China Visa Rules Change From October 26: What Indian Applicants Need to Know

Indian travellers planning a trip to China will need to follow a revised visa application process from October 26, 2026. The Chinese Embassy in India and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai will directly accept and process visa applications and consular legalisation requests, replacing the existing application centre arrangements.

The change will affect tourists, business travellers, students and other applicants seeking visas for mainland China. Applicants will need to complete the online application process before submitting their passports and supporting documents to the designated diplomatic mission.

China Visa Applications To Move To Embassy And Consulate

According to the Chinese Embassy’s official notice dated October 22, the new system will take effect on October 26. The Chinese Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata will stop accepting new applications under the revised arrangements.

Applicants who have already completed their applications and are awaiting processed documents can collect them from the existing centres until 12 noon on October 30, 2026.

Where Should Indian Applicants Submit Their Applications?

Under the revised arrangements, the place of residence will determine which diplomatic mission handles an application.

• Mumbai: Applicants residing in Maharashtra and Karnataka must apply through the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai.
• New Delhi: Applicants residing in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal will temporarily be served by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.
• Other states and Union Territories: Applicants residing elsewhere in India must also submit their applications to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.

The revised jurisdictional arrangements also apply to consular legalisation services, with the relevant jurisdiction determined by the place where the documents were issued.

How To Apply For A China Visa Under The New Rules

Applicants must first complete the online application process through the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official visa portal.

The process involves the following steps:

1. Visit the official portal at https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/.
2. Complete the Chinese visa application form and upload the required supporting documents.
3. Submit the application for online review.
4. After receiving approval by email, visit the designated embassy or consulate within 30 days to submit the passport, application form and other required documents.
5. Complete fingerprint collection if required.
6. Pay the applicable visa fee when collecting the passport on the date specified on the collection slip.

Applicants eligible for diplomatic, official and courtesy visas must arrange an appointment by telephone before submitting their documents.

Applicants should prepare the following general documents before starting the process:

• A completed Chinese visa application form.
• A passport valid for more than six months, with at least two blank visa pages.
• A copy of the passport information page and details of any previous passport issued within the past five years.
• Two recent colour photographs measuring 48 mm × 33 mm, taken against a white background.
• Copies of Chinese visas obtained during the past three years, if applicable.
• Additional documents relevant to the visa category, such as travel plans, invitation letters or financial records.

Non-Indian citizens applying from India must also provide valid documentation showing their visa, residence, employment or study status in the country. Applicants should check the specific requirements for their visa category before submitting the form.

China Visa Fees And Processing Time

The revised arrangements include changes to service fees. According to the reported transition guidelines, online applications submitted after 5 pm on October 23, 2026, will not attract a visa application centre service fee. Fees already paid for applications submitted before that deadline will not be refunded. <Cite refs={[“turn728472search2″,”turn728472search6”]}/>

The embassy’s published guidance lists the following processing times, calculated from the day after the passport is submitted:

• Regular processing: 7 working days.
• Express processing: 4 working days.

These timelines do not necessarily include the time required for online review, document preparation or travel to the relevant mission. Applicants should therefore allow sufficient time before their intended departure.

Are Fingerprints Required For China Visa Applications?

There is some relief for short-term travellers. Under the current guidance, fingerprint collection is waived until December 31, 2026, for applicants seeking short-term visas with a stay of no more than 180 days.

However, fingerprint collection generally remains necessary for applicants seeking visas for stays exceeding 180 days, as well as certain categories such as D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas that require a residence permit after arrival. Multiple-entry visa applicants may also be required to provide fingerprints, subject to the stated exemptions.

What Should Indian Travellers Do Now?

Indian travellers planning holidays, business visits or other trips to China should check the revised jurisdiction rules before submitting an application. They should also complete the online review process, prepare the required documents and confirm the latest fee and submission instructions with the relevant diplomatic mission.

For the latest official information, applicants can visit the Chinese Embassy in India’s visa section or the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai.

The revised system changes where and how applications are submitted; it does not, by itself, guarantee faster processing or visa approval.