Documents from China
Apostille, not embassy legalisation
China joined the Hague Apostille Convention with effect from 7 November 2023. Since then Chinese public documents for Germany need an apostille and no longer a legalisation by the German mission. Documents legalised before that date are still accepted and need no extra apostille (Embassy Beijing leaflets). Hong Kong and Macau issued apostilles even before.
Many papers – school and degree certificates, birth or kinship records – first become a notarial certificate from a Chinese notary office (公证处), and the apostille is then attached to that. Apostilles are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and authorised local foreign-affairs offices. Which office serves your province, and its fees, are not listed here; check the Chinese consular service website.
If anyone offers to "legalise" your papers at the German Embassy for a fee, they are selling something that no longer exists. See Avoiding scams.
Documents you will usually need
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid at least 3 months beyond the visa, with 2 free pages; signed. |
| Senior-middle-school certificate, Huikao, Gaokao results | For APS: CHSI verification reports. Notarised copy and apostille where the university or authority asks. |
| Graduation certificate (毕业证书) and degree certificate (学位证书) | Both are required for work visas. Notarised, apostille, translation for recognition files. |
| Birth, marriage, kinship records | Notarial certificate with apostille and translation – mainly for family members and minors. |
| Employer reference, contract, CV | Translation; private papers are usually not apostilled. |
| Criminal-record certificate (无犯罪记录证明) | Only if a German office asks for it. |
Originals, copies, translations
- The missions want originals plus one set of copies, in the order of their checklist; originals are returned.
- Documents not in German or English need a translation. Which translators are accepted is decided by the office that reads the file – recognition bodies are often stricter than the Embassy. Ask first, then pay.
- Incomplete files delay the procedure and can lead to refusal.
A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.