Indian travellers planning a trip to China must follow a revised visa application process introduced on October 26, 2026. The changes affect where applicants submit their documents, how online applications are reviewed, which fees they pay, and how they complete the final submission process.
The updated China visa for Indian passport holders procedure transfers responsibility for accepting and processing applications from visa application centres to Chinese diplomatic missions in India. Applicants must first complete an online form and upload supporting documents for review. Once their application receives online approval, they must submit their passport and required documents to the relevant embassy or consulate within 30 days.
The new arrangements apply to tourist, business, and other visa categories for travel to mainland China. They also affect consular legalisation services. The changes are intended to simplify direct processing and remove visa application centre service fees for eligible applications submitted after the announced deadline.
Travellers should note that the visa fee charged by Chinese authorities is separate from the service fee previously charged by application centres. The revised process does not mean that all Chinese visa applications are free.
Table of Contents
1. What Has Changed in China’s Visa Process?
The biggest change is that Chinese diplomatic missions in India are directly accepting and processing visa applications from October 26, 2026.
Previously, applicants generally used visa application centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata to submit their applications. Under the revised arrangement, the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai handle applications directly.
Applications from the Kolkata consular jurisdiction are temporarily being handled by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.
The transition also affects people applying for consular legalisation of documents.
Key Changes at a Glance
- Direct processing: Applications are submitted to the relevant Chinese diplomatic mission after online review approval.
- Mandatory online review: Applicants must complete the online form and upload supporting documents before visiting the mission.
- Service fee removal: Eligible online applications submitted after 5pm on October 23, 2026, do not attract the former visa application centre service fee.
- Document collection deadline: Applicants who had already submitted documents through the centres could collect processed documents until noon on October 30, 2026.
- Updated jurisdiction: Applicants must check which Chinese mission is responsible for their state or Union Territory.
These changes mean travellers should not automatically follow older instructions that direct them to a visa application centre.
For the latest requirements, consult the official Chinese Embassy visa notices.
2. Which Chinese Embassy or Consulate Should You Apply To?
Your place of residence determines which Chinese diplomatic mission should handle your application.
The revised arrangements divide responsibility between the embassy in New Delhi and the consulate in Mumbai.
| State or region | Where to apply |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai |
| Karnataka | Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai |
| West Bengal | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, temporarily |
| Bihar | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, temporarily |
| Jharkhand | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, temporarily |
| Odisha | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, temporarily |
| Chhattisgarh | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, temporarily |
| All other Indian states and Union Territories | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi |
The temporary handling arrangement for West Bengal and the other listed states is important because travellers may otherwise select the wrong office and experience delays.
For consular legalisation, the relevant jurisdiction is determined by where the documents were issued rather than simply where the applicant lives.
Applicants should verify the latest instructions before submitting their forms, especially if they live near a jurisdictional boundary or are applying through an authorised representative.
3. How to Apply for a Chinese Visa Online
The revised China visa for Indian passport holders process begins online. Applicants must receive approval of their uploaded documents before submitting their passports in person.
Step 1: Complete the Online Application
Visit the official Chinese visa application portal:
https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA
Complete the application form carefully. Your personal details, travel purpose, and contact information should be accurate and consistent with your supporting documents.
Step 2: Upload Supporting Documents
Upload the documents required for your visa category. Tourist, business, work, and study applications can have different requirements, so do not assume one checklist applies to every traveller.
Make sure scans and photographs are clear, complete, and readable.
Step 3: Wait for Online Review Approval
Submit the application for online review and wait for the approval notification by email.
Do not proceed to the in-person submission stage until the online review has been approved.
Step 4: Submit Your Passport and Documents
After receiving approval, submit your passport, application form, and relevant supporting documents to the designated embassy or consulate within 30 days.
Fingerprints may also be collected if required for your visa category.
Applicants should follow the mission’s latest instructions about submission arrangements and operating hours.
Step 5: Pay the Visa Fee and Collect Your Passport
The official guidance states that applicants pay the applicable visa fee when collecting their passport on the expected collection date shown on the collection slip.
Payment instructions are specific: the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in India currently accept bank-printed demand drafts rather than cash or personal cheques. Check the relevant mission’s instructions for the correct payee and documentation.
Completing the online form is only one stage of the process. Travellers should allow time for online review, in-person submission, and final processing.
4. Chinese Visa Fees for Indian Passport Holders
The reduced Chinese visa fee schedule for Indian passport holders remains in effect until December 31, 2026, according to the embassy’s published notice.
The following are the listed visa fees:
| Visa category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa | ₹2,900 |
| Double-entry visa | ₹4,400 |
| Six-month multiple-entry visa | ₹5,900 |
| Multiple-entry visa valid for 12 months or longer | ₹8,800 |
| Group visa, per applicant | ₹1,800 |
The appropriate visa category depends on the purpose and circumstances of the trip. Travellers should confirm which category applies before paying.
Has the Visa Application Service Fee Been Removed?
Yes, for eligible applications submitted after the announced deadline.
Online applications submitted after 5pm on October 23, 2026, do not attract the former visa application centre service fee under the published arrangement. Service fees already paid for applications submitted before that time are non-refundable under the notice.
However, the Chinese visa fee still applies. Applicants should also check whether any expedited processing charge is relevant to their application.
Express and Urgent Processing Charges
The official fee schedule lists the following additional charges:
| Processing option | Published processing time | Additional fee |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | 7 working days | No expedited fee |
| Express | 4 working days | ₹1,800 |
| Urgent, if available | 2 working days | ₹2,700 |
Processing time is calculated from the day after the passport is submitted, according to the official guidance. The online review stage occurs before that point and may add to the overall waiting period.
Expedited processing should not be assumed to be available for every application. Confirm eligibility and current arrangements with the relevant mission before making travel plans.
Read the official Chinese Embassy fee schedule before preparing your payment.
5. Fingerprint Exemptions and Biometric Rules
Another important change for travellers is the temporary exemption from fingerprint collection for eligible short-term visa applicants.
Under the current arrangement, fingerprint collection is waived until December 31, 2026, for applicants seeking short-term visas for stays of no more than 180 days.
This can make the application process more convenient for many tourists and short-term visitors.
Who May Still Need to Provide Fingerprints?
The exemption does not cover every visa category. Applicants for certain long-term visas and visas associated with residence permits may still be required to provide fingerprints.
The published guidance specifically identifies categories including D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, and Z visas, as well as applicants for stays exceeding 180 days and certain multiple-entry visas.
The rules also provide separate exemptions for certain applicants, including people under 14 or over 70, eligible diplomatic or official applicants, and some people whose fingerprints were already collected for a Chinese visa using the same passport within the previous five years.
Because these rules depend on visa type and individual circumstances, applicants should check the official requirements rather than assuming they are exempt.
6. Photo and Financial Document Requirements
Incorrect photographs or incomplete financial documents can delay a visa application. Applicants should check the official checklist for their visa category before uploading files.
Chinese Visa Photo Size
The specified photo size is 33mm wide by 48mm high, with a white background. Photographs should be recent, taken within the previous six months, and meet the other stated requirements.
The commonly used Schengen visa photo size of 35mm by 45mm does not match the specified Chinese visa photo dimensions.
Applicants should avoid submitting photographs with unsuitable dimensions, unclear details, reflections, or cropped edges.
Passport Requirements
The embassy’s general document guidance states that the passport should:
- Remain valid for more than six months.
- Have at least two blank visa pages.
- Include the required passport information page and relevant previous passport details.
- Be accompanied by supporting documents required for the applicant’s category.
Applicants should check whether additional information is needed if their name differs between current and previous passports.
Financial Documents for Tourist Visas
According to the published guidance, tourist visa applicants should provide personal savings account statements covering the previous six months, showing a consistent average monthly balance of at least ₹1 lakh.
Alternatively, an eligible personal deposit certificate for a similar amount may be submitted, provided it was issued at least three months before the application date and carries the bank’s official signature and stamp.
Additional requirements may apply in special circumstances, including applications for minors.
Business and Other Visa Categories
Business applicants may need invitation documents and company information that clearly explain the purpose and duration of their trip.
Work, study, family, and other visa categories can require different supporting documents. Applicants should use the checklist for their specific category rather than relying solely on general travel advice.
7. How Long Does Chinese Visa Processing Take?
The official guidance lists regular processing at seven working days after passport submission, with express processing listed at four working days and urgent processing at two working days where available.
These periods do not necessarily include the time needed to complete the mandatory online review.
Travellers should therefore avoid booking their entire trip around the shortest published processing time.
When Should You Apply?
As a practical precaution, consider beginning the application process four to six weeks before departure. This allows time for the online review, document submission, possible corrections, and processing.
The actual time required can vary according to the visa category, application completeness, public holidays, and the workload of the relevant mission.
If your travel dates are fixed, confirm the latest processing information directly with the embassy or consulate before making non-refundable bookings.
8. Important Tips Before Travelling to China
The revised arrangements apply to travel to mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao have separate entry and visa procedures, so travellers visiting either destination should check the applicable rules independently.
Before submitting an application, make sure you have:
- Selected the correct Chinese diplomatic mission.
- Completed the online application and received review approval.
- Prepared a passport meeting the validity and blank-page requirements.
- Uploaded the correct photo and supporting documents.
- Checked the visa fee and demand-draft payment instructions.
- Confirmed whether fingerprints are required for your visa category.
- Allowed sufficient time for processing and document corrections.
Applicants who used the old visa application centres should pay particular attention to the transition arrangements and collection deadlines.
For more travel updates, readers can also explore related coverage on DigiSmarties.
Final Outlook
China’s revised visa application process introduces an important change for Indian travellers by shifting application handling to Chinese diplomatic missions and requiring online document review before in-person submission.
Although eligible applications no longer attract the former visa application centre service fee, the Chinese visa fee remains payable. Applicants must also follow the correct jurisdiction, photo specifications, supporting-document requirements, and payment instructions.
The best way to avoid delays is to start early, submit accurate information, and check the latest official guidance before visiting the embassy or consulate.
For anyone planning a China trip, understanding these changes before applying can help prevent unnecessary delays and make the visa process more straightforward.
