visa approval carries the risk of losing that money if the application is refused. A provisional flight booking costs $19 for a round-trip and is delivered instantly, giving you the document you need without the financial exposure.

How Much Does a Czech Schengen Visa Cost for Chinese Citizens?

The standard Schengen visa fee is €80 for adult applicants. Children between six and twelve years old pay €40. Children under six are exempt from the visa fee. VFS Global charges an additional service fee on top of the embassy fee, which varies by location – confirm the current VFS service charge at your chosen center when booking your appointment.

Can I Apply for a Czech Schengen Visa If I Am Visiting Other Schengen Countries Too?

Yes, but you must apply at the visa center of your main destination – the country where you will spend the most nights. If the Czech Republic is your primary stop, apply through VFS Global Czech Republic. If you spend more nights in another Schengen country, that country's visa center handles your application instead.

What Financial Proof Do I Need to Show for a Czech Schengen Visa?

Most consulates expect bank statements showing a balance equivalent to approximately €50 to €100 per day of your planned stay, though no fixed amount is officially mandated. Statements should cover the past three to six months and reflect a consistent balance rather than a single large recent deposit. Employment letters, pay slips, and property documents can supplement bank statements to strengthen the financial profile.

What Happens If My Visa Is Approved for Fewer Days Than I Requested?

Consulates sometimes issue visas with fewer validity days or a shorter permitted stay than requested, particularly for first-time Schengen applicants. If the approved duration covers your planned trip, the visa is usable. If the entry window does not match your travel dates, contact the consulate promptly – in some cases an adjustment can be requested before the visa is used.

What to Do Now

Confirm your main Schengen destination, book your VFS Global appointment well in advance, and begin assembling your documents in parallel – not sequentially. The flight itinerary and hotel reservation are the easiest items to obtain and should not be the reason an application is delayed.

For a complete view of what every Chinese Schengen applicant needs to prepare, the Schengen visa document checklist covers the full sequence from passport validity to financial proof.

Get your flight itinerary from ProvisionalBooking – delivered in under 60 seconds, accepted by Czech embassies, and ready to include with your application the same day.