Planning a trip to China? The way you apply for a visa has changed. From Monday, October 26, 2026, the outsourced China Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata have stopped accepting new applications. Indian travellers now have to apply directly at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai, according to a notice issued by the embassy on October 22.
The change covers both visas and the consular legalisation of Indian documents meant for use in China, so students, business travellers and tourists are all affected.
What exactly has changed
Until now, most Indians dropped off their China visa papers at a visa application centre run by an outside agency, which charged its own service fee on top of the visa fee. That middle layer is gone. Applicants now book an appointment with the embassy or consulate, then submit their printed forms and documents in person.
People who had already completed their process at the old centres before October 26 can collect their documents from those centres until 12 noon on October 30.
One relief for short-term travellers: the temporary waiver on fingerprint collection for visas with stays of 180 days or less has been extended until December 31, 2026. Long-term applicants, such as those on work (Z) or long-term study (X1) visas, will still have to give fingerprints on site.
Where should you apply?
Your home state decides which office handles your application:
| Maharashtra, Karnataka | Chinese Consulate General, Mumbai |
| West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh | Chinese Embassy, New Delhi |
| All other states and UTs | Chinese Embassy, New Delhi |
| Old visa centres stop new applications | October 26, 2026 |
| Last time to collect documents from old centres | 12 noon, October 30, 2026 |
| Fingerprint waiver (stays up to 180 days) | Extended till December 31, 2026 |
Travellers from eastern India, who earlier used the Kolkata centre, will now have to deal with the embassy in New Delhi.
How to apply for a China visa now: step by step
- Fill in the visa application form and upload your supporting documents on the Chinese consular portal linked from the embassy's website. There is no fee at this online stage.
- Wait for officials to review your file. Approval of the online application is sent by email.
- Book an appointment slot through the embassy's website.
- Within 30 days of approval, visit the embassy or consulate in person with your passport, the printed application form and original supporting documents.
- Pay the visa fee at the embassy or consulate. Check the official notice for accepted payment modes before you go, as some reports say only demand drafts are being accepted.
Applicants for diplomatic, official or special visas need to book a phone appointment in advance.
Documents you will need
The basic paperwork depends on the type of visa:
- Tourist (L) visa: personal bank statements for the last six months with an average monthly balance of at least Rs 1 lakh, or a fixed deposit certificate issued at least three months before you apply.
- Business (M) visa: an invitation letter or invitation verification notice issued in China by the inviting company.
- Student (X) visa: the original admission notice and the JW202 form.
The embassy has made it clear that applications missing mandatory documents will be rejected, so double-check your file before your appointment.
What it means for Indian travellers
The good news is that the separate service fee charged by the visa centres, around Rs 3,910 for regular service, no longer applies. The flip side is that every applicant now has to physically go to New Delhi or Mumbai, which is a real cost for people in cities such as Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai or Bengaluru. The embassy has said it will add appointment slots if daily capacity proves too tight.
Travel agents are advising people to submit complete files at least ten days before departure. That is especially important for business travellers heading to the China International Import Expo in Shanghai from November 5 to 10.
What happens next
Expect a few weeks of adjustment as the embassy and consulate handle the extra footfall. Before you travel, check the latest notice on the Chinese Embassy's official website, as rules on fees, slots and documents can be updated at short notice.
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