China Visa for Indians

Anyone from India visiting China needs a visa. Instead of being called a China Visa, a visa granted by China to a prospective tourist is called a Chinese Visa. Given that there are several types of Chinese visas, you should know why you are travelling and what kind of visa you will require.

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Including all the categories and subcategories, there are approximately 16 different types of visas in total. These can include intending to live permanently in China or just wishing to visit the country sometimes. It's important to decide which one fits your condition before applying. 

China Visa

China Visa Types

The main categories of visas available are as follows:

  • C Visa - This is made available to foreign crew members that want to work in China. This may also be applicable to the crew's relatives. All forms of transportation, including land, sea, and air, require a visa. 
  • D Visa - This is issued to those foreign nationals who wish to reside in China permanently.
  • F Visa - You will be given this visa if you are a foreign citizen who wants to travel to China for a brief period, such as a visit or a tour, or for other similar purposes. 
  • G Visa  -This visa is necessary for foreign citizens who plan to utilise China as a transit country.
  • J Visa -  J1 visas are granted to foreign journalists who wish to stay in China for more than 180 days in order to cover news, whereas J2 visas are granted to those who wish to stay in China for less than 180 days in order to cover news.
  • L Visa - If you are a tourist who intends to visit China, you should apply for this visa.
  • M Visa -This visa is issued to those involved in or intend to be involved in commercial and trade activities in China.
  • Q Visa -These are issued to foreign people who are related to people in China, whether they may be permanent residents or citizens of China. While the Q1 Visa is issued to those who wish to stay in China for more than 180 days, the Q2 Visa is issued to those who wish to stay in China for less than 180 days.
  • R Visa -This is issued to foreign nationals who are extremely skilled, highly qualified, or have high-level talents when there is a requirement for those in China.
  • S Visa -This is something like a dependent visa. If there is a foreigner working or studying in China, their relatives can visit them. These relatives will be asked to apply for an S1 visa if they plan to stay in China for more than 180 days. If the stay duration is less than 180 days, the foreign national's relatives will be asked to apply for an S2 Visa.
  • X Visa - Foreign nationals who want to study in China are given this. For individuals who want to study in the nation for a period longer than 180 days, there is the X1 Visa, and for those who want to study for a shorter period, there is the X2 Visa.
  • Z Visa -This is issued to those who wish to work in China.

China Visa Fees

The visa centre will accept both cash and demand drafts for payment of visa fees. The fees will vary depending on the type of visa. The visa fees plus the application service fee will need to be paid. The following table specifies the fees for Indian citizens applying for a visa to visit China:

China Visa Category

Fee in Rupees (INR)*

Single Entry Visa

3,900

Double Entry Visa

5,850

Multiple Entry Visa valid for 6 months

7,800

Multiple Entry Visa valid for 1 year

11,700

Group Visa

2,400

*The fee is subject to change

If a person wishes to collect their visa on the next working day following the date of application, an additional fee of Rs.1,800 will be levied.

The application service fees will be provided through four separate services:

  1. Regular service which takes four working days and costs Rs.1,652 inclusive of GST
  2. Express service which allows collection on the next working day and costs Rs.2,478 inclusive of GST
  3. Postal service which only allows normal service and costs Rs.2,478 inclusive of GST
  4. Premium lounge service that is optional and costs Rs.2,478 inclusive of GST.

Requirements for China Visa

The following things you will need to apply for a China visa -  

  • Passport - Several documents are needed to apply for a visa to travel to China. A passport is the most important document that is needed. This must be valid for up to six months after the individual has left China, and it must have at least two blank pages for the visa.
  • Application form and photograph - You must submit a fully filled-out visa application form with a current photo to apply. There must be colour in this picture. The guidelines also state that the head shouldn't be hidden in the image. You must provide official documentation of your name change if you have changed it.
  • Proof of legal stay - A non-Indian national must present proof of their permission to stay in India while applying from India to visit China. If you have a valid Indian visa or residency permit, you can enter. More details are required if the aforementioned individual is merely temporarily in India on a visa.
  • Previous Chinese Passports or Visas - If an individual was a citizen of China at one point in time and gave it up to get citizenship in another country, they must provide photocopies of their previous Chinese passport. A photocopy of the previous visa must be shown by anyone with a new passport that does not currently hold a Chinese visa.

There are other specific documents that are required for each type of visa, but those given above are common to all visa categories. As with all visa applications, any false information provided will automatically disqualify the applicant from obtaining a visa.

Click here:  China Visa for Indians  

How to Apply for China Visa

To apply for a visa, you must either do it in person at the application facility or grant authorization to someone else to do it on your behalf. Furthermore, the application needs to be turned in at least one month in advance. It is also advised to schedule a time to submit the application.

The passport you sent with your application will be returned to you on the date specified on a form. This form will be sent to you on the day your visa application is submitted.

China Visa Application Center (CVAC) in India

Indian candidates may also submit their visa applications in person at any of the CVAC offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata. On behalf of the Chinese Embassies and Consulates-General, the CVAC offers effective visa application services. Applications for Regular Service are handled in four working days, while those for Express Service are processed in just two.

Indians and foreigners in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal can submit their applications to the CVAC in Kolkata while the CVAC in Mumbai covers the districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The CVAC in New Delhi handles the visa applications for the residents of the regional districts. 

Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in New Delhi

Address: Concourse Floor, Baba Kharak Singh Rd, Hanuman Road Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi - 110 001

Business Hours: Monday-Friday

Application Submission -

Normal Cases: 9:00 to 14:00

Express cases: 9:00 to 11:00 (Travel Agent or representative) 9:00 to 12:00 (Individual Applicants)

Payment and Passport Collection: 9:00 to 14:00 (Normal Cases) 15:00 to 17:00 (Express Cases)

The Centre is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tel No.: 91-11-30013601 / 30013603

Fax No.: 91-11-30013602

E-mail: delhicentre@visaforchina.org

(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays)

Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Mumbai

Address: 1st Floor, Express Towers, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021.

Business hours: Monday-Friday

Submission of applications: 9:00 to 14:00.

Payment and collection: 14:00 to 17:00.

Call: +91-22-22855271

Email: mumbaicentre@visaforchina.org

(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays)

Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Kolkata

Address: BIPI Building Omega, Ground Floor, Bengal Intelligent Park, Block EP & GP, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700091

Office Hours: Monday-Friday

Application Submission -

Normal Cases: 9:00 to 14:00

Express cases: 9:00 to 11:00

Payment and Passport Collection: 9:00 to 17:00

Call: +91-033-40010210

Fax: +91-033-40010207

E-mail: kolkatacentre@visaforchina.org

(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays)

FAQs on China Visa

  • Is it possible to track the status of my application for a Chinese Visa?

    Yes, it is possible to track the status of your visa application. This can be done 24 hours a day, online.

  • When should I make the payment for the visa fees?

    The visa fees should be paid upon completion of the application.

  • An unforeseen circumstance prevents my traveling to China. Can I revoke my visa application if I have already submitted it?

    It is not possible to do so.

  • If I cancel my visa application, will I get refunded for the fees I paid?

    No, it is not possible to get a refund for visa application fees.

  • What is the earliest I can submit an application for a visa?

    The earliest you can apply is three months before your intended travel date. The latest you can apply is one month before your intended travel date.

  • I am not in India at the moment, can I apply for a Chinese Visa from India?

    No, if you are not present in India for the application you cannot apply.

  • How do I pay the visa fees?

    The fees can be paid at the visa centre using either cash or a demand draft. The visa fees are collected on behalf of the Chinese Embassy.

  • How do I make use of the express service?

    This requires submitting your application before 11:00 am and picking up the visa after 3:00 pm the next working day.

  • How long is the validity of a China visa?

    Two entries and one submission After being issued, a China visa is valid for 90 days, or around three months. Because China and India have distinct time zones, you can enter China during the 90 days after the date of issuance. Furthermore, you can enter China on the day of your admission and remain for 30 days, or roughly four and a half weeks (the duration period is specified on the visa label).

  • Will I need a visa to visit China?

    For China, all citizens of India need a visa. You must obtain a Chinese visa from the Embassy or Consulate before your trip if you are visiting the Chinese mainland, whether for business or for pleasure. 

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