China Visa for Indians starting at just ₹306*
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Flight Cancellation Covered*
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Baggage Loss Covered*
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Passport Loss Covered*
China Visa for Indians
China offers Indian travellers an extraordinary journey through diverse landscapes and rich cultural experiences. From the majestic Great Wall to bustling metropolitan cities, tranquil temples to cutting-edge technology hubs, this vast country presents countless opportunities for exploration and discovery. The relationship between India and China is centuries old, and it is based on common philosophical traditions, trade routes, and cultural exchanges that still amaze contemporary travellers.
For Indian travellers planning to experience China's wonders, obtaining the proper visa is an essential first step. The Chinese visa system offers various categories designed to suit different travel intentions, including tourism, business, cultural exchanges, and family visits, each with its own specific requirements and processing times.
It is essential to familiarise yourself with the entire visa system in China and gather the necessary documents to make the application process and trip to this amazing place as smooth as possible.
China Visa: All You Need to Know
Depending on the purpose of your travel, you can apply through Chinese Visa Application Service Centers or at the embassy. With a standard visa application, apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers in New Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata, based on your consular jurisdiction area.
You must first visit the official website to fill out the visa application form online, make an appointment, and print the confirmation page. Upon arrival in China, you are required to show this valid visa to immigration officers. The visa must be presented at all entry points throughout China.
In case you are applying through the designated centres, you can visit the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in your jurisdiction and submit applications with the required documents and fingerprints. The regular service turnaround time is expected on the 6th working day. For express service, it is expected on the 4th working day.
All visa applications require a passport with at least 6 months’ validity and 2 blank visa pages, two recent color passport photos (48mm×33mm), a completed application form with confirmation page, and supporting documents based on your visa category, such as invitation letters, covering letters, and proof of legal stay for non-Indian citizens.
China Visa Insights
Between January and September 2025, China has already issued more than 2,40,000 visas to Indians, highlighting the improving relations between the two countries and the increased interest of Indians in visiting China for tourism, business, education and more.
Additionally, with direct flights between India and China resuming soon and the improving geopolitical ties between the two countries, China is poised to welcome an increasing number of Indians for leisure and business purposes.
China Visa Types
China offers different kinds of visas depending on the reason for your travel: tourism, business, family visits, work, study, transit, and special visas. Being aware of the right type of visa will guarantee a successful entry and legal residence in the country.
Indian China Tourist Visa (L)
Purpose: Indian travelers visiting China for tourism, leisure, sightseeing, or independent tourist activities through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers.
Validity: Varies by entry type - single, double, half-year multiple, or one-year multiple entry options available
Processing Time: 6th working day (regular service) or 4th working day (express service)
What to Watch Out For: Require invitation letters from Chinese travel agencies or individuals, tour itineraries with air ticket bookings, hotel reservations, and bank deposit proof of INR 100,000 with a bank stamp and signature
Indian Work Visa to China (Z)
Purpose: Issued to Indians working in China, including foreign experts, commercial performers, chief representatives, offshore oil operations, and volunteers (more than 90 days).
Validity: Must apply for a residence permit within 30 days unless the duration is marked as 30 days
Processing Time: 6th working day (regular service) or 4th working day (express service)
What to Watch Out For: Requires a valid Notice for Foreigner's Work Permit or other specific work authorization documents. Different documents are needed based on work type and duration.
Indian Business Visa to China (M)
Purpose: The visa is issued for commercial and trade activities, trade fair participation, or other business meetings. It requires documents from Chinese trade partners or invitation letters from relevant entities.
Validity: Available in single, double, and multiple entry options with varying durations
Processing Time: 6th working day (regular service) or 4th working day (express service)
What to Watch Out For: Business invitations must include applicant information, visit details, and inviting entity details with official stamps. Copy of business license and inviter's ID card required.
Indian Student Visa to China (X1/X2)
Purpose: X1 visas are issued for long-term study (more than 180 days) and X2 for short-term study (no more than 180 days) in Chinese educational institutions.
Validity: X1 covers extended study periods while X2 is limited to a maximum stay duration of only 180 days
Processing Time: 6th working day (regular service) or 4th working day (express service)
What to Watch Out For: Requires original admission letter from Chinese schools and photocopy of Visa Application for Study in China (Form JW201 or JW202). X1 holders must apply for residence permits within 30 days of entry.
Indian China Transit Visa (G)
Purpose: This visa is issued to Indians transiting through China to reach their final destination in another country.
Validity: Short-term transit purposes only
Processing Time: 6th working day (regular service) or 4th working day (express service)
What to Watch Out For: Requires onward air, train, or ship tickets with confirmed dates and seats to the destination country. Transit Visa Exemption Programs may apply in certain cases, eliminating visa requirements.
Indian Visit Visa to China (S1/S2)
Purpose: For family members who want to go to China for personal reasons or to visit their family, working or studying there.
Validity: For S1 - The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. For S2 - The intended duration of stay in China does not exceed 180 days.
Processing Time: 6th working day (regular service) or 4th working day (express service)
What to Watch Out For: Family members here refer to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, and parents-in-law
How to Apply for a China Visa?
Applying for a China visa requires following specific procedures through designated Chinese Visa Application Service Centers. The process involves online form completion, appointment scheduling, and in-person submission with biometric data collection. Here's the step-by-step process for Indian citizens.
China Visa Application Process
Visit the official Chinese Visa Application Service Center website and select your jurisdiction area (New Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata, based on your passport issue location).
Fill out the visa application form online completely and print the confirmation page along with the full application form.
Sign your name on both the confirmation page and the application form before submission.
Schedule an appointment through the online system for document submission and biometric collection.
Gather all required documents, including a passport with 6 months' validity and 2 blank pages, two color passport photos (48mm×33mm), and category-specific supporting documents.
Attend your scheduled appointment at the designated Chinese Visa Application Service Center in person.
Submit your complete application package and provide ten fingerprints for biometric collection (exemptions apply for children under 14, adults over 70, and those who provided fingerprints within the past 5 years using the same passport).
Pay the applicable visa fees and service charges using accepted payment methods (cash or demand draft).
Conventional China Visa Processing Centres
New Delhi Centre: Concourse Floor, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001. Contact: 91-9999036735 (Weekdays 9:00 am - 14:00 pm, 15:00 pm - 17:00 pm).
Mumbai Centre: 8th Floor, Mafatlal Center, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021. Contact: 91-22-22855271 (Weekdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, 14:00 pm - 17:00 pm).
Kolkata Centre: BIPI Building Omega, Ground Floor, Bengal Intelligent Park, Block EP & GP, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata. Contact: 91-9999036735 (Monday, Friday), 91-033 40010210 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).
Note: All applications are processed according to the respective consular jurisdiction areas. Check your passport issue location to determine the correct application centre. Consular officers may require additional documents or interviews and will determine visa validity, duration, and entry permissions based on individual circumstances.
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China Visa Documents
The following are the documents required to obtain a China visa as an Indian citizen:
General Documents
Passport: It should be valid 6 months or more and have 2 or more blank visa pages, and photocopies of the relevant passport pages.
2 Passport Photos: You will need recently taken colour photos (full face, front view, bare head), size 48mm×33mm, taken within 6 months, white background.
Visa Application Form: Correctly and completed Chinese Visa Application Form and Confirmation Page of Online Visa Application, printed and signed.
Legal Stay Proof: Original and photocopy of proof of legal stay, residence, employment, or study status (applicable to non-Indian citizens only).
Covering Letter: Personal written statement with basic applicant information, visiting purpose, places to visit, and contact details of inviting company or person.
Category-Specific Documents
Tourist Visas (L): Invitation letter from Chinese travel agency or individual with residential proof, tour itinerary, round-trip air ticket booking, hotel reservations, bank deposit proof of INR 100,000..
Business Visas (M): Documents on commercial activity from Chinese trade partner, trade fair invitations, copy of business licence of invitation party, copy of inviter's ID card.
Work Visas (Z): Valid Notice for Foreigner's Work Permit, Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China, or other work authorisation documents.
Student Visas (X1/X2): Admission letter from Chinese educational institution, photocopy of Visa Application for Study in China (Form JW201 or JW202).
Family Visit Visas (Q1/Q2, S1/S2): Invitation letters from Chinese citizens or foreign residents, relationship certificates, photocopies of inviter's Chinese ID or foreign passport with residence permit.
Please note: Consular officers may require additional supporting documents or interviews. To get the full document requirements depending on the type of visa you are applying for, visit the official Chinese Embassy guidelines and make sure that all the documents are within the required standards to be able to process your application successfully.
China Visa Fees For Indians
You also need to be aware of the China visa fees so that you can plan your trip and not be caught unawares by some extra costs. Please note that your Total payment = Visa fees + Service fees.
Visa Type | Visa Fees |
|---|---|
Single Entry | ₹2,900 |
Double Entry | ₹4,400 |
Half-Year Multiple Entry | ₹5,900 |
One Year Multiple Entry | ₹8,800 |
Group Visa | ₹1,800 |
Payment Methods The visa application centres accept cash and demand drafts only. Visa fees are collected on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, while service fees are charged directly by the centres and are non-refundable regardless of visa approval status.
At the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers where you have deposited your documents, it is simple to track your application status for the China visa. To follow the process, you will require your application reference number, which you will have been given when you applied. This is the way it functions:
The citizens of India are restricted from extending their Chinese visa. The existing system does not make direct renewals as the other countries have. Rather, you request to stay longer by using the Public Security Bureau offices in China.
Why Should Indians Have China Travel Insurance?
Traveling to China can be an exciting experience, but it’s always wise to prepare for the unexpected. With IndusInd China Travel Insurance, you get essential protection against trip interruptions, delayed baggage, and flight cancellations.
Baggage Delay
We cover up to $100* for baggage delayed for over 12 hours, so that you can replace the necessary items and proceed with your journey.
Flight Cancellation Covered
When airlines disrupt your China travel plans, we cover up to $600*, helping recover non-refundable booking costs.
Loss of Passport
We cover up to $300* to help you meet the cost of replacing your passport if you lose or have your passport stolen during your travel.
Key Takeaways
China is a country that offers an amazing cultural experience, with thousands of years of history and a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern innovations. Whether it is the grandeur of the Great Wall or the vibrancy of the financial hub of Shanghai, this huge country has something to offer that will be memorable within a few hours of flight.
Getting there requires proper planning. Indian travellers must obtain appropriate visas through Chinese Visa Application Service Centers in New Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata with comprehensive documentation, including a passport with 6-month validity, completed application forms, supporting documents based on visa category, and biometric fingerprint collection.
When planning your adventure in China, do not forget about travel insurance. It is not a requirement in getting a visa, but it is essential protection that can save you a lot of financial stress in case of an emergency.
Consider going to see the ancient Terracotta Warriors in Xi, but the lunch you had did not agree with you, and you have to be taken to the hospital. In the absence of insurance, you would have to pay the high costs of emergency medical care. These expenses would be covered by your travel insurance policy so that you would get the treatment you need without the financial burden.
At IndusInd General Insurance, our customer support team is available 24/7 to help you with medical claims or any other travel emergency, such as passport replacement or flight cancellations. Help is just a tap away with the Self-i app, so you can get 24/7 assistance no matter where you care in China.
Reliance General Insurance
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China travel insurance starting at just ₹306*!
Secure Your Trip to China Today!
From Beijing explorations to Shanghai adventures, stay protected with IndusInd China travel insurance. We ensure your trips remain care-free while we handle the what-ifs!
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Disclaimer:
*T&C Apply. For more details on risk factors, terms conditions, brochure, and exclusions, please read the policy wording and CIS carefully before concluding a sale.
Claim Settlement Ratio: This is the overall claim settlement ratio for FY 2023-24 without claim outstanding at the start of the financial year as per public disclosure of Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Product & Sum Insured: T&C Apply. Details mentioned here are for Reliance Travel Care Policy, UIN: RELTIOP08002V010708. Sum Insured: The mentioned Sum insured amount is applicable only under Reliance Travel Care Policy – Individual – Platinum Plan. Total loss of checked baggage: Maximum amount payable per checked-in baggage in case more than one bag has been checked in, is 50% (100% for only one checked-in baggage) of applicable sum insured and per item in baggage maximum 10%.
Premium - Asia & International: The premium mentioned is excluding taxes for a medical sum insured of $25,000 for an Individual of 20 years on an Asia trip of 4 days. This is applicable for Asia plan only.
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