Your Complete Guide to a China Visa for Indians
As a global superpower, China is a fascinating country to visit for sightseeing, studying, or conducting business. If you are thinking about a trip to this vast country, read on to learn more about how to get a visa to China as an Indian passport holder.
| 📝 Guide to Chinese Visa for Indians |
|---|
Do Indians need a visa for China?
Yes. Indian citizens require a visa to enter China. Since online applications for a Chinese visa are not available, Indian citizens must apply through the authorized visa application service centre in India.
Types of Visas for China
China offers visas under various categories to Indians to visit the country for higher education, employment, tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and more. The validity period of a Chinese visa depends on the purpose of your visit.
⚠️ Indian citizens are not eligible for a visa on arrival in China. You must have a valid Chinese visa before leaving India.
Here are common types of visas that Indian passport holders can apply for when looking to head to China.¹
China tourist visa for Indians
The Chinese tourist visa for Indians, also known as Visa Category L, is issued for independent tourists and tour group members.
China work visa for Indians
Indian citizens can be employed in China and receive a Foreigner's Work Permit issued by the Chinese Government. To go to China for employment, Indian passport holders must apply for a Chinese Work Visa, also known as Category Z. Family members of an Indian national working in China must get the Visa S1 or S2, depending on the duration of their visit.
China student visa for Indians
Indian students pursuing higher education in China must apply for the Study Visa, also known as Category X1 and X2, depending on the course length. X1 Visa is a long-term study visa for a course period of more than 180 days, and X2 Visa is a short-term study visa for 180 days or less.
How much does a China visa cost?
Indian citizens applying for a Chinese visa must visit the Chinese Visa Service Centre and pay the visa fees in cash.² The total fee consists of the visa fee, plus an application service fee. The visa and application service fees are non-refundable.
The visa fees depend on the number of entries on the visa, which refers to the number of times the visa holder is allowed to enter China within the visa’s validity.³
| Type of visa | Visa Fees* |
|---|---|
| Visa Fees - Single Entry | INR 3,900. |
| Visa Fees - Double Entries | INR 5,850. |
| Visa Fees - Multiple Entries / 6 months | INR 7,800. |
| Visa Fees - Multiple Entries / 1 year | INR 11,700. |
| Application Service Fees - Regular Service | INR 1,838. |
There are extra fees you can pay to request express processing and optional premium services:
| Optional services | Visa Fees* |
|---|---|
| Extra fee for 2nd or 3rd working day collection | INR 1,800. |
| Application Service Fees - Express | INR 2,709. |
| Application Service Fees - Postal, Premium Lounge, VIP Service | INR 2,709. |
*Costs retrieved on 14 June 2023. Please verify the latest fees on the official Chinese Visa Application Center website.
China visa requirement for Indians
Indian passport holders must meet the following prerequisites for applying for a Chinese visa.⁵
- Apply for the visa at the designated Chinese Visa Application Service Centre.
- Hold a valid passport with a validity period of at least six months. You'd also need to show any previous passports that had expired within the last 5 years.
- Provide documentary evidence of legal stay, residence, employment, or study status.
- Provide a cover letter, depending on the category of visa you apply for.
- Ensure fingerprint collection for all 10 digits.
How to apply for a China visa
Indian citizens can apply for a Chinese visa at the respective visa service centre depending on their residence state:
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata: For residents of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattisgarh, and West Bengal.
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Mumbai: Citizens residing in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi: All other places other than those mentioned above.
The Application Procedure
- Visit the China Visa Application Center portal, and select your service center based on your state of residence.
- Click on the “Visa Step By Step Guidance” and select the Visa Category based on your purpose of visit.
- Review and Accept the Terms and Conditions of the Chinese visa in the next step.
- Prepare your supporting documents and complete the visa application form.
- Submit your documents at the respective visa service centre selected previously.
- Pay the visa fees and collect the receipt.
Documents required for a China visa
Indian citizens must submit the following documents when applying for a Chinese visa:
- Chinese visa application form and the confirmation page of the online visa application.
- Original passport with a six-month validity and at least two blank pages.
- Two recent photographs meeting the specific requirements.
- Original and photocopies of documents demonstrating proof of legal stay, residence, employment, or study status.
- Covering letter from the concerned authority, depending on the visa category.
- Other supporting documents, as required by the visa officials:
| Visa type | Visa description | Supporting documents |
|---|---|---|
| Category F | Study tours, exchanges, visits, and other activities. | An invitation letter issued by the relevant individual in China. |
| Category L | Tourism. | Travel itinerary, including air tickets, hotel reservations, and invitation letter issued by entity or individual in China A personal written statement with details of the visit. Original bank statement with a balance of INR 150,000. |
| Category X1 | Study in China for more than 180 days. | Admission letter from a school/college or university in China. Original and photocopy of visa application form JW201 or JW202. |
| Category X2 | Study in China for less than 180 days. | Admission letter from a school/college or university in China. |
| Category Z | Work in China. | Valid Notice for Foreigner’s Work Permit. |
How long does it take to get a China visa?
The regular processing time for a Chinese visa is 4 working days. The express service lets applicants get a Chinese visa within 3 working days.⁴
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Sources used for this article:
- Chinese Visa Application Center > Step by Step Guide
- Chinese Visa Application Center > Payment methods and schedule of fees
- Chinese Visa Application Center > How to understand the validity, number of entries and duration of stay
- Chinese Visa Application Center > Service options
- Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of India > Notice on the Latest Requirements for Chinese Visa Application
- Wise and international account comparison
Sources verified on 14 June 2023.
Photo by Nuno Alberto on Unsplash
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