Visa application for a British Citizen resident in Switzerland with a C Permit.

Good afternoon,

I am a British Citizen resident in Switzerland with a C Permit. I plan to visit my sister living in China in April 2014 (her husbands is an expat working there).

My questions are:

1) Will I have to go to the Embassy in person (in Bern?);
2) How long does it take approximately?
3) Can I download the Application form from the Chinese Embassy's website?

Many thanks for your replies.

Best regards,
Alison Rochat