Applying for a Chinese Visa in India Just Lost a Middleman

Since October 26, Indian travelers applying for a Chinese visa no longer go through third-party visa application centres. The centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata have stopped accepting new applications, and people who already submitted can collect their documents until noon on October 30. Applications now go directly to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, with Kolkata cases temporarily handled in Delhi.

Where you apply depends on where you live. Residents of Maharashtra and Karnataka use Mumbai, while those in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and all other states and territories use New Delhi. The process has two stages: an online application and review first, then an in-person submission of the passport and documents within 30 days of the approval email.

There is some good news on cost. Visa centre service fees are waived for eligible online applications submitted after 5pm on October 23, though fees already paid are not refunded. Through December 31, 2026, a single-entry visa costs ₹2,900 and a multiple-entry visa valid for a year or more costs ₹8,800. Short-stay applicants, with stays up to 180 days, are generally exempt from fingerprinting until the same date.

One detail trips people up: photos must be 33mm by 48mm on a white background, so the common 35mm by 45mm Schengen size will not be accepted. Applicants are advised to start four to six weeks before departure to allow for the online review. Hong Kong and Macao have separate rules, so check the embassy or consulate notices for your case.

Sources: Gulf News