China is a beautiful country with a culture that is as diverse and vibrant as any other. As such, it is a worthy inclusion on any traveler’s bucket list of destinations they’d want to visit one day. India, too, has seen a rising interest in China. In 2026, the country is witnessing an increase in visitors from India, be it for leisure or trade. If you’re looking to travel to this vibrant country from India, but are intimidated by the visa procedure, fret not! We’ve created this handy-dandy step-by-step guide that lets you know what the China visa application process for Indian citizens is.
Types Of China Visa For Indian Passport-Holders
While China does not have a visa-on-arrival policy for Indian passport-holders, its visa application process is quite straightforward. It has a hybrid application process, which means that part of the process is completed virtually, but the remaining procedure must be done in person.
As of now, there are two types of visas that China has for Indian passport holders. They are as follows:
China Tourist Visa (L Visa): This visa is intended for leisure travel, sightseeing, and visiting family or friends in mainland China.
China Business Visa (M Visa): This type of visa is required for commercial and trade activities, corporate meetings, and trade fair visits.
Also Read: Indians Can Now Apply for China Visa Online: Here’s What You Need To Know
What Documents Are Needed For A China Visa?
Here is the exhaustive list of China visa documents required for Indian passport holders:
General (Required For All Types Of Visa)
- Passport With Sufficient Validity: A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay duration with a minimum of two blank pages.
- Passport-Size Photographs: Exactly two recent physical color photographs (33 mm x 48 mm) against a strict white background, taken with a neutral expression and no spectacles. An electronic version must also be ready for upload
- Proof of Funds: Authenticated bank statements from the last six months showing a consistent, stable ending balance of at least INR 1,00,000 (temporary/sudden deposits are flagged and rejected).
For Tourist Visa Specifically:
- Travel Itinerary: A detailed, day-by-day travel itinerary alongside confirmed hotel booking vouchers and round-trip flight reservations.
For Business Or If Staying With Relatives:
- Invitation Letter: A formal, signed invitation letter from the host or Chinese company inviting you alongside their official credentials.
Travel Insurance: While not legally mandatory like a Schengen visa, carrying valid travel insurance with medical coverage for your stay is highly recommended to prevent unexpected financial strain abroad.
Also Read: India Reopens Tourist Visas For China After Galwan Freeze
How Can Indians Apply For China Visa? Step-By-Step Guide
As mentioned above, the visa process for China is a hybrid one. The Chinese Embassy relies on outsourced centers to manage administrative intake. You cannot walk directly into an embassy or consulate; instead, you must submit your application through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC), which operates physical branches in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
Step 1: China Visa Application Online India Portal And Process
(i) Register an account on the official Consular Affairs website or the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) portal.
(ii) Initiate the China visa application online process in India by logging onto the official China Online Visa Application (COVA) portal.
(iii) Carefully fill out the multi-page digital visa application form. Ensure every section — including your work history, family background, and host details — is completely accurate and matches your passport perfectly. Upload a high-resolution digital version of your passport photograph. Once submitted, download and print the complete form, and physically sign the confirmation page.
Step 2: Complete the China Visa Appointment Process in India
After filling out your COVA form, navigate to the CVASC scheduling system to secure a drop-off date. The China visa appointment process in India requires you to book a specific date and time slot to present your physical papers at the center holding jurisdiction over your state of residence. Print out your official appointment confirmation letter.
Step 3: Attend Your Biometric Appointment And Submission
(i) On the day of your appointment, visit your designated CVASC branch with your printed application form, core checklist documents, and your physical passport.
(ii) Center officials will manually verify your documents. Once cleared, you will proceed to a mandatory biometric appointment booth inside the center, where your digital fingerprints and facial scan will be securely harvested for embassy records. While a formal visa interview is rarely requested for standard tourist and business applicants, the embassy reserves the right to call you in for a chat if they spot irregularities in your travel itinerary.
Also Read: India Resumes Tourist Visas For Chinese Tourists After 5-Year Gap
How Much Does China Visa Cost?
Here is the updated fee schedule enforced by the Chinese Embassy in India and CVASC:
Single Entry
Official Embassy Fee: INR 2,900
Mandatory CVASC Fee: INR 2,085
Total Estimated Cost: INR 4,985
Double Entry
Official Embassy Fee: INR 4,400
Mandatory CVASC Fee: INR 2,085
Total Estimated Cost: INR 6,485
6-Month Multiple Entry
Official Embassy Fee: INR 5,900
Mandatory CVASC Fee: INR 2,085
Total Estimated Cost: INR 7,985
1-Year Multiple Entry
Official Embassy Fee: INR 8,800
Mandatory CVASC Fee: INR 2,085
Total Estimated Cost: INR 10,885
Visa Processing Time
- Standard Processing Time: It typically takes five to seven working days from your physical submission date for the embassy to review your file and return your passport.
- Express Service: If you have an urgent travel requirement, you can opt for express processing at the counter. This compresses the visa processing time down to three to four working days for an additional express surcharge of approximately INR 1,800.
Also Read: 16 Amazing Visa-Free Countries For India
Pro-Tips And Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Make sure that all the details on the forms you fill out match your official documents to a tee.
- Make sure that these details also match on the flight tickets, passport, and any of the hotel vouchers you may have.
- It is important to note that passport photos with glasses or asymmetric clothing lines are automatically rejected by the automated online system.
- Visa procedures can take a long time and have extensive wait periods. If you’re planning on visiting a visa facility, it is prudent not to make any other time-sensitive engagements on that day.
- Documentation and procedures are tedious by nature and require a lot of patience. It is important to be civil and polite to the person handling the visa process.
Summing Up
Securing a visa to China is highly systematic. The process rewards thoroughness and leaves zero room for casual errors. By ensuring your passport validity is sound, your travel itinerary or invitation letter is verifiable, and your photos adhere perfectly to the strict “no-glasses” policy, you can confidently navigate the application center. Start your application at least three to four weeks before your scheduled departure date, and look forward to an incredible journey across China!
