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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 10, 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

Chinese visas in India are not handled by VFS Global; regular visa applications are submitted through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers 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). Applicants fill the online form on the Visa Center website; since 22 December 2025 the Embassy's Online Visa Application System (visaforchina.cn/DEL3_EN) allows filling the form and uploading materials online. Since November 2023 no appointment is required to submit at the Visa Center on working days. Diplomatic, official and courtesy visas are submitted to the Embassy's Consular Section.

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.

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

  • 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

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

Checklist

What documents are required for a China visa from India?

All applicants

6 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)
  • 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

L - tourism

5 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

M - commercial and trade

3 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

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

3 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.)

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

4 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

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

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

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

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)

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. 4 more fee rows are listed on this page.

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); 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. Category-specific checklists are listed for 12 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.

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).

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) and Submitted at Embassy Consular Section. 19 visa types are listed on this page.

Sources

Sources

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

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