AHK Greater China is Support Partner of the German Embassy Beijing’s “Eagle Track” Visa Program

On October 12, 2026, German Embassy Beijing and AHK Greater China jointly held the online launch event for the extended “Eagle Track program,” a tailor-made business visa program for further eligible companies operating in China, offering prioritized appointments, reduced documentation requirements and fast-track processing for frequent travels.

The event introduced companies to the scope and benefits of “Eagle Track,” company eligibility requirements, application procedures and processing times. It also highlighted the optional support services provided by AHK Greater China as a support partner of the German Mission’s Eagle Track, including guidance on preparing application documents, assistance with VFS Global appointment scheduling, verification of the Declaration of Compliance and applicant authenticity, visa-related Q&A and application coordination. These member benefits are available now, helping companies arrange business travel to Germany more efficiently and in compliance with the applicable requirements.

“Eagle Track”: Facilitating Business Travel to Germany

“Eagle Track” is a facilitated business visa program for companies in China with frequent travels. It applies within the jurisdictions of the German visa sections in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenyang.

The program offers the following key advantages:

Prioritized appointments: Appointment confirmations are generally issued within 24 to 48 hours through the appointment platform operated by VFS Global;
Reduced documentation: A Declaration of Compliance replaces certain standard supporting documents, reducing the documentation burden;
Longer visa validity: Subject to the applicable requirements, visas may be issued with a validity period of one year or longer.

“Eagle Track” covers genuine and compliant business activities, including negotiations with suppliers and the conclusion of contracts, visits to trade fairs and sales talks, visits to company management, product presentations, initial business contacts and in-house training.

Tourism, private visits, employment, secondment, staff exchange and the taking up of work in Germany are not covered by the program. Companies and applicants must accurately state the purpose of travel and clearly distinguish business visits from other types of travel.

AHK Greater China: A Professional Support Partner for Companies

As a support partner of “Eagle Track”, AHK Greater China offers optional visa support services to German Chamber member companies. These services are designed to reduce internal coordination efforts and improve the quality and efficiency of the application process.

1. Guidance on the Application Process

Upon request, AHK Greater China can support companies in understanding the eligibility requirements and application procedure and provides guidance on preparing the relevant documents, including:

Company information required for program participation;
Confirmation of AHK Greater China membership;
Specimen signatures;
Documents relating to the applicant and the business trip; and
The Declaration of Compliance.

2. Appointment Scheduling and Process Coordination

Upon request, AHK Greater China can assist member companies with scheduling appointments through the dedicated application platform operated by VFS Global and provide guidance on the appointment procedure, submission locations and relevant requirements.

Each company may set up to three accounts on the relevant platform. For companies with multiple business units or subsidiaries, AHK Greater China can also provide support with appointment coordination and compliance reviews in accordance with its arrangements with the German Diplomatic Missions.

3. Verification of Compliance and Applicant Authenticity

To support the compliant use of “Eagle Track”, AHK Greater China can assist with verifying the Declaration of Compliance and the authenticity of applicants upon request. It can also provide guidance on whether a specific business trip falls within the scope of the program.

This support can help companies clearly distinguish business visits from tourism, private visits and employment and reduces the risk of incomplete documentation, inaccurate information or an unclear travel purpose.

4. Visa Q&A and Case-Specific Support

Upon request, AHK Greater China can provide telephone and email support for questions arising during the application process, including:

Visa application procedures;
The scope of the program and document requirements;
Case-specific visa questions;
Guidance on preparing application documents; and
Coordination of appointments and submission procedures.

Through professional visa Q&A support, companies can clarify the relevant requirements in advance and improve the quality of their applications.

5. Preliminary Document Review and Submission Support

Upon request, AHK Greater China can also provide preliminary document review and assist with forwarding or submitting visa applications to the external service provider.

Direct application: The company submits its application directly to the external service provider VFS Global of the German Diplomatic Missions. AHK Greater China is not involved in the application process and no additional service fee is charged;
Optional AHK support: AHK Greater China provides support with application preparation, process coordination and, where requested, submission-related services.

The German Diplomatic Missions are responsible for defining the applicable criteria, requirements, and procedures, as well as for making the final decision on all visa applications. AHK Greater China provides optional support and coordination throughout the application process but does not make visa decisions. The German Diplomatic Missions retain sole authority over all visa-related decisions.

Service Fees

The optional basic support services provided by AHK Greater China are available to members of AHK Greater China for an annual flat fee of CNY 2,000 per company, including taxes.

The following additional services are not included in the annual flat fee and are charged separately per person and transaction:

CNY 680: including submission service;
CNY 200: excluding submission service.

Additional services include preliminary document review and the forwarding or submission of visa applications.

Company Eligibility

Companies may qualify for “Eagle Track” if they meet one of the following sets of requirements:

Large-scale enterprises:

At least 5,000 employees in Germany
Minimum travel volume for the prior-year period

Small and medium-sized businesses and joint-venture partners:

At least two years of approved membership with German Chamber in China;
At least accumulated 20 business trips to Germany within the previous 12 months within the business legal group; and
A German shareholding of at least 30 percent or a parent company headquartered in Germany.

Following accreditation, each company may set up up to three accounts on the VFS Global platform. Applications submitted through the program generally enter the fast-track process and are usually processed within approximately 48 hours.

Strict Compliance Requirements

“Eagle Track” is strictly limited to genuine business travel. Providing false information about the purpose of travel, applying for a business visa for tourism purposes or taking up employment in Germany under the pretext of a business visit may constitute misuse of the program.

Misuse may result in the immediate exclusion of the company from “Eagle Track”. The exclusion applies throughout China, with a minimum suspension period of two years.

Contact

For information about the optional “Eagle Track” support services provided by AHK Greater China, please contact:

AHK Greater China
Email: visa@china.ahk.de
Telephone: +86-21-50815579
Contact person: GONG Ni

For specific questions regarding the program and company accreditation, please contact the relevant visa sections of the German Diplomatic Missions in China: