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🇮🇳INDIA
🇨🇳CHINAIN-CN

Do India passport holders need a visa to visit China?

Visa required for all visits. China's unilateral visa-free policy does NOT include India. Indian passport holders need a visa to enter China for any purpose. China's 2024-2026 unilateral visa-free expansion (now covering 38 countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, etc.) does NOT include India — Indo-Chinese visa policy reflects the broader bilateral relationship. India and China gradually resumed regular tourist visa issuance in 2024 after a multi-year pause linked to the 2020 border tensions, with applications now processed through China Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Standard tourist visa (L) costs INR 2,300 for single-entry and processes in 4-7 working days. Business (M) and family (Q/S) visas require sponsorship from China. Pre-2020 'visa on arrival' for selected Indian travel groups via specific Chinese cities is suspended. Apply well in advance — the embassy in Delhi advises 4-6 weeks for cases requiring additional review. Multiple-entry visas valid 6-12 months are available for frequent travellers and business visitors.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Pre-arranged consular visa
Maximum stay
30 / 60 / 90 days per entry (visa-specific)
per entry
Entries
Single, double, or multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
INR 2,300+
consular fee only
Processing time
4-7 working days
standard track
Validity
Variable; political sensitivity
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Choose the visa category
Tourist (L), business (M), family visit (Q/S), study (X), work (Z), or transit (G). Each requires specific documents.
· L, M, Q, S, X, Z, G
/02
Gather documents
Passport (6 months validity, 2 blank pages), photo, application form (COVA online), itinerary, hotel + return ticket, financial statements.
· COVA form online
/03
Book CVASC appointment
Online via bio.visaforchina.cn for Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, or Chennai centers. Submit biometrics in person.
· CVASC biometrics
/04
Submit application
In person at CVASC with all documents and fees. Track online.
· in-person submission
/05
Collect passport
After 4-7 working days. Express service available at extra cost.
· pickup or courier
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Indian passport
Valid 6+ months on arrival, 2 blank pages
Application form (COVA)
Complete online at cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn
Recent photo
33x48mm white background, less than 6 months old
Confirmed itinerary
Flights into and out of China, all hotels booked
Bank statements
Last 6 months, showing sufficient funds
Employment certificate
Salary, leave approval; or business registration if self-employed
Sponsor invitation (if applicable)
Business (M), family (Q), study (X) require sponsor letter
Previous Chinese visas
Helpful for repeat travellers
Travel insurance
Recommended; some categories require it
PCC if applicable
Police Clearance Certificate for work or long-term visas
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa (L) - single entryINR 2,300Standard processing 4-7 working days
Tourist visa (L) - double entryINR 3,500Two entries within validity period
Multi-entry tourist visaINR 5,400+6-12 month or longer validity
Business visa (M)INR 2,300+Requires Chinese business invitation
Work visa (Z)VariesRequires Z permit from Chinese employer
Express processing+INR 2,0002-3 working days
CVASC service feeINR 1,950Per application, in addition to visa fee
Total estimateINR 4,250 — INR 9,000+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard
4-7 working days
Submit and collect at CVASC in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, or Chennai.
Express
2-3 working days
Faster processing for an additional fee where available.
Cases needing review
2-6 weeks
Some categories or applicants may face additional security review.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Border/political tensions
Indo-Chinese visa policy reflects bilateral relations. Visas were suspended 2020-2024; resumption is partial.
Medium
/02
Incomplete documentation
Missing sponsor letters, unclear itineraries, or insufficient financial statements lead to refusals.
Medium
/03
Wrong visa category
Working on a tourist visa or studying on a business visa leads to denial of entry and re-entry bans.
Low
/04
Prior overstays or violations
Any previous Chinese immigration violation heavily affects future applications.
Low
/05
Restricted areas (Tibet, Xinjiang)
Travel to Tibet requires additional Tibet Travel Permit; some areas of Xinjiang have restrictions.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Use the foreign visitor lanes, keep hotel or invitation details handy, and make sure your entry purpose matches the visa-free category.
/02
Registration
Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If staying in a private residence, complete temporary residence registration with local police within 24 hours.
/03
Connectivity
Install maps, translation, and payment apps before travel. Some foreign services may not work reliably without roaming or a compliant VPN.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-27
India to China route verified
Confirmed visa requirement, INR 2,300 standard tourist visa, CVASC processing.
2024-04-01 · major
Tourist visa issuance resumed for Indians
China resumed regular L visa processing for Indian tourists after multi-year suspension.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Indians enter China visa-free?—
No — China's unilateral visa-free expansion 2024-2026 does NOT include India. A pre-arranged visa is required for all visits.
How long does the visa take?+
What documents do I need?+
Can I get a multi-entry visa?+
Do I need to visit the embassy in person?+
Can I travel to Tibet?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the India passport

🇮🇳⇄
Compare the India passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇮🇳◐
India visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇮🇳▤
India passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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