From October 26, 2026, the way Indians apply for a China visa has changed. The Chinese Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata no longer accept new applications. Instead, the Embassy of China in New Delhi and the Consulate General of China in Mumbai now accept and process visa applications and consular legalisation requests directly.
You must also complete an online application and wait for preliminary approval before you can submit your passport. Here is everything Indian travellers need to know before applying.
What has changed in the China visa process?
- Direct submission: Applications now go straight to the Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, based on where you live.
- Online application first: You fill in the form and upload documents on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal. No fee is payable at this stage.
- Visa centre closure: The Chinese Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata stopped accepting new applications on October 26, 2026.
- No service fee: Online applications submitted after 5:00 pm on October 23, 2026 do not attract the visa application centre service fee. Fees already paid on earlier applications are not refunded.
- Demand draft payment: Fees are temporarily accepted only by bank demand draft, payable when you collect your passport.
These rules apply to mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao have separate immigration requirements.
Which Chinese Embassy or Consulate should you apply to?
| Where you live | Where to apply |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra and Karnataka | Consulate General of China, Mumbai |
| West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh | Embassy of China, New Delhi (temporary arrangement) |
| All other states and union territories | Embassy of China, New Delhi |
Residents of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh fall under “all other states and union territories”, so they apply through the Embassy in New Delhi. The same jurisdiction rules apply to consular legalisation, based on where the document was issued.
How to apply for a China visa from India: step by step
- Apply online. Go to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal (consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA), fill in the application form, upload your documents and submit them for online review. No payment is needed.
- Wait for approval. You will get an email once your application is preliminarily approved.
- Submit in person within 30 days. Take your passport, application form and supporting documents to the designated Embassy or Consulate. Fingerprints are collected where required.
- Collect your passport and pay. Visa fees are payable by demand draft when you collect your passport, on the date shown on your collection slip.
Applicants for diplomatic, official and courtesy visas must book an appointment by telephone before submitting documents. Applications by post or fax are not accepted.
Documents required for a China visa
General documents for all applicants
- Completed visa application form
- Passport valid for more than six months with at least two blank visa pages
- Copy of the passport information page, and of any passport issued in the past five years
- Two recent colour photographs (48 mm x 33 mm, white background, taken within the last six months)
- Details of Chinese visas obtained in the last three years, if applicable
Additional documents in specific cases
- Non-Indian nationals applying in India: valid proof of visa, residence, employment or study status in India
- Applicants under 18: birth certificate, guardian’s identity documents and a consent letter
- Applications through a travel agent: the agency’s qualification documents and the representative’s identity document
Documents by visa category
| Visa type | Key supporting documents |
|---|---|
| Tourist (L) | Itinerary, hotel and round-trip flight bookings, 6 months of personal bank statements showing a consistent average monthly balance of at least Rs 1 lakh (or a deposit certificate for a similar amount issued at least 3 months before applying), invitation letter where applicable |
| Business (M) | Invitation letter from a Chinese trade partner or organisation, plus exhibition invitations or business registration documents depending on the purpose |
| Exchange and non-commercial visits (F) | Invitation letter from the organisation or individual in China |
| Transit (G) | Confirmed onward air, train or ship tickets to another country or region |
| Work (Z) | Short-term Work Permit in China for Foreigners or a Notice for Foreigner’s Work Permit |
| Student (X1 and X2) | Admission and other educational documents. X1 is for study beyond 180 days; X2 is for shorter programmes |
Other categories, such as family visits, permanent residence, journalists, high-level talent and transport crew, have their own document lists.
China visa fees for Indian passport holders
The reduced fee schedule for Indian passport holders remains in effect until December 31, 2026.
| Visa type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa | Rs 2,900 |
| Double-entry visa | Rs 4,400 |
| Six-month multiple-entry visa | Rs 5,900 |
| Multiple-entry visa valid for 12 months or longer | Rs 8,800 |
| Group visa (per applicant) | Rs 1,800 |
| Official group visa (per applicant) | Rs 1,800 |
Faster processing (where available)
- Express service: additional Rs 1,800
- Urgent service: additional Rs 2,700
Eligible third-country passport holders applying in India pay between Rs 2,000 for a single-entry visa and Rs 6,100 for a multiple-entry visa valid for 12 months or longer. Some nationalities are covered by separate arrangements.
How to pay: demand draft rules
- Only bank-printed demand drafts are accepted for now. Cash, personal cheques and other payment methods are not accepted.
- Write your full name, collection slip number and contact telephone number on the back of the draft.
- For New Delhi, make the draft payable to CHINESE EMBASSY, NEW DELHI.
- For Mumbai, make it payable to CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN MUMBAI.
Fingerprint and biometric rules
Most short-term applicants, including tourists on L visas and business travellers on M visas, are temporarily exempt from fingerprinting if their stay is 180 days or less. Applicants for long-term study (X1), work (Z) and family reunion (Q1/S1) visas must still give fingerprints in person.
Photo requirements
Photos must be exactly 33 mm x 48 mm with a white background. The common Schengen size of 35 mm x 45 mm is rejected during online verification.
Processing time and when to apply
- Regular processing takes four working days after submission.
- Express processing takes two to three working days.
- The online review stage adds waiting time before you can submit your passport.
- Start at least four to six weeks before your travel date.
Consular legalisation: what has changed
Legalisation requests now also go directly to the Embassy or Consulate, with no appointment needed. You need the prescribed form, identity documents, and the original and one copy of the document.
- Indian documents for use in mainland China must first be notarised in India and then legalised by the Ministry of External Affairs or its authorised offices.
- The Hague Apostille Convention does not apply between India and mainland China, so consular legalisation is required.
- Regular processing takes four working days. Express service in two to three working days is available through the Embassy.
Important dates
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| October 23, 2026, 5:00 pm | Online applications after this time carry no visa centre service fee |
| October 26, 2026 | Embassy and Consulate start direct acceptance. Visa centres stop taking new applications |
| October 30, 2026, 12:00 noon | Last time to collect processed passports and documents from the old visa centres |
| December 31, 2026 | Reduced visa fee schedule for Indian passport holders remains in effect until this date |
Tips for travel agents and applicants
- Plan for the 30-day window to submit physical documents after online approval.
- Keep the document checklist for your visa category ready before you start the online form.
- Prepare the demand draft for the right mission, since New Delhi and Mumbai have different payee names.
- Check the official Chinese Embassy and Consulate websites for updates, as the demand draft payment and eastern India arrangements are described as temporary.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I still apply through the Chinese Visa Application Centre?
No. The centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata stopped accepting new applications on October 26, 2026. You can collect already processed documents until 12:00 noon on October 30, 2026.
2. Do I have to apply online first?
Yes. Complete the online form and wait for the approval email before submitting your passport.
3. How long do I have to submit my passport after online approval?
Within 30 days of approval.
4. Where do residents of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh apply?
At the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.
5. Is the visa application centre service fee still charged?
Not for online applications submitted after 5:00 pm on October 23, 2026. Earlier fees are not refunded.
6. Can I pay by cash, cheque or online?
No. Only bank-printed demand drafts are accepted for now.
7. Is fingerprinting required for a tourist visa?
Not for stays of 180 days or less on L and M visas. X1, Z and Q1/S1 applicants must give fingerprints in person.
8. Which photo size is accepted?
33 mm x 48 mm with a white background. Schengen-size photos are rejected.
9. How much bank balance is needed for a tourist visa?
Six months of bank statements showing a consistent average monthly balance of at least Rs 1 lakh, or an eligible deposit certificate for a similar amount issued at least three months before applying.
Need help with your China visa or travel documents?
The new process has more steps and stricter document checks, and small mistakes can delay your application. Abroad Gateway in Chandigarh and Mohali can guide you through documentation and planning. Contact us for a free consultation.
