China Visa FAQs for Indians: 25 Questions Answered

The answers below are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026: the Embassy of China in New Delhi, the Consulates General in Mumbai and Kolkata, the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC) and China's National Immigration Administration.

Do Indians need a visa for China?

1. Do Indian passport holders need a visa to visit China?

Yes, for regular trips. India is not on China's unilateral 30-day visa-exemption list (as of 17 February 2026), not on the 57-country list for 240-hour visa-free transit (August 2026), and not among the 59 countries allowed visa-free entry to Hainan.

2. Can Indians get a visa on arrival in China?

Not as a routine option. China's 'port visa' is only for urgent needs such as urgent business, visiting a critically ill relative or attending a funeral. It is issued at 99 ports in 72 cities, and preliminary approval before travel is recommended.

3. Can I transit through China without a visa?

Only through the 24-hour visa-free transit to a third country, and only while you stay inside the port's restricted area.

4. Does China issue an eVisa to Indians?

No. Since December 2025 the form and documents are submitted and pre-reviewed online, but your original passport must still be handed in at the Visa Center.

5. Which visa type do I need?

L is for tourism, M for business and trade, F for exchanges and study tours, Q2 or S2 for short family visits, X1 or X2 for study and Z for work.

Where and how do Indians apply?

6. Which visa centre should I use?

It depends on where you live. The Mumbai Consulate covers Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Kolkata Consulate covers Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. The Embassy in New Delhi covers every other state and union territory.

7. Do I need an appointment?

No. Online appointments were cancelled from 20 November 2023, and you walk in only after the online review is complete.

8. How does the online application work?

Pay the centre's service fee online through the VFS Global payment pages, create an account on the Visa Center website, fill the form, upload your passport, photo and documents with the printed payment confirmation, and click Submit. The system became mandatory at New Delhi from 20 December 2025.

9. Does 'online review completed' mean my visa is approved?

No. It means your file passed the online check and you receive a 'Visa Application Certificate'. Acceptance is confirmed at the counter, and the Embassy still decides the visa.

10. How soon must I go to the Visa Center after online approval?

Within 15 days of receiving the confirmation. Bring the Visa Application Certificate and your original passport, plus anything requested online, such as an original kinship certificate.

How much does a China visa cost in India?

11. What is the China visa fee for Indians?

The fee is set by number of entries, not visa type. The reduced rates in the table were extended until 31 December 2026 by the Embassy's notice of 4 January 2026.

12. What does the Visa Center charge?

Rs 2152 for regular service or Rs 3172 for express, inclusive of tax, paid online before you submit. The fee is non-refundable and adjusted every quarter with the USD-INR rate.

13. How much extra is express or urgent service?

The Embassy's express fee is Rs 1,800 and the urgent fee Rs 2,700 per application, on top of the visa fee.

14. Do I get money back if my visa is rejected?

Partly. The Embassy charges no visa or express fee for a rejected application and refunds both through the visa centre. Centre service fees are not refunded.

15. How do I pay the visa fee?

At the Visa Center, not online: cash or demand draft in New Delhi, and cash only in Mumbai and Kolkata.

Which documents and biometrics are required?

16. What documents does a tourist (L) visa need?

The form and online confirmation page, your passport valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages, copies, two photos, plus a tour itinerary, hotel order, airline ticket order and bank deposit proof.

17. How much bank balance do I need?

The CVASC New Delhi notice of 9 April 2026 asks for personal savings-account statements for the last 3 months with a minimum consistent monthly balance of INR 1 lakh, or a deposit certificate of a similar amount made at least 3 months before applying.

18. What photo size does China want?

48mm x 33mm, in colour, taken within 6 months, full face and bare head. No glasses, hats or headscarves; religious headwear only if the whole face is visible.

19. Do I need to give fingerprints?

Not for short-term visas of up to 180 days: that exemption runs until 31 December 2026. Fingerprints are still collected for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas.

20. What must a business (M) invitation include?

At New Delhi, the invitation needs a handwritten Chinese signature and the company's official seal; contract or personnel seals are not accepted. The inviting company's business licence must also be valid and signed.

How long does it take, and what happens after?

21. How long does China visa processing take?

The Embassy usually processes qualified applications in 4 working days (regular) or 3 (express). New Delhi and Kolkata expect collection on the 6th working day (regular) or 4th (express); Mumbai quotes around 5, 4 or 2 working days for normal, express and urgent.

22. Will I get a multiple-entry visa on my first application?

Usually not. First-time applicants are generally issued a single-entry visa. To ask for double or multiple entries, show a Chinese visa obtained in the past five years.

23. What do validity, entries and duration of stay mean?

Validity is the period in which you can enter China. Entries are how many times you can enter in that period. Duration of stay is the days allowed after each entry, counted from the day after entry.

24. What if I need my passport back during processing?

Submit a withdrawal letter with the reason through the Visa Center. Once the Embassy approves it, the application is treated as withdrawn and your passport and Embassy fees are returned.

25. Can I extend my stay inside China?

Yes, by applying to the local public security exit and entry authority at least 7 days before your permitted stay ends. Overstaying without an extension is illegal.

For eligibility, centres and long-stay routes in one place, see our China visa guide for Indians, and check the Embassy's latest visa notices before you apply.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares the itinerary, flight reservation, hotel booking and cover letter that a tourist file asks for. Packages run from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

How do minors apply for a China visa from India?

In the online application, minors add child support, paternal and maternal authorization and a family record or birth certificate. For the tourist bank requirement, a minor may use a parent's or guardian's statement with an authorisation letter signed by the account holder.

Do student and work visa applicants attend an interview?

Yes. S, Q, X and Z applicants submit all documents at the centre and attend an interview at the Embassy for New Delhi jurisdiction, or at the Consulate General in Mumbai or Kolkata if informed. This can add time to the usual processing period.

Is there priority service for emergencies at the New Delhi Visa Center?

Yes. A 'green channel' at the New Delhi Visa Center lets applicants with emergencies such as medical treatment, visiting patients or funerals apply without queuing. It also serves elderly, sick, disabled and pregnant applicants and toddlers.

Can I fill China's arrival card online?

Yes. China's National Immigration Administration launched online arrival-card filling on 20 November 2025 through its website, the NIA 12367 app and WeChat or Alipay mini programs. Travellers can still fill the card on arrival.