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Visa guide · Indian passport holders

China visa for Indian citizens

Applies via: Embassy/official portalSources checked on

Indian citizens apply for a China visa directly with the embassy or its official visa portal. The published fee for Indian passport holders - Single entry is Rs2900. Processing time (Qualified applications): Usually 3 working days (express) and 4 working days (regular) for processing by the Embassy. Application locations listed include New Delhi (Chinese Visa Application Service Center), Mumbai (Chinese Visa Application Service Center) and Kolkata (Chinese Visa Application Service Center). Sources checked on October 15, 2026.

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China visa for Indians — key facts

Visa fee
Rs2900Indian passport holders - Single entry
Processing time
Usually 3 working days (express) and 4 working days (regular) for processing by the EmbassyQualified applications
Where to apply
3 locations listedNew Delhi (Chinese Visa Application Service Center), Mumbai (Chinese Visa Application Service Center), Kolkata (Chinese Visa Application Service Center)
Insurance required
Not published

Overview

How do Indian citizens apply for a China visa?

Applies via: Embassy/official portal

Who handles applications in India

Regular Chinese visa applications in India are submitted through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC) in New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata according to consular jurisdiction (Mumbai Consulate: Maharashtra and Karnataka; Kolkata Consulate: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal; Embassy in New Delhi: all other areas). Since December 2025 (Embassy Online Visa Application System launched 22 December 2025; mandatory at the New Delhi centre from 20 December 2025, and the Mumbai and Kolkata centres publish the same steps) applicants first pay the centre's service fee online through VFS Global payment pages, then create an account on the Visa Center website, fill the form and upload their documents; only after the status shows 'online review completed' and a confirmation email arrives do they take the original passport to the Visa Center, where no appointment is needed (appointments were removed in November 2023). Diplomatic, official and courtesy visas are submitted to the Embassy's Consular Section or the Consulate General.

Visa on arrival, eVisa or visa-free for Indians?

Visa on arrival
Not available as a routine option: there is no tourist visa on arrival for Indians. China's 'port visa' is only for foreign ordinary-passport holders with an urgent need (urgent business, visiting a critically ill relative, attending a funeral) who could not get a visa in time; it is issued at designated ports (99 ports in 72 cities) and China's immigration authority recommends getting preliminary approval from the port visa authority before travelling.
eVisa / online visa
Not available: China does not issue an eVisa to Indian passport holders. Since December 2025 the form and documents are submitted and pre-reviewed online on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website, but the original passport must still be handed in at the Visa Center, and 'online review completed' is not a visa approval.
Visa-free entry
Not available for regular trips: India is not on China's unilateral 30-day visa-exemption list (as of 17 February 2026), on the 57-country list for 240-hour visa-free transit (August 2026) or among the 59 countries allowed visa-free entry to Hainan (Embassy notice, August 2024). Indians can only use the 24-hour visa-free transit to a third country while staying inside the port's restricted area.

How to apply from India — step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the application form

    Fill in the China visa application form linked from the official pages below.

  2. 2

    Prepare your documents

    Gather the documents listed in the "Documents required" section — the common list plus the checklist for your visa category.

  3. 3

    Book an appointment

    Book an appointment as described on the embassy's official page.

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit at a listed location: New Delhi (Chinese Visa Application Service Center), Mumbai (Chinese Visa Application Service Center) and Kolkata (Chinese Visa Application Service Center).

  5. 5

    Give biometrics

    Attend in person for biometrics where the official pages require it.

  6. 6

    Pay the fees

    Pay the visa fee shown in the "Visa fees" section, plus the service fee.

Steps follow the official pages in the Sources section; always follow the latest instructions there.

Before you apply

Visa fees

How much is the China visa fee for Indian citizens?

  • Indian passport holders - Single entry

    Rs2900

    Reduced fee extended until 31 December 2026. The visa fee is paid at the Visa Center (cash or demand draft in New Delhi; cash only in Mumbai and Kolkata). If an application is rejected the Embassy charges no visa or express fee and both are refunded through the visa centre; centre service fees are non-refundable (Embassy FAQ, May 2025).

  • Indian passport holders - Double-entry

    Rs4400

  • Indian passport holders - Six months multiple-entry

    Rs5900

  • Indian passport holders - 12 months or above multiple-entry

    Rs8800

  • Indian passport holders - Group visa / each applicant

    Rs1800

  • Indian passport holders - Official group visa / each applicant

    Rs1800

  • Express fee / Urgent fee

    Rs1800 / Rs2700 per application

    Not adjusted

  • Z work visa - Indian passport holders

    Rs2900 single entry / Rs4400 double entry / Rs5900 six-month multiple entry / Rs8800 12 months or above multiple entry

    The Embassy's fee notice (4 January 2026) has one fee table for Indian passport holders, set by number of entries rather than visa type, and its FAQ gives the same rupee fees for Indian citizens in general; a Z visa therefore costs the same as any ordinary visa with the same entries, and the Embassy decides the number of entries. Reduced fees valid until 31 December 2026. Express/urgent fee (Rs1800 / Rs2700) and the Visa Center service fee are extra.

  • X1/X2 student visa - Indian passport holders

    Rs2900 single entry / Rs4400 double entry / Rs5900 six-month multiple entry / Rs8800 12 months or above multiple entry

    Same entry-based fee table for Indian passport holders as all ordinary visas (Embassy fee notice, 4 January 2026); no separate student fee is published. Reduced fees valid until 31 December 2026. Express/urgent fee and the Visa Center service fee are extra.

Service fee: Rs 2152 regular service / Rs 3172 express service per application (inclusive of service tax), paid online before the online application is submitted (VFS Global 'China Logistic Fee' pages: INR 1823.73 normal and INR 2688.14 express, taxes additional); optional postal service Rs 1020 (New Delhi and Kolkata fee pages; the Mumbai page lists postal service at Rs 3172); optional Premium Lounge service Rs 3172. The Embassy says VIP service is a third-party service of the Visa Center and is not related to visa issuance or processing time. Non-refundable and adjusted every quarter with the USD-INR exchange rate (CVASC New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata fee pages, October 2026).

Checklist

What documents are required for a China visa from India?

All applicants

8 items
  • Chinese Visa Application Form and Confirmation Page of Online Visa Application
  • Original passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 or more blank visa pages, photocopy of passport information pages, and expired passports within 5 years (plus name-change document if names differ)
  • Two recently-taken colour passport photos (full face, front view, bare head, 48mm x 33mm, within 6 months)
  • Copy of the most recently obtained Chinese visa (if any)
  • Ten fingerprints at the Visa Center (exempt: under 14 or over 70; fingerprinted within past five years with same passport; fingers uncollectible; temporarily, applicants for short-term single/double-entry visas of less than 180 days; diplomatic and official passport holders)
  • Invitation letters should include applicant details, purpose, places and duration of stay, arrival/departure dates, relationship, financial source, and inviter's details with stamp/signature; original may be requested
  • Application accuracy (New Delhi Visa Center, April 2026): the form must be accurate and complete, the phone number and email must be the applicant's own, and copies must be clear; failure to disclose information, concealment or falsification may lead to rejection
  • Photo rules (Embassy FAQ, May 2025): no glasses, hats or headscarves (religious headwear only if the whole face is visible), neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera; a non-compliant photo can get the application rejected or returned

L - tourism

6 items
  • Tour itinerary
  • Hotel order
  • Airline ticket order
  • Bank account deposit proof (no less than 1 Lakh Rupees)
  • Invitation letter from relevant entity or individual when necessary
  • CVASC New Delhi notice (April 2026): personal savings-account statements for the most recent 3 months with a minimum consistent monthly balance of INR 1 lakh, or a personal deposit certificate of a similar amount made at least 3 months before applying; minors may use a parent's or guardian's statement with an authorisation letter signed by the account holder

M - commercial and trade

4 items
  • Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letter
  • Copy of business license of the inviting party
  • Copy of front and back of the inviter's ID card or legal representative's ID card
  • CVASC New Delhi notice (April 2026): the inviting company's business licence must be valid, show the business scope and carry a handwritten Chinese signature, date and note by the responsible person; the inviter's photo ID needs a handwritten Chinese note; the invitation letter must state the purpose, carry a handwritten Chinese signature and the company's official seal (contract or personnel seals not accepted); the cover letter must give the company profile and the specific purpose and exact duration of the trip

F - exchanges, visits, study tours

1 item
  • Invitation Letter issued by relevant entity or individual in China

G - transit

1 item
  • Onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region

Z - work

1 item
  • Valid 'Notice for Foreigner's Work Permit'

X1/X2 - study

2 items
  • Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entity in China
  • Photocopy of 'Visa Application for Study in China' (Form JW201 or JW202)

Q1/Q2 - family of Chinese citizens or PR holders

4 items
  • Invitation letter from Chinese citizen or foreigner with Chinese permanent residence permit
  • Photocopy of inviter's Chinese ID card or foreign passport and permanent residence permit
  • Original and photocopy of relationship certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc.)
  • Embassy FAQ (May 2025): 'family members' for a Q visa are spouses, parents, parents of spouses, children, spouses of children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren; other relatives apply for a tourist or business visa. Minor children are usually interviewed at the Visa Center; families who cannot attend can request an online interview from the Embassy (new-delhi@csm.mfa.gov.cn)

S1/S2 - family of foreigners working/studying in China

5 items
  • Invitation letter from the inviting individual
  • Photocopy of inviter's passport and residence permit
  • Original and photocopy of relationship certification (marriage/birth certificate, kinship attestation)
  • For private affairs: documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs as required
  • Embassy notice (Aug 2024): for S2, 'family members' are spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law

R - high-level talents

1 item
  • Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents

J1/J2 - journalists

2 items
  • Visa Notification Letter from the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (or other authorized units for J2)
  • Official letter from the media organization

C - crew

1 item
  • Guarantee Letter from foreign transport company

D - permanent residence

1 item
  • Original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China

Step 1 - online submission (New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata Visa Centers, from December 2025)

9 items
  • Applies to all applicants except those applying for a Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR visa; diplomatic, official and courtesy visa applicants submit at the Embassy or Consulate General
  • Pay the Visa Center service (logistic) fee online for the chosen service (Express or Normal); the service cannot be changed later
  • Create an account on the Visa Center website for the correct centre and log in
  • Complete the online application form and upload the passport, photo and supporting documents together with the printed payment confirmation email, then click Submit (otherwise the status stays 'Pending')
  • Minors: add child support, paternal and maternal authorization, and family record or birth certificate
  • Upload only previous visas from the last 5 years; attach each photo in its own box
  • If more documents or corrections are requested the status shows 'Rejected': modify and resubmit (status 'Under Review')
  • Once approved the status becomes 'online review completed' and a confirmation email with the 'Visa Application Certificate' arrives; this is not a visa approval - acceptance is confirmed at the Visa Center counter
  • Online payment of the visa fee is not available; it is paid at the Visa Center

Step 2 - at the Visa Center after online approval (no appointment)

9 items
  • Visa Application Certificate (attachment in the approval email)
  • Original passport
  • Recent photo if the uploaded one was non-compliant
  • Original kinship certificate or property title, if requested during online submission
  • Printed barcoded document (TE official invitation / invitation verification), where applicable
  • S, Q, X and Z applicants: submit all documents at the centre; New Delhi says they attend an interview at the Embassy, Mumbai and Kolkata say a possible interview at the Consulate General if informed
  • J applicants: visa application letter signed by their supervisor, invitation letter, copy of professional ID card, detailed visit programme, and an interview
  • Submit within 15 days of receiving the confirmation letter; pay the visa fee at the centre
  • Holders of diplomatic and official passports are exempt from the transfer service fee (New Delhi)

General rules (Embassy notices and FAQs, 2024-2025)

7 items
  • Validity period = the time within which you can enter China; number of entries = how many times you can enter in that period; duration of stay = days allowed after each entry, counted from the day after entry. Staying beyond it without an extension is illegal overstay
  • Visa type, entries, validity and duration of stay are decided by the visa officer according to purpose, length of stay and documents; the Embassy may ask for more documents or an interview
  • 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 (copy of the visa page) and enough passport validity
  • Documents cannot be withdrawn once the application has been submitted to the Embassy, except for humanitarian or force-majeure reasons; a returned application cannot be revived, so an urgent traveller must submit a new application
  • Passport needed urgently 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 the passport and Embassy fees are returned through the Visa Center
  • 'Green channel' at the New Delhi Visa Center for emergencies (medical treatment, visiting patients, funerals) and for the elderly, sick, disabled, pregnant applicants and toddlers: apply without queuing
  • To extend a stay inside China, apply to the local public security exit and entry authority at least 7 days before the visa's permitted stay ends (Ministry of Commerce guide, 2024)

Photo

What are the China visa photo specifications?

Size
48mm x 33mm
Background
Not published
  • Colour, recently taken (within 6 months)
  • Full face, front view, bare head
  • Two photos required

Insurance

Is travel medical insurance required for a China visa?

Not published by VFS Global or the embassy — check the official links below.

Processing

How long does China visa processing take?

Qualified applications
Usually 3 working days (express) and 4 working days (regular) for processing by the Embassy
Collection at Visa Center - New Delhi and Kolkata
Regular: 6th working day after submission; Express: 4th working day (expected). New Delhi express applications must be submitted before 12:00.
Collection at Visa Center - Mumbai
Normal around 5 working days; Express around 4 working days; Urgent around 2 working days (post Consulate approval)
Z work visa
No separate period published. For qualified applications the Embassy's usual processing period (all visa types) is 4 working days regular or 3 working days express, but Z applicants must also attend an interview at the Embassy (New Delhi jurisdiction) or, if informed, at the Consulate General (Mumbai, Kolkata), which can add time. The employer's work permit notice must already be issued before you apply; after entry, anyone working more than 90 days applies for a work residence permit within 30 days.
X1/X2 student visa
No separate period published. For qualified applications the Embassy's usual processing period (all visa types) is 4 working days regular or 3 working days express, but X applicants must also attend an interview at the Embassy (New Delhi jurisdiction) or, if informed, at the Consulate General (Mumbai, Kolkata), which can add time. X1 holders whose visa requires it apply for a study residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Delays
The Embassy says some applications take longer than the expected collection date, for example when the Visa Center asks for supplementary materials; express applications are reviewed first, but approval time depends on the documents being compliant, accurate and sufficient. In April 2026 the New Delhi Visa Center advised applying well in advance because of higher application volumes.

Visa types

Which China visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

Ordinary visas (Embassy notice, Aug 2024)

  • C - crew members
  • D - permanent residence
  • F - exchanges, visits, study tours
  • G - transit
  • J1 - resident journalists (over 180 days)
  • J2 - short-term journalists (up to 180 days)
  • L - tourism
  • M - commercial and trade
  • Q1 - family reunion with Chinese citizens/PR holders (over 180 days)
  • Q2 - family visit to Chinese citizens/PR holders (up to 180 days)
  • R - high-level talents
  • S1 - family of foreigners working/studying in China (over 180 days)
  • S2 - family visit to foreigners working/studying in China (up to 180 days)
  • X1 - study over 180 days
  • X2 - study up to 180 days
  • Z - work

Submitted at Embassy Consular Section

  • Diplomatic visa
  • Official visa
  • Courtesy visa

Study and work visas (long stay)

  • X1 student visa (study over 180 days)
  • X2 student visa (study up to 180 days)
  • Z work visa (with the Notification Letter for Foreigner's Work Permit)

Long stay

China study and work visas for Indians

Z work visa and Foreigner's Work Permit

Work

For Indians hired by an employer in China: the employer first obtains the Notification Letter for Foreigner's Work Permit online in China; you then apply for a Z visa online and at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center for your state, attend an interview, and after entry obtain the work permit and a work residence permit.

  • Valid 'Notice for Foreigner's Work Permit' (Notification Letter) issued to your China-based employer before you apply for the Z visa (Embassy checklist)
  • There is no job-seeker visa: the Embassy's list of ordinary visa types (C, D, F, G, J1, J2, L, M, Q1, Q2, R, S1, S2, X1, X2, Z) has no job-seeker category, and the only work visa, Z, requires the employer's work permit notice
  • The employer applies online through the Management and Service System for Foreigners Working in China on the National Human Resources and Social Security Government Affairs Service Platform (www.12333.gov.cn)
  • Work permit documents: application form; proof of work qualifications; highest degree certificate and professional qualification certificates authenticated by apostille (from Apostille Convention countries) or by a Chinese embassy or consulate; certificate of no criminal record; health examination certificate; job contract or letter of dispatch; valid passport; bareheaded full-face photo taken within 6 months; documents for accompanying family members
  • Work permits are graded Category A, B or C; under the points route, Category A needs at least 85 points and Category B 60 to 85 points (Shanghai Municipal Government guide, August 2026)
  • Points factors include annual salary paid in China (up to 20 points), education (bachelor's 10, master's 15, doctorate 20; only the highest counts), relevant work experience (5 points for the first two years plus 1 per additional year, up to 20), Chinese-language ability (up to 5), age, and extras such as a high-level overseas university or Fortune Global 500 experience (up to 5)
  • Z visa interview at the Embassy for New Delhi-jurisdiction applicants; Mumbai and Kolkata applicants attend at the Consulate General if informed by the Visa Center; fingerprints are collected for Z visas
  • Work of no more than 90 days: work within the time shown on the Z visa. Work of more than 90 days: apply for a residence permit for work within 30 days of entry and work only within the work permit's validity
  • Residence permit application: passport, Foreigner Visa Application Form, 33x48mm bareheaded colour photo on a white background, and documents supporting the purpose; extensions must be requested 30 days before expiry, and a new passport must be updated on the permit within 10 days
Official page

X1/X2 student visa

Study

For Indians admitted to a school or university in China: X1 for study of more than 180 days, X2 for up to 180 days. Apply online and at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center for your state with the admission letter and JW201/JW202 form, attend an interview, and if the visa requires it, convert an X1 into a study residence permit within 30 days of arrival.

  • Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter from the school or other entity in China
  • Photocopy of the 'Visa Application for Study in China' (Form JW201 or JW202)
  • No funds or bank-balance figure is set for X1/X2 visas in the Embassy's checklist; the INR 1 lakh bank proof is listed only for tourist (L) visas
  • Interview at the Embassy for New Delhi-jurisdiction applicants; Mumbai and Kolkata applicants attend at the Consulate General if informed; fingerprints are collected for X1 visas
  • After arrival (if the visa says a residence permit is required): apply in person at the local exit and entry bureau within 30 days with passport and visa, application form, photo, the school's letter confirming the study period and the admission notice or enrolment certificate; permits over one year also need a health certificate (Shanghai Municipal Government guide, 2025)
  • Students who entered China visa-free cannot switch directly to a study visa or residence permit; they must leave and re-enter with an X1 or X2 visa
  • Part-time work or an internship off campus is allowed only after the school and the host organisation's approval is recorded on the residence permit as an 'Internship' annotation
Official page

Q1/S1 family reunion visas (over 180 days)

Family

For Indians joining a Chinese citizen or permanent resident (Q1) or a foreigner working or studying in China (S1) for more than 180 days; apply online and at the Visa Center for your state with an invitation letter and relationship proof, and attend an interview.

  • Q1: invitation letter from the Chinese citizen or permanent resident, copy of the inviter's Chinese ID card or foreign passport and permanent residence permit, original and copy of relationship proof
  • S1: invitation letter, copy of the inviter's passport and residence permit, original and copy of relationship proof (marriage or birth certificate, kinship attestation)
  • Q visa 'family members': spouses, parents, parents of spouses, children, spouses of children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren (Embassy FAQ, May 2025)
  • S and Q applicants are interviewed at the Embassy (New Delhi jurisdiction) or, if informed, at the Consulate General (Mumbai, Kolkata); fingerprints are collected for Q1 and S1 visas
Official page

D visa (permanent residence)

Residence

For foreigners whose permanent residence in China has already been approved by China's Ministry of Public Security; the D visa is used to enter China to take up permanent residence.

  • Original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China
  • Fingerprints are collected for D visas
Official page

Fees and processing times for these routes are listed in the Visa fees and Processing sections above.

Where to apply

Where do Indian citizens apply for a China visa?

  • New Delhi (Chinese Visa Application Service Center)
  • Mumbai (Chinese Visa Application Service Center)
  • Kolkata (Chinese Visa Application Service Center)

Which office covers your state

Embassy of China, New Delhi
All states and union territories not covered by the Mumbai or Kolkata consulates (everywhere except Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal). Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, New Delhi: Concourse Floor, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001; tel +91-9999036735; delhicentre@visaforchina.org; normal submission 09:00-15:00, express 09:00-12:00, collection 14:30-17:00 (Mon-Fri). Embassy consular section (diplomatic/official/courtesy visas, enquiries): Gate No. 4, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021; tel +91-11-24675259 (weekdays 9:00-12:30, 14:30-17:30); new-delhi@csm.mfa.gov.cn.
Consulate General of China, Mumbai
Maharashtra and Karnataka. Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Mumbai: 8th Floor, Mafatlal Centre, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021; tel +91-22-22855271; mumbaicentre@visaforchina.org; Monday-Friday, submission 08:00-14:00 for applicants (08:00-12:00 for registered travel agents), collection 14:00-17:00. Consulate: 11th Floor, Nariman Bhavan, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021; tel +91-22-66324305 ext 12; mumbai@csm.mfa.gov.cn.
Consulate General of China, Kolkata
Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Kolkata: BIPI Building Omega, Ground Floor, Bengal Intelligent Park, Block EP & GP, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700091; tel +91-33-40010210; kolkatacentre@visaforchina.org; submission 09:00-12:00, collection 14:00-16:00 (Mon-Fri). Consulate: EC-72, Sector I, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700064; tel +91-33-23377712 or +91-33-40045211; consulate_kkt@mfa.gov.cn.

Statistics & changes

China visa statistics and recent rule changes

Recent rule changes

  • Chinese Visa Application Service Center New Delhi notice: tourist (L) applicants must show 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 earlier); business (M) invitations and licences must carry handwritten Chinese signatures and the company's official seal.

    Official notice

  • The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India extended the reduced visa fees until 31 December 2026 (Indian passport holders: single entry Rs 2,900, double Rs 4,400, six-month multiple Rs 5,900, 12-month or longer multiple Rs 8,800); express and urgent fees stay Rs 1,800 / Rs 2,700.

    Official notice

  • Fingerprint exemption for all short-term visa applicants (stay up to 180 days) extended until 31 December 2026; fingerprints are still collected for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas.

    Official notice

  • Online Visa Application System launched (mandatory at the New Delhi centre from 20 December 2025): pay the service fee online, fill the form and upload documents, and submit the passport at the Visa Center only after 'online review completed' - no appointment needed.

    Official notice

  • China's National Immigration Administration launched online arrival-card filling (NIA website, NIA 12367 app, WeChat/Alipay mini programs); travellers can still fill it on arrival.

    Official notice

FAQ

China visa for Indians — frequently asked questions

Answers built only from the VFS Global and embassy pages listed in the Sources section.

How much is the China visa fee for Indian citizens?

Indian passport holders - Single entry: Rs2900; Indian passport holders - Double-entry: Rs4400; Indian passport holders - Six months multiple-entry: Rs5900. 6 more fee rows are listed on this page. Service fee: Rs 2152 regular service / Rs 3172 express service per application (inclusive of service tax), paid online before the online application is submitted (VFS Global 'China Logistic Fee' pages: INR 1823.73 normal and INR 2688.14 express, taxes additional); optional postal service Rs 1020 (New Delhi and Kolkata fee pages; the Mumbai page lists postal service at Rs 3172); optional Premium Lounge service Rs 3172. The Embassy says VIP service is a third-party service of the Visa Center and is not related to visa issuance or processing time. Non-refundable and adjusted every quarter with the USD-INR exchange rate (CVASC New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata fee pages, October 2026)..

What documents are required for a China visa from India?

Chinese Visa Application Form and Confirmation Page of Online Visa Application; Original passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 or more blank visa pages, photocopy of passport information pages, and expired passports within 5 years (plus name-change document if names differ); Two recently-taken colour passport photos (full face, front view, bare head, 48mm x 33mm, within 6 months); Copy of the most recently obtained Chinese visa (if any); Ten fingerprints at the Visa Center (exempt: under 14 or over 70; fingerprinted within past five years with same passport; fingers uncollectible; temporarily, applicants for short-term single/double-entry visas of less than 180 days; diplomatic and official passport holders); Invitation letters should include applicant details, purpose, places and duration of stay, arrival/departure dates, relationship, financial source, and inviter's details with stamp/signature; original may be requested. Plus 2 more items listed on this page. Category-specific checklists are listed for 15 visa categories.

How long does China visa processing take for Indians?

Qualified applications: Usually 3 working days (express) and 4 working days (regular) for processing by the Embassy; Collection at Visa Center - New Delhi and Kolkata: Regular: 6th working day after submission; Express: 4th working day (expected). New Delhi express applications must be submitted before 12:00.; Collection at Visa Center - Mumbai: Normal around 5 working days; Express around 4 working days; Urgent around 2 working days (post Consulate approval).

Where do Indian citizens apply for a China visa?

Applications go via Embassy/official portal. Locations listed: New Delhi (Chinese Visa Application Service Center), Mumbai (Chinese Visa Application Service Center), Kolkata (Chinese Visa Application Service Center). Jurisdiction by state: Embassy of China, New Delhi — All states and union territories not covered by the Mumbai or Kolkata consulates (everywhere except Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal). Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, New Delhi: Concourse Floor, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001; tel +91-9999036735; delhicentre@visaforchina.org; normal submission 09:00-15:00, express 09:00-12:00, collection 14:30-17:00 (Mon-Fri). Embassy consular section (diplomatic/official/courtesy visas, enquiries): Gate No. 4, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021; tel +91-11-24675259 (weekdays 9:00-12:30, 14:30-17:30); new-delhi@csm.mfa.gov.cn.; Consulate General of China, Mumbai — Maharashtra and Karnataka. Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Mumbai: 8th Floor, Mafatlal Centre, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021; tel +91-22-22855271; mumbaicentre@visaforchina.org; Monday-Friday, submission 08:00-14:00 for applicants (08:00-12:00 for registered travel agents), collection 14:00-17:00. Consulate: 11th Floor, Nariman Bhavan, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021; tel +91-22-66324305 ext 12; mumbai@csm.mfa.gov.cn.; Consulate General of China, Kolkata — Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Kolkata: BIPI Building Omega, Ground Floor, Bengal Intelligent Park, Block EP & GP, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700091; tel +91-33-40010210; kolkatacentre@visaforchina.org; submission 09:00-12:00, collection 14:00-16:00 (Mon-Fri). Consulate: EC-72, Sector I, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700064; tel +91-33-23377712 or +91-33-40045211; consulate_kkt@mfa.gov.cn..

Can Indians get a China visa on arrival or an eVisa?

Visa on arrival — Not available as a routine option: there is no tourist visa on arrival for Indians. China's 'port visa' is only for foreign ordinary-passport holders with an urgent need (urgent business, visiting a critically ill relative, attending a funeral) who could not get a visa in time; it is issued at designated ports (99 ports in 72 cities) and China's immigration authority recommends getting preliminary approval from the port visa authority before travelling. eVisa — Not available: China does not issue an eVisa to Indian passport holders. Since December 2025 the form and documents are submitted and pre-reviewed online on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website, but the original passport must still be handed in at the Visa Center, and 'online review completed' is not a visa approval. Visa-free entry — Not available for regular trips: India is not on China's unilateral 30-day visa-exemption list (as of 17 February 2026), on the 57-country list for 240-hour visa-free transit (August 2026) or among the 59 countries allowed visa-free entry to Hainan (Embassy notice, August 2024). Indians can only use the 24-hour visa-free transit to a third country while staying inside the port's restricted area.

What photo size is required for a China visa?

Size: 48mm x 33mm.

Which China visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

Ordinary visas (Embassy notice, Aug 2024), Submitted at Embassy Consular Section and Study and work visas (long stay). 22 visa types are listed on this page.

Sources

Sources

Machine-readable version: /visa/india/china/markdown

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