China updates visa application process for Indians, new rules now in effect

The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi announced that, effective October 26, it and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai will directly handle all visa applications and consular legalization requests from Indian residents, replacing the services previously offered by visa application centers in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

The notice, dated October 22, specifies that applicants from Maharashtra and Karnataka must approach the Mumbai consulate, while those from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh should submit to the New Delhi embassy on a temporary basis. All other states and Union Territories are also directed to the embassy. The three visa centers will cease accepting new applications on October 26, but will continue to return already‑submitted documents until noon on October 30. Prospective applicants must first complete an online form on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ visa portal, upload supporting documents, and, after email confirmation, submit their passport and paperwork in person within 30 days. Service‑center fees for applications submitted after 5 pm on October 23 have been waived, though fees paid earlier will not be refunded, and separate consular service fees apply.

The change affects Indian tourists, business travelers and others seeking Chinese visas, who now need to navigate a revised submission process and verify the correct jurisdiction for document legalization. A temporary exemption from fingerprint collection for short‑term visas (stay up to 180 days) is in place until December 31 2026, though it does not cover all visa categories. Tourist visa applicants must also provide six‑month bank statements showing an average balance of at least ₹1 lakh or an equivalent deposit certificate, underscoring the tightened documentation requirements.