The Embassy of Greece has formally reactivated its network of Schengen Visa Application Centres across northern and western China effective 24 February. Centres in Beijing, Shenyang, Jinan, Chongqing, Chengdu and Xi’an are once again accepting short-stay (C-type) and long-stay (D-type) applications after a two-week Lunar New Year shutdown.
The resumption is significant for Chinese corporates and multinationals whose executives route European business travel through Athens due to competitive airfares and Greece’s favourable tax regime for short-term project work. Appointment slots were released online on Tuesday night and filled rapidly, indicating latent demand for Q2 Europe travel.
![Greek Embassy in Beijing reopens all Schengen visa centres after Spring Festival pause]()
For companies that prefer to outsource the paperwork and appointment scheduling, VisaHQ can streamline the entire Greek Schengen visa process. Through its China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/), applicants can complete forms online, receive document pre-checks, and secure submission dates without navigating multiple government sites—helping HR teams cut lead times and lower the risk of incomplete files.
Operationally, applicants must file through outsourcing partner GVCW; walk-ins at the embassy are no longer accepted. Fingerprint data collected within the last 59 months can be reused, which will shorten processing for repeat travellers. The embassy reminded applicants that biometric waiver rules do not apply to first-time travellers or those with new passports, a nuance HR teams should note when scheduling visits.
With Schengen visa demand forecast to peak ahead of Europe’s trade-fair season, travel managers should secure slots at least four weeks in advance and build contingency into project timelines. Greek officials hinted that additional pop-up submission days could be added in May if volumes exceed capacity.
The resumption is significant for Chinese corporates and multinationals whose executives route European business travel through Athens due to competitive airfares and Greece’s favourable tax regime for short-term project work. Appointment slots were released online on Tuesday night and filled rapidly, indicating latent demand for Q2 Europe travel.
For companies that prefer to outsource the paperwork and appointment scheduling, VisaHQ can streamline the entire Greek Schengen visa process. Through its China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/), applicants can complete forms online, receive document pre-checks, and secure submission dates without navigating multiple government sites—helping HR teams cut lead times and lower the risk of incomplete files.
Operationally, applicants must file through outsourcing partner GVCW; walk-ins at the embassy are no longer accepted. Fingerprint data collected within the last 59 months can be reused, which will shorten processing for repeat travellers. The embassy reminded applicants that biometric waiver rules do not apply to first-time travellers or those with new passports, a nuance HR teams should note when scheduling visits.
With Schengen visa demand forecast to peak ahead of Europe’s trade-fair season, travel managers should secure slots at least four weeks in advance and build contingency into project timelines. Greek officials hinted that additional pop-up submission days could be added in May if volumes exceed capacity.
