Patented recently is a nonwoven fabric composed of ultra-fine continuous fibers having a mean fineness of not more than 0.5 dtex is prepared. The nonwoven fabric comprises a water-soluble thermoplastic resin in a proportion of not more than 5% by weight relative to the nonwoven fabric, has an absorbing height of not less than 30 mm as determined at 20.degree. C. after 10 minutes based on Byreck method when the nonwoven fabric immersion-treated for 60 minutes in a water of 80.degree. C. is used, and satisfies the following formula: (B)/(A).gtoreq.0.25, wherein the symbol (B) represents a tensile strength [N/5 cm] in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the nonwoven fabric and the symbol (A) represents a fabric weight [g/m] of the nonwoven fabric. In the nonwoven fabric, not less than 30% of the surface may be coated with the water-soluble thermoplastic resin. The water-soluble thermoplastic resin may be a water-soluble thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol, e.g., a modified polyvinyl alcohol containing an ethylene unit in a proportion of 3 to 20 mol %.The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric composed of ultra-fine continuous fibers, having a high flexibility or softness, and having a high mechanical strength even when the fiber diameter is small, and having an excellent water absorbency, as well as a production process and an application thereof.