China Visa Rules from 26 October 2026

Indian travellers planning to visit China should note an important change to the visa application process. From 26 October 2026, the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres (CVASC) in New Delhi and Mumbai will stop accepting new Chinese visa and consular legalisation applications. Applicants will instead submit their applications directly to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai, depending on their consular jurisdiction.

The change was announced by the Chinese Embassy in India on 22 October 2026. Although applications will begin online, applicants must still submit their passports and required documents in person after their applications pass online review.

The new procedure applies to mainland China visa applications, including tourist and business visas.

What changes for China visa applicants from 26 October 2026?

Under the new arrangement, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in Mumbai will directly accept and process applications previously handled through the visa application centres.

The key changes are:

• Effective date: 26 October 2026.

• Application submission: New applications will be handled directly by the relevant Chinese diplomatic mission.

• Online application: Applicants must complete the application form and upload supporting documents through the official portal.

• Passport submission: After passing online review, applicants must submit their passport and documents in person within 30 days.

• Existing CVASC applications: Processed documents can be collected from the New Delhi and Mumbai centres until 12:00 noon on 30 October 2026.

• Service fees: No CVASC service fee will be charged for online applications submitted after 5:00 p.m. on 23 October 2026. Applicable Chinese visa fees remain payable.

These changes concern the application procedure and do not mean that China has introduced a fully online visa process.

Which Chinese Embassy or Consulate should applicants use?

Applicants must submit their visa applications according to the consular jurisdiction covering their place of residence.

The Chinese Embassy has confirmed that services for the former Kolkata Consulate General's consular district will temporarily be handled in New Delhi.

Applicants should confirm the latest jurisdiction instructions before travelling to submit their documents.

How to apply for a China visa under the new procedure

Applicants should follow these steps from 26 October 2026:

1. Complete the online application: Visit the official Chinese visa application portal, complete the application form and upload the required supporting documents.

2. Wait for online review: The relevant Chinese mission will review the submitted application. Applicants will receive the result by email. No fee is payable during this initial review stage.

3. Submit documents in person: Once the online application passes preliminary review, applicants must submit their passport, printed application form and required documents to the responsible Chinese mission within 30 days of receiving the notification. Fingerprints may be collected where required.

4. Pay the applicable fee and collect the passport: Applicants should follow the collection date and payment instructions issued by the Embassy or Consulate.

Important: Passing online review does not guarantee that a Chinese visa will be issued. The final decision remains with the relevant Chinese authorities.

Applicants should refer to the official Chinese Embassy visa application instructions for category-specific documentation requirements.

What happens to applications already submitted through CVASC?

Applicants who submitted their passports or other documents through the New Delhi or Mumbai CVASC centres before the transition should check their application status and collection arrangements.

According to the official notices issued by both centres on 22 October 2026:

• Processed documents will remain available for collection until 12:00 noon on 30 October 2026.

• No CVASC service fee will be charged for online applications submitted after 5:00 p.m. on 23 October 2026.

• Service fees already collected for online applications submitted before that time are non-refundable.

The service-fee waiver does not mean Chinese visas are free. Applicants must still pay the applicable consular visa fee.

Applicants whose documents are pending or have not yet been processed should contact the relevant centre or Chinese mission directly to confirm the next steps.

Official centre notices:

• New Delhi Chinese Visa Application Service Centre

• Mumbai Chinese Visa Application Service Centre

How long will China visa processing take?

Under the Chinese Embassy's updated instructions, the stated processing periods are:

These periods are calculated from the day after the applicant physically submits their passport.

The time required for the initial online review is separate. Applicants should avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements solely on the basis of the published processing periods.

Does the change affect document legalisation?

Yes. The new direct-processing arrangement also covers Chinese consular legalisation applications previously handled through the visa application centres.

Document legalisation follows a separate procedure from visa applications, with its own supporting documents and jurisdiction requirements.

Applicants preparing Indian-issued documents for use in mainland China should consult the Chinese Embassy's official document-legalisation instructions before submitting their documents.

What should Indian travellers do next?

Indian applicants planning to visit China for tourism, business or other permitted purposes should review the updated application procedure before starting their visa application.

Applicants should confirm their consular jurisdiction, prepare the required supporting documents and complete the online application before arranging in-person passport submission.

Those who have already submitted documents through CVASC should verify their application status and collection arrangements with the relevant centre.

For further information about visa categories and supporting documents, read China visa guide for Indians and China business visa guide.

Need assistance with your China visa application? BTWVisas provides visa application guidance and documentation assistance for Indian travellers and business visitors. Contact the BTWVisas team to understand the requirements for your visa category.

Visa issuance and final decisions remain with the relevant Chinese diplomatic authorities.

Official sources

1. Chinese Embassy in India — Notice on Direct Acceptance and Processing of Chinese Visa and Consular Legalisation Applications, 22 October 2026.

2. Chinese Embassy in India — Notice on Chinese Visa Application (2026.10.22).

3. New Delhi Chinese Visa Application Service Centre — Official Notice, updated 22 October 2026.

4. Mumbai Chinese Visa Application Service Centre — Official Notice, updated 22 October 2026.

5. Chinese Embassy in India — Notice on Consular Legalisation of Documents.

Information verified against official notices available on 24 October 2026. Applicants should confirm current requirements with the responsible Chinese mission before applying or travelling for document submission.