China Revises Visa Process in India: What Agents Should Know

China has changed how visa applications are submitted in India, and the update matters for every travel agent handling outbound corporate, leisure, and MICE bookings. From 26 October 2026, applicants will no longer file new visa requests through the Chinese Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

Instead, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai will accept applications directly. For B2B travel professionals, this means new filing steps, revised jurisdiction mapping, and tighter document handling timelines.

What Has Changed in the China Visa Submission System?

The biggest shift is procedural. Applicants must now complete the online visa form first, wait for preliminary review, and only then submit passports and supporting papers at the designated Embassy or Consulate.

This change replaces the earlier centre-based submission workflow and creates a more mission-led process for both visa applications and consular legalisation requests.

New applications will not be accepted at the China Visa Application Centres from 26 October 2026.
Online form submission is mandatory before physical document submission.
Visa fees will be paid only at the passport collection stage.
Consular legalisation will also move directly to the Embassy or Consulate.

For agencies, this means less room for same-day improvisation and more need for pre-checks before submission.

Where Applicants Must Submit Their China Visa

China has also revised the jurisdiction rules for India-based applicants. The correct filing point now depends on the applicant’s state of residence.

Travellers based in Maharashtra and Karnataka must submit applications to the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai. Applicants from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh will temporarily submit to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.

All other states and territories in India must also route applications through the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.

Maharashtra and Karnataka: Consulate General in Mumbai
West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh: Embassy in New Delhi
All other Indian states and territories: Embassy in New Delhi

The same jurisdiction applies to legalisation services, based on where the document was issued. This is especially important for corporate travel teams managing multi-city employee movement.

How the New Online-to-Offline Process Works

Applicants must first use the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal to complete the online form and upload supporting documents. No payment is required at this stage.

Once the application is reviewed and approved, an email notification is sent. The applicant then has 30 days to visit the designated mission with the passport, printed forms, and supporting documents. Fingerprints will be collected where applicable.

Diplomatic, official, and courtesy visa applicants must arrange a telephone appointment before document submission.

This new timeline is important for agents coordinating group travel, business delegations, and urgent corporate movements.

Key document flow for agents to note

Online submission first, with supporting documents uploaded for review
Physical submission only after approval email is received
Document submission must happen within 30 days of approval
Fingerprints may be collected during the final submission stage

For corporate clients, this means visa planning should now start earlier than before, especially where flight and hotel bookings depend on approval timing.

General China Visa Documentation Requirements

The standard document checklist remains strict. All applicants need a completed application form, a passport valid for more than six months, at least two blank visa pages, and copies of the passport bio page and any old passport issued in the past five years.

Two recent colour photographs, sized 48 mm × 33 mm, taken against a white background within six months, are also mandatory.

Non-Indian nationals applying in India must prove valid visa, residence, employment, or study status in the country. If the applicant has held Chinese visas in the last three years, those details must also be included.

For minors under 18, extra documents include:

Birth certificate
Guardian identity documents
Consent letter from the parent or legal guardian

If the application is submitted through a travel agency or representative, the agency’s qualification papers and the representative’s identity document must also be included.

Visa Categories and Purpose-Based Papers

China has kept the category-wise documentation structure, but agents must now be extra careful about matching the visa type to the exact purpose of travel.

For a tourist visa (L), applicants need travel plans, hotel and return flight bookings, and six months of bank statements showing a steady average balance of ₹1 lakh. A deposit certificate may also be accepted if it meets the same financial benchmark and is issued at least three months before filing.

Business travellers applying for an M visa need an invitation from a Chinese trade partner or organisation. Depending on the trip, supporting proof may also include exhibition invitations, business registration records, or related commercial documents.

Other common categories include:

F visa for exchange or non-commercial visits
G visa for transit travel with confirmed onward tickets
Z visa for employment, supported by work permit documents
X1 and X2 visas for students, depending on course duration

The rules also cover family visits, journalism, permanent residence, high-level talent, and crew-related travel.

Revised China Visa Fees for Indian Applicants

The fee chart for Indian passport holders has also been updated. Current rates include ₹2,900 for a single-entry visa, ₹4,400 for double-entry, ₹5,900 for six-month multiple entry, and ₹8,800 for a 12-month or longer multiple-entry visa.

Group visas and official group visas are listed at ₹1,800 per applicant.

For eligible third-country nationals applying in India, fees vary by nationality and visa type, ranging from ₹2,000 for single entry to ₹6,100 for a long-validity multiple-entry visa.

Express and urgent services may be available where applicable, with extra charges of ₹1,800 and ₹2,700 respectively.

Payment Rules: Demand Drafts Only

One of the most practical changes for agents is the payment method. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India will temporarily accept only demand drafts.

Cash, cheques, and other payment modes will not be accepted.

The demand draft must be bank-printed, and the applicant’s full name, collection slip number, and contact number must be written on the back.

For correct payee details:

New Delhi: CHINESE EMBASSY, NEW DELHI
Mumbai: CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN MUMBAI

For agencies handling multiple files, this means extra coordination with finance teams and careful matching of payment instruments to each applicant.

Consular Legalisation: What Has Changed

Consular legalisation requests will now go directly to the designated diplomatic mission, without an appointment.

Applicants must submit the prescribed form, identity documents, and both the original and a copy of the document to be legalised.

Documents issued by Indian authorities for use in mainland China must first be notarised in India and then legalised by the Ministry of External Affairs or its authorised offices.

This is especially important because India and mainland China do not operate under the Hague Apostille Convention for such documents, so legalisation remains mandatory for relevant public papers.

Regular processing will take around four working days, while express service may take two to three working days through the Embassy. Post and fax submissions are not accepted.

What Travel Agents Should Do Now

The revised process may seem administrative, but it will directly affect turnaround times, file preparation, and client communication. Agents should review each case carefully before advising travellers.

Build in extra lead time for online review and 30-day physical submission
Verify jurisdiction before routing documents
Check category-specific evidence before booking flights too early
Use demand drafts correctly to avoid payment rejection

This is especially relevant for corporate travel desks, consolidators, and agencies managing group business, where delays can affect conference participation, project travel, and partner visits.

Transition Rules for Existing Applications

Applicants with processed documents already waiting at the China Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata can collect them until 12:00 noon on 30 October 2026.

For online applications submitted after 5:00 pm on 23 October 2026, no visa application centre service fee will be charged. However, fees collected for applications submitted before that cutoff remain non-refundable.

That makes timing crucial for both applicants and agents managing files in the transition window.

CONCLUSION

China’s revised visa process in India shifts the workload from application centres to the Embassy and Consulate system, making accuracy and timing more important than ever. For B2B travel professionals, the priority is clear: confirm jurisdiction, prepare documents early, and guide clients through the online-first submission model without delay.

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