How Indian passport holders get a visa for China: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: L tourist visa — apply via Chinese Visa Centre in India
- Government fee: Reduced fees effective through 31 December 2026: single entry ₹2,900; double entry ₹4,400; 6-month multiple ₹5,900; 12-month+ multiple ₹8,800. CVASC service fee ₹1,973 (regular) or ₹2,908 (express), plus optional ₹1,800 for express processing.
- Processing time: Standard: 4–6 working days. Express: 2–3 working days (extra fee). Apply in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata.
- Maximum stay: Up to 30 days per entry on a standard L visa (some applicants get 60 days)
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 25/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages
- Completed COVA online application form (printed)
- Recent colour photo (white background, 33 × 48 mm)
- Day-by-day itinerary with cities and dates
- Confirmed round-trip flight bookings
- Confirmed hotel bookings for every night OR Chinese host's invitation letter
- Proof of funds (bank statement, ITR)
- Old passports / previous Chinese visas (if any)
How & where to apply
Apply through a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in India — New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. Submit the online COVA form printed out, plus documents, in person. Indians are NOT eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit, only the 24-hour airside transit waiver for genuine same-airport layovers. Chinese Visa Application Service Centre — CVASC (official)
Transit & connections
Indian passport holders are excluded from China's 240-hour and most other transit visa-free schemes. The 24-hour airside transit waiver (no immigration clearance, same airport, onward ticket) generally applies, but always confirm with your airline. Any landside connection needs a full L (tourism) or G (transit) visa.
How China compares in East Asia
With an ease score of 25/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. China requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | L tourist visa — apply via Chinese Visa Centre in India | Reduced fees effective through 31 December 2026: single entry ₹2,900; double entry ₹4,400; 6-month multiple ₹5,900; 12-month+ multiple ₹8,800. CVASC service fee ₹1,973 (regular) or ₹2,908 (express), plus optional ₹1,800 for express processing. | Standard: 4–6 working days. Express: 2–3 working days (extra fee). Apply in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | eVisa or paper visa — apply via VFS before travel | From 1 April 2026: ₹500 for a single or multiple-entry visa (₹50 for a transit visa). A separate VFS Global service charge applies. | Officially around 5 working days; in practice often 12–15 working days. Appointment booking is required at Indian VFS centres |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | Sticker visa — apply at VFS / embassy before travel | Approx ₹3,400 single-entry / ₹7,650 multiple-entry, plus a VFS service charge (approx ₹1,380). Confirm current fees on the Korea VFS portal. | Around 5–10 working days from a complete submission |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Free Pre-Arrival Registration — 14 days | Free of charge | PAR approval is usually instant to a few minutes online; valid for 6 months and allows multiple 14-day visits during validity |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | Travel Authorization Certificate (free) OR sticker visa | Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC): free. Standard visitor visa (sticker) from Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre: roughly ₹4,200 single-entry to ₹8,400 multiple-entry, plus express premium. | TAC approval is instant online (printable within minutes). Sticker visa via TECC Chennai / Delhi typically takes a few working days. |
| 🇲🇳 Mongolia | eVisa (K2 tourist) — apply online before travel | USD 53 (~₹4,400) for the standard single-entry K2 tourist e-visa. Card payment on the official portal. | Usually 72 hours (3 business days). Apply at least 1 week before travel to allow for queries. |
| 🇲🇴 Macao SAR | Visa-free — 30 days | No government visa fee. | Granted on arrival at Macau International Airport (MFM) or via the Hong Kong → Macau ferry — no advance application needed. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
Fingerprint collection is waived for L visa applicants until 31 December 2026 under the same facilitation programme that cut fees. Tibet/Kailash Mansarovar travel requires the standard L visa PLUS a separate Tibet Travel Permit arranged through an authorised Chinese tour operator — apply for the L visa first. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://in.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for China?
L tourist visa — apply via Chinese Visa Centre in India. Fingerprint collection is waived for L visa applicants until 31 December 2026 under the same facilitation programme that cut fees. Tibet/Kailash Mansarovar travel requires the standard L visa PLUS a separate Tibet Travel Permit arranged through an authorised Chinese tour operator — apply for the L visa first.
What documents do Indians need for a China visa?
Passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages; Completed COVA online application form (printed); Recent colour photo (white background, 33 × 48 mm); Day-by-day itinerary with cities and dates; Confirmed round-trip flight bookings; Confirmed hotel bookings for every night OR Chinese host's invitation letter; Proof of funds (bank statement, ITR); Old passports / previous Chinese visas (if any)
How long does a China visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Standard: 4–6 working days. Express: 2–3 working days (extra fee). Apply in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata.. Government fee: Reduced fees effective through 31 December 2026: single entry ₹2,900; double entry ₹4,400; 6-month multiple ₹5,900; 12-month+ multiple ₹8,800. CVASC service fee ₹1,973 (regular) or ₹2,908 (express), plus optional ₹1,800 for express processing.. Maximum stay: Up to 30 days per entry on a standard L visa (some applicants get 60 days).
How do Indians apply for a China visa?
Apply through a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in India — New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. Submit the online COVA form printed out, plus documents, in person. Indians are NOT eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit, only the 24-hour airside transit waiver for genuine same-airport layovers. Official source: https://in.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/
Is a China visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 25/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a China visa online or on arrival?
China requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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