China Visa For Indian Citizens

China has emerged as a major global power in recent years, and its economy continues to grow rapidly. For Indian citizens looking to explore this fascinating country, obtaining a Chinese visa is a necessary and important step. This article will explore some essential questions in Chinese visa applications for Indians.

Table of contents

• Do Indians need a visa for China?
• China visa policy for Indian citizens
• Can Indians transit to China visa-free?
• How to get a China visa from India? Step-by-step instructions
• China tourists visa requirements for Indian citizens (documentation and rules)
• China business visa requirements for Indian citizens (documentation and rules)
• China visa photo specifications
• China visa photo online maker
• How much does the China visa cost for Indian citizens?
• How long can an Indian citizen stay in China?

Do Indians need a visa for China?

Yes, Indian citizens need a visa to travel to China. This is a requirement for all Indian passport holders, regardless of the purpose or length of their stay in China.

China visa policy for Indian citizens

The China visa policy for Indian citizens requires that all Indian passport holders obtain a visa before traveling. Indian citizens are not eligible for Chinese visas on arrival.

Different types of visas are available depending on the purpose of the trip, such as tourism, business, or study. The duration of the visa can also vary, from a single entry for a short stay to a multiple-entry visa for longer stays or frequent travel to China.

The application process for a Chinese visa usually involves submitting the required documents and paying the applicable fee to the Chinese embassy or consulate in India or through a visa processing agency.

Can Indians transit to China visa-free?

Travelers from India are not eligible for visa-free transit through China. They can skip visa processing only if they stay within the Chinese airport for less than 24 hours without passing through border control.

How to get a China visa from India? Step-by-step instructions

Here are the steps you need to take to get a Chinese visa:

1. Apply for your visa and make an appointment at the official Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. Choose the center closest to you. In India, you can get a Chinese visa in New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. You must submit your application in person, but there is an option to recollect your passport with visa by post;
2. Fill out the application form online and download a digital picture matching the Chinese visa photo requirements;
3. Gather your required documents based on your visa type;
4. Attend your appointment and have your fingerprints collected;
5. Pay the visa fee at the center using cash or demand draft.

China tourists visa requirements for Indian citizens (documentation and rules)

A tourist visa, or an L visa, allows foreign visitors to enter China for sightseeing, private visits, and other non-business activities. For Indians, it is typically valid for up to 90 days, but the duration of stay can vary depending on the specific visa issued.

The requirements for tourist visa applications are the following:

• Visa application form;
• Confirmation page of online visa application;
• Original passport valid for at least six months, with two or more blank visa pages and the photocopy of relevant pages of the passport;
• Expired passports within five years and the photocopy of relevant pages of the passports;
• Two recently-taken color passport photos;
• Certificate of COVID-19 vaccination with verifiable QR code;
• Indian long-term residence visa or work permits (for citizens of a third country);
• An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China;
• Other necessary materials are required by the Chinese Embassy in India and the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.

China business visa requirements for Indian citizens (documentation and rules)

A business visa, or M visa, is issued for business-related activities, such as business negotiations, conferences, trade fairs, or other commercial activities. To get one, you must have an official invitation from an organization registered in China.

For a business visa, the required documents are the following:

• Visa application form;
• Confirmation page of online visa application;
• Original passport valid for at least 6 months, with 2 or more blank visa pages, and the photocopy of relevant pages of the passport;
• Expired passports within 5 years and the photocopy of relevant pages of the passports;
• Two recently-taken color passport photos;
• Indian long-term residence visa or work permits (for citizens of a third country);
• Invitation letter issued by a trade partner in China or trade fair invitation;
• Introduction Letter issued by a company or relevant entity in India;
• Other necessary materials are required by the Chinese Embassy in India and the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.

China visa photo specifications

The photo used to apply for your Chinese visa must fulfill the following requirements:

• It must be a color picture taken recently within the last 6 months.
• The Chinese visa photo size must be 48mm in height and 33mm in width, with a width of the head of 15mm to 22mm and a height of 20mm to 33mm.
• The digital photo dimensions for electronic Chinese visa application must be from 354x472 to 420x560 pixels;
• The applicant has to be easily identifiable from the photo;
• Facial features should be complete and visible, with the head centered in the photo;
• Eyeglasses are allowed except thick-rimmed, tinted, or glare glasses;
• Hat or other head wears are only permitted due to religious reasons, but any facial features should not be obscured;
• There should be no damage or impurities on the photo, no permeation or shadow over the face;
• The photo should be in a natural tone but not over or under-exposed, red-eyed, or distorted;
• The background should be in white or off-white and with no edge frame
• The photo should be printed on glossy finish photo paper, not matte finish paper or plain paper, and should be stainless, scratchless, or without any crease.

Here is an example of a Chinese visa photo:

China visa photo online maker

Using Visafoto, an online photo editor that has been adjusting photographs for various documents worldwide since 2013, you can easily make a fully compliant Chinese visa application photo online. It will make sure your photo fulfills all the requirements needed.

Just take a picture of yourself following the guidelines stated above. Don’t worry about the size, background, positions, and proportions: Visafoto will handle the technicalities.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.

Visafoto also provides a template ready for printing, so you do not need to worry about formatting your photo for this purpose. With a high-quality color printer and photo paper fitting requirements, you can print a photo without leaving the comfort of your home.

First, take a photo under light like this one:

You will receive two versions of the photo: digital for electronic filing, and a printable template.

How much does the China visa cost for Indian citizens?

The Indian visa fee depends on the validity and amount of entries the applied visa allows. Current rates are as follows:

• Single entry: 3900 Rs;
• Double entry: 5850 Rs;
• Multiple entries, six months: 7800 Rs;
• Multiple entries, 12 months: 11700 Rs;
• Group visa: 2400 Rs.

How long can an Indian citizen stay in China?

The most common duration of a Chinese tourist or business visa for Indians is 90 days from the issue date: this is the period when you can enter the country. The permitted length of stay in China is 30 days. If you travel to China often, you can apply for a multiple-entry visa, allowing to enter China several times within the validity period.

Last update: January 2024