China Visa Guide
About China
China is the world's most populous country with a population of 1.404 billion. The country provides the unique blend of heritage, culture, education, development, growing economy and tourist attractions.
Chinese culture is rich in arts and sciences, detailed painting and printing techniques, delicate pottery, and sculpture. Chinese civilization is considered to be the blend of old traditions and westernized lifestyle.
The main attractions in China are:
- The Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace Beijing
- The Terracotta Army
- The Great Wall of China
- The Summer Palace
- Cruising the Li River
- The Yangtze River and the Three Gorges
- The Classical Garden of Suzhou
- The Potala Palace, Tibet
- Shanghai's Promenade: The Bund
- Hangzhou's Historic West Lake
- The Mausoleum of Light: The Northern Imperial Tomb
- Leshan Giant Buddha
- The Hong Kong Skyline
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Why is China Visa needed?
Since Indian citizens are not granted or are not eligible for Visa on arrival in China, it is mandatory for Indians to obtain Visa before travelling to China. Hence it is recommended to apply for China Visa before planning to visit China.
Eligibility Criteria of China Visa for Indians
The eligibility criteria include:
- Passport: Original passport is having at least six months of validity left, minimum two blank visa pages, a copy of passport's data page and photo page if they separate. If the person proposes to apply for a multi- visa application, the passport validity should have in itself validity of visa and duration of stay.
- Photo and Visa Application Form
- Evidence of legal residential status: The person proposing to apply for Visa is required to provide valid Indian Visa or copy of legal Residence permit in India. If the person has a short term visa in India, note with the details of applicant's name, occupation, a reason to go to China, period the person intends to stay in China by the Embassy or Consulate- General of India is required.
- Application for Visa to be signed by the applicant: In case it is not possible for the applicant to sign, it could be done by the guardian on behalf of the person applying for Visa to China. If an authorised travel agent fills up the form, then stamp of the agent so approved, and signature of the applicant is required. Birth Certificate with the child's parents' name on the original certificate for revocation of Chinese nationality and statement by parents must be submitted if the child is of Chinese or Indian origin. It is also essential that person while making the application for a Chinese Visa must be in India as per the norms. There are different types of Visas issued as per the requirements.
Furthermore, the person should not get involved in types of activities that do not conform to the kind of Visa the person holds. Invalid fraud submission or suppressed information shall cause rejection of an application, and if travel agency involved also provided false information, the travel agency should be disqualified to make an application for Chinese Visa. The application is not accepted by post by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General. Generally, it takes a week or a two to process the Chinese Visa.
This is the procedure to be followed to apply for China Visa for Indians.
How to apply for Visa to China
Indian ordinary passport holders wanting to travel to Tibet in China may join: Pilgrimage group organised by Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs and Indian travel agencies that are authorised, forward the application to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India. Ordinary Tourist Group: local Indian travel agency may arrange Tourist group of Indian origin.
Where to apply for China Visa?
If a person, who has applied for Chinese Visa, resides within the consular district of Chinese Consulate- General in Kolkata and Mumbai, are required to apply to the respective Chinese Consulate- General in Kolkata and Mumbai respectively. The Consular district in Kolkata covers Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Similarly, the consular district in Mumbai covers Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The person who holds an official passport submits an application for a visit to Hong Kong or Macau SAR Visa; no fee shall be charged up to a maximum period of 14 days. If applied for journalist Visa and for Notarization and Attestation are required to follow the steps given in Visa Section of the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata to provide for application.
The individuals who apply for D, J visa, shall be required to go to the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata in person. Similarly, applications for Q1, S1, X1, Z shall be required to go to CVASC (Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata) in Kolkata personally.
How to book an appointment?
A person proposing to apply for Chinese Visa may do so by submitting the application at the Visa Centre. It is, however, advisable to book an appointment in advance in order to process the application quickly. At present, there is no requirement of taking an appointment for applying for China visa.
How to check the Status of China Visa Online:
Individual who already applied for China application online can check the status on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
China Tourist Visa
Individuals who visit China to enjoy vacations and experience different places are issued Tourist Visa. Factors that attract people to travel China are its ancient cities, the natural highlights, diverse culture and fast modernisation. China comes third as the most visited tourist destination country after France and the US. Tourism business of China is incessantly increasing. According to the reports, most foreign travellers to visit or have visited China are Asian.
Documents Required:
The following are the China visa requirements:
- The applicant must have a passport having the validity of at least six months and also a copy of the passport's date page.
- The application form should be completely filled up. The details should be filled up accurately, where the question is not applicable, the applicant should use "N/A".
- Latest photograph of the applicant with a white background should be attached to the application form.
- Documents showing the confirmation of accommodation, proof of return tickets. If in case, the person is invited, the invited person should show the invitation letter showing the person's date of birth, full name, gender, planned visit, places of visit, date to entry and departure and also the information of the person who has invited, his name, contact number, official stamp, address and signature of the legal representative of the entity.
- If the applicant is not applying from the country where the person has citizenship, then evidence of legal stay is necessary.
- There are cases where the applicant needs to provide a letter of certification along with the details like name and contact number of the employer, applicant's income statement or a copy of previous six-month bank statement of the person who is applying.
- An applicant who wishes to travel to Tibet should necessarily obtain a Tibet Travel Permit which can be obtained from Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region by travel agencies.
To avail China Tourist visa, all the documents should be submitted to Chinese consulates, embassies or Chinese Visa Application Center. In countries with CVASCS, applicants may send by post or submit applications based on online appointment.
Duration of China Tourist Visa:
Generally, the duration is 30- 60 days for tourist.
Types of China Visas
| Categories | Description |
| Crew Visa (C) | This is generally for foreign crew members for international transportation that includes aircraft, trains, ships that are usually involved in cross border transport or to family members who desire to accompany the crew members. |
| D | This is generally issued to those applicants who have the desire or plan of residing in China permanently. |
| F | This category of Visa is issued to the applicants who plan to go to China for study tours, regular visits, exchanges and other particular activities. |
| G | This is generally issued to applicants who shall transit through China. |
| J1 | Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organisation come under this category of China visa. The duration of stay shall not be exceeding 180 days in particular |
| L | Individual who want to visit places and like adventures are generally issued this category of visa. They come under this category of visa. |
| J2 |
Foreign journalists come under this category who wish to travel China for new coverage generally for short term duration. However, the duration of stay in China for applicants falling under this category shall not exceed 180 days in particular. |
| M | M category visa is generally issued to applicant wanting to initiate trade and commercial activities |
| Q1 | This category of visa is usually issued to applicants who have family in China or family members of foreigners who have been granted Chinese permanent residence and have a desire to go for a family get together or for foster care. The duration of stay for applicants falling under this category shall not be exceeding 180 days in particular. Family members include daughters, sons, spouses, parents, spouses of sons or sisters, brothers, daughters, granddaughters, grandparents, grandsons and parents-in-law. |
| Q2 | This is generally issued to applicants who desire to pay a visit to their relatives who are Chinese citizens or who are not citizens but have been granted permanent residence in China. The duration of stay, however, should not exceed 180 days in particular |
| R | The applicants who are highly skilled and urgently required in China are issued this Visa |
| S1 | This category of visa is generally issued to applicants who are expected to visit working foreigners or to study in China to whom they have a relation of spouses, sons or daughters below the age of 18 or parents-in-law or those having the intention for other private affairs. The duration of stay should not exceed 180 days. |
| S2 | This category of visa is issued to those applicants who desire to visit the members of a family who are foreigners studying or working in China or have the intention of travelling to China for private affairs other than mentioned above. However, the duration of stay should not, in any case, exceed 180 days. |
| X1 | This kind of visa is issued to the applicants who want to pursue their education for a period of more than 180 days. |
| X2 | This kind of visa is issued to those applicants who want to pursue their education within a maximum period of 180 days. |
| Z | Z category visa is issued to applicants who have the intention of working in China. |
China Tourist Visa:
Individuals who visit China to enjoy vacations and experience different places are issued Tourist Visa. Factors that attract people to travel China are its ancient cities, the natural highlights, diverse culture, and fast modernisation. Generally, the duration is 30- 60 days for tourist.
China Business Visa:
China does offer many business opportunities like starting a pharmaceutical company, providing additional education, skincare companies, small-scale food production. To start a venture, it is necessary to apply for a Business China Visa.
Documents required:
Following documents are needed to China Business Visa:
- The applicant must have a valid passport having at least six months from the day of entry in China.
- An application form that is duly filled. The information should be accurate.
- Two latest passports sized photographs with white background. The face should be completely visible.
- The applicant should submit the covering letter providing the full details of the company, whatsoever relevant.
- Letter of invitation from China mentioning full details on the company letterhead: Details of a passenger, details of the meeting, travel dates, signatory person name, designation, company stamp, and seal
- Bank statement of the applicant for the previous six months.
- The applicant should also have air tickets.
China Visitor Visa:
Documents Required:
Following documents are needed in order avail Visitor Visa for China:
- Passport of original having six months validity from the day of entry in China.
- Two latest photographs of the applicant having a white background.
- The applicant should also submit the covering letter indicating the travelling details and that of the traveller.
- Bank statement of the applicant for the previous six months.
- Proof showing the confirmed air ticket.
- Leave sanction letter from the company if the person is employed.
- If the applicant is a student, then sanction letter from school or college.
- If the applicant is visiting friends or family, then copies of passport and visa, letter of invitation showing the details of travel and traveller, proof of the family relationship, if visiting relatives and evidence of accommodation in China.
China Work Visa:
China Work Visa is generally issued to the applicants who have been granted employment permit and has the desire of working in China. The applicant holding work visa of China should usually enter in China within ninety days of visa issuance and after that should register at local public security bureau within thirty days of arrival.
The following documents should be submitted to avail the work visa for China:
- The applicant should submit the applicant having six months validity and photocopy of the passport's data page
- An application form that is duly filled and completed.
- Latest photography with a white background should be attached with the application form.
- Evidence of legal status.
- Letter of invitation that is duly authorised or letter of confirmation issued by the Chinese authority and also should have the following approval documents:
China Student Visa:
Following documents are necessary for availing a China Student Visa:
- Passport original in nature having six months validity from the day of entry in China.
- Two latest photographs of the applicant with a white background.
- Application form duly filled in accurately.
- Admission notice from the Chinese university or school both in original and copy
- Jw201 or JW202 form for X1 application only. Original and a copy of an approved Foreign student visa application.
China Visa Fees
| Purpose | Fees (Approximately) |
| Single Entry | Rs. 5552/- (Approx.) |
| Multiple Entry | Rs. 7502/- (Approx) |
Any Individual proposing to apply for China Visa shall have to bear the China Visa Fees for single entry Rs. 3900/-, for double entry Rs. 5850/-, for half year multiple entries Rs. 7800/- and for One Year Multiple Entry Rs. 11700/-
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Does China offer business opportunities?
Yes, it does offer business opportunities like small scale food production, start a pharmaceutical company.
Do I need to apply for a student visa?
There are two types of visa depending on the duration of the course a student opts for X1- education if the duration is for more than 180 days and X2- if the education course period is not more than 180 days.
Is China a suitable place for spending ?
Yes, China is the right place for spending a vacation since it ranks third in terms of tourism.
Should I take travel insurance?
Yes, it is recommended that take travel insurance when you go on a trip. Especially on international travels, travel insurance can provide numerous benefits to ensure that you have a safe and stress-free trip. With ICICI Lombard General Insurance (Bharti AXA General Insurance*), you can create a customised insurance policy based on the needs of your travel.