（Update August, 2024）
In order to further facilitate the applicants in India to apply Chinese visa, the updated requirements for Chinese visa application are notified as follows.
1. Application Procedures and Attention
1.1 Chinese visa applications processed in accordance with respective consular jurisdiction area in principle.
For applicants who reside in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattisgarh, and West Bengal, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata. For applicants who reside in Maharashtra or Karnataka, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Consulate-General in Mumbai. For applicants who reside in areas other than those mentioned above, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Embassy in India.
1.2 Regular visa application submitted through Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
For applicants in jurisdiction area of Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata , please visit the website of Kolkata Chinese Visa Application Service Center (https://www.visaforchina.cn/CCU3_EN/), fill out visa application form, then submit the application form and documents (please check Part 2 for documents requirements) as well as retain ten fingerprints as required (please view the detail in the part below for Fingerprint collection exemption）at Chinese Visa Application Service Center, which will be sent to Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata for further processing. Starting from November 2023, the requirement for appointment has been removed and applicants can directly submit application documents at the Visa Center on any working day; please see more information of the due time limit through logging on the website https://www.visaforchina.cn/CCU3_EN/. The Visa Center will accept the visa applications that meet the application requirements on the same day.
1.3 Fingerprint collection exemption convenience available to certain applicants.
The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprints collection: applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 70; or applicants already had fingerprints collected within the past five years at Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata or Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata using the same passport; or with all fingers mutilated or uncollectible. Starting from August 2023, temporary measure of fingerprints collection exemption for certain applicants has been implemented (As to the expiration of the temporary measure, please refer to Consulate’s relevant notice): applicants eligible for single or double-entry visas for business (M Category), tourism (L Category), short-term family visit to Chinese citizens (Q2 Category), transit (G Category), and crew (C Category) purposes are exempted from fingerprints collection.
1.4 Processing period for qualified application fixed.
Applicants can choose the type of counter service by themselves. For qualified visa applications, the processing period by the Consulate is usually 6 working days (for regular application) and 3 working days (for express application). VIP service is a third party service offered by the Visa Center. The content of the VIP service is subject to the Visa Center, and is NOT related to the issuance of visas by the Consulate or the processing time.
1.5 Fee charges for visas clarified.
Fee charges for visas by the Consulate include visa fees and express fees, please refer to the notice of Fee Charges for Visas & Consular Services（2024 Renewed）through the Consulate's Chinese website http://kolkata.china-consulate.gov.cn/lsqw/202401/t20240123_11231492.htm, or English website http://kolkata.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/lsqw/202401/t20240123_11231495.htm. For any other fees incurred, they will be charged for services by the visa center or agency.
1.6 Diplomatic or official applications submitted to consular section.
Diplomatic, official and courtesy visa applications are exempted from fingerprints collection. Please fill out the visa application form online (https://bio.visaforchina.org/DEL2_EN/) and submit application form and required documents such as verbal note, as well as original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, a photocopy of the passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate, one color passport photo to the Consular Section of Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata. For relevant questions, please directly contact the Consular Section of Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata (Contact details in Part IV of this notice).
1.7 Foreign nationals who don’t need applying visa
(1) Subject to mutual visa exemption agreements;
(2) Holding valid permanent resident permit ID card;
(3) Holding valid residence permits;
(4) Holding valid APEC business travel cards and APEC virtual cards;
(5) Under the 24/72/144-hour Transit Visa Exemption Program. Please refer to the notice of Visa-Free Transit Policies for Foreign Nationals issued by National Immigration Administration of China, through its Chinese website https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1659077/content.html，or English website https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c156086/content.html.
2. Material Requirements
2.1 General Documents
(1) Chinese Visa Application Form and Confirmation Page of Online Visa Application.
(2) Original passport still valid for at least 6 months, with 2 or more blank visa pages, and the photocopy of passport information pages；and expired passports within 5 years. If the name recorded in the new passport does not correspond to that in the original passport, the original and copy of document certifying the change of name issued by the relevant official must also be provided.
(3) Two recently-taken color passport photos (full face, front view and bare head，size: 48mm×33mm，within 6 months).
(4) Original and photocopy of the proof of legal stay, residence, employment or study status or valid visa (applicable to applicants of non-Indian citizens).
(5) Copy of the most recently obtained Chinese visa (if any).
2.2 Category Documents
In addition to the general documents in 2.1, the following supporting documents for respective visa categories must be submitted:
Visa Categories | Description of Visa | Supporting Documents |
C | Issued to foreign crew members of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships,or motor vehicle driver engaged in cross-border transport activities,or to the accompanying family members of the crew members ofthe above-mentioned ships. | Guarantee Letter from foreign transport company. |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. | Original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner Permanent Residence Status issuedby the Ministry of Public Security of China. |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities. | Invitation Letter issued by relevant entity or individual in China. |
G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. | Onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region. |
J1 | Issued to resident journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works. |
J2 | Issued to foreign journalists of foreign news organizations who intend to go to China for short-termnews coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. | Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works. |
L | Issued to those who intend to tour and have sight seeing in China. | Tour Itinerary; hotel order; airline ticket order; bank account deposit proof (no less than 1 Lakh Rupees). |
M | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. | Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual; copy of business license of invitation party; copy of front and back sideof the inviter’s ID card, or the legalrepresentative’s ID card. |
Q1 | Issued to the family members of Chinese citizens or foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permit, intending to go to China for family reunion. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | (1) Invitation Letter issued by Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residencepermit. (2) Photocopy of Chinese ID cardof the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit. (3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc.) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual. |
Q2 | Issued to the relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence permit, intending to go to China for family visit. The intended duration of stay in China is nomore than 180 days. | (1) Invitation Letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residence permit (2) Photocopy of Chinese ID card or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting Individual. (3) Original photocopy of relative certification showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual. |
R | Issued to high-level talents. | Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents. |
S1 | Issued to the family members who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intendedduration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law. | (1) Invitation Letter from the inviting individual. (2) Photocopy of the inviting Individual’s passport and residence permit. (3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc. and kinship attestation issued by Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General) showing the relationship betweenapplicant and inviting individual. |
S2 | Issued to family members who intendto visit foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended durationof stay in China is no more than 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses,parents, sons,daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. | (1) Invitation Letter issued by the inviting individual. (2) Photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit. (3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc. and kinship attestation issued by Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General) showing the relationship between the applicant and the inviting individual.
For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by consular officers. |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. | (1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a schoolor other entities in China. (2) Original and photocopy of “VisaApplication for Study in China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202). |
X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of nomore than 180 days. | Original and photocopy of Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China. |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China. | Valid “Notice for Foreigner’s Work Permit” |
2.3 Relevant Reminder
(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the applicant may be required to submit the original invitation letter. The invitation letter should contain following information: information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.); information on the visit, such as purpose of visit, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, intended arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures; information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)
(2) The applicant may be required to provide other supporting documents, or require an interview with the applicant. In light of specific conditions of the applicant, the issuance of visa and its validity, duration of stay and number of entries will be decided.
(3) Application documents are irrevocable after the visa application has been submitted to the Consulate (except for humanitarian or force majeure factors). Visa applications that are returned are irrevocable; If applicants need to travel to China urgently, please re-submit visa application.
3. Contact Information of Chinese Visa Application Service Centers
3.1 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In New Delhi
Address: Concourse Floor, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Connaught Place, New Delhi -110001 India.
Office Hour: Normal application submission, weekdays 9:00 - 15:00; visa collection of normal application, weekdays 14:30 - 17:00. Express application submission, weekdays 9:00 - 12:00; visa collection of express application, weekdays 14:30 - 17:00.
Tel：91-9999036735 (Weekdays 9:00 - 14:00, 15:00 - 17:00).
E-mail：delhicentre@visaforchina.org
3.2 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In Kolkata
Address: BIPI Building Omega, Ground Floor, Bengal Intelligent Park, Block EP & GP, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata, India.
Office Hour: application submission, weekdays 9:00 - 12:00; visa collection , weekdays 14:00 - 16:00.
Tel：91-33-40010210 (Weekdays 9:00 -17:00).
E-mail：kolkatacentre@visaforchina.org
3.3 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In Mumbai
Address: 8th Floor, Mafatlal Center, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021.
Office Hour: application submission, weekdays 8:00 - 14:00; visa collection , weekdays 14:00 -17:00.
Tel：91-22-22855271 (Weekdays 9:00 - 17:00).
E-mail：mumbaicentre@visaforchina.org
4. Contact Information of Consular Section of Chinese Embassy and Consulate-General
4.1 Chinese Embassy In India
Address: Gate No. 4, Chinese Embassy, Nayaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021.
E-mail: new-delhi@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Tel：91-11-24675259 (Weekdays 9:00 -12:30, 14:30 -17:30).
Fax：91-11-26111105.
4.2 Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata
Address: EC-72, Sector I, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700064.
E-mail: consulate_kkt@mfa.gov.cn
Tel: 91-33-23377712 (Weekdays 09:30-12:30,15:00-18:00).
Fax：91-33-40045201
4.3 Chinese Consulate-General in Mumbai
Address: 11th Floor, Nariman Bhavan,Nariman Point,
Mumbai 400021,India.
E-mail: mumbai@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Tel:91-22-66324305 ext 12（Weekdays 10:00-13:00,15:00-17:00）.
Fax：91-22-66324302.
5. Interpretation of Notice
This notice is interpreted by Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata. In the event of any inconsistency between the previously released information and this notice, this notice shall prevail.
Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata
August 22nd, 2024