Updated on 15 March, 2023

As of 15 March 2023, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India will adopt the following new measures for Chinese visa application.

1. Application Procedures

1.1 Visa applications are processed in accordance with respective consular jurisdiction areas of Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in India. 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. Please check issue place of your passport for confirming the jurisdiction areas.

1.2 For applicants residing in the consular jurisdiction area of Chinese Consulate in Kolkata, please submit visa application documents through Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata. First of all, please visit the website of Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata https://www.visaforchina.cn/#/nav/quickSelection?visacenterCode=CCU2&request_locale=en_US&site_alias=CCU2_EN&isAuthentication=N  

fill out visa application form and confirmation page online，make an appointment, print out the confirmation page and full form, and sign name. Then at the appointment time, submit the application in person with materials (please see Part 2 for material requirements) at Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata and retain ten fingerprints.

1.3 The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprint collection: those who are under the age of 14 or over the age of 70; those who already had fingerprints collected within the past five years at Chinese Embassy in India or Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata using the same passport; Applicants with all fingerprints uncollectable.

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 relevant passport pages；and expired passports within 5 years and the photocopy of relevant passport pages.

(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) Covering letter (For details, please check following 2.3  Special Reminder and Other Supplementing Document Requirements )

2.2 Category Documents

In addition to the general documents in 2.1, the following supporting documents for respective visa categories must be submitted:

2.3  Special Reminder and Other Supplementing Document Requirements

C Visa

(1) Non-regular scheduled flight, chartered flight, private plane must get the Aviation Permit before departure.

(2) Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

D Visa

Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

F Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b.Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)

c.Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

(2) Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

G Visa

 Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person if applicable).

J1/J2 Visa

 Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

M Visa

(1) Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b.Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)

c.Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).

(2) Personal or company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

Q1 Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b. Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting  individual, financial source for expenditures)

c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature etc.)

(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting person).

Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

Q2 Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)

c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.)

(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting person).

R Visa

Personal or company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

S1 Visa

(1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b.Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows:  basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting person).

We kindly remind you that:

Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

S2-Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows:  basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting person).

X1/X2 Visa

Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows:  basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the university).

 

Z-Visa

(1) One of the following supporting documents is required:

a. Original Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China issued by Chinese government authorities for Human Resources and Social Security. If the work period is 90 days or less, original Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in P.R. China is needed.

b.Original Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts.

c.Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit in the People's Republic of China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts.

d.Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of Enterprises of Foreign Countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration.

e. An original approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs. If the performance period is 90 days or less, original Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in P.R. China is needed.

f.Original Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;

(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows:  basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

We kindly remind you that:

A holder of category Z visa must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China unless the Duration of Each Stay on the visa is marked as 30 days.

Other Important Reminder

(1) The applicant should guarantee that all information provided in the application is true and correct. Any false, misleading or incomplete information may result in denial of the visa or refusal of entry into China.

(3)  The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but consular officers may require the applicant to submit the original invitation letter.

(3) Consular officers may require the applicant to provide other supporting documents, or require an interview with the applicant. Consular officers will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

3. Cases Not Needing To Apply For A New Visa

(1) Foreign nationals who subject to mutual visa exemption agreements; 

(2) Valid permanent resident permit ID card;

(3) Valid residence permits;

(4) Holding valid APEC Business Travel Cards  (please note: To further facilitate business travel, APEC Virtual Cards holders will also be accepted for entry from 1 May 2023. As transitional arrangement, APEC Virtual Card holders who need to apply for a visa before 1 May 2023 will be facilitated by the Embassy, please contact the consular section of the Embassy for details);

(5) Transit Visa Exemption Program.

(6) Hainan visa-free policy; Visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai port; Guangdong visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups entering from Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR; visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries entering Guilin, Guangxi province (For details, please contact the immigration inspection authorities of the intended destination).

4. Submitting Channels for Visa Application

Please submit visa applications to Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi, or in Kolkata or in Mumbai, according to respective consular jurisdiction area (checking issue place of your passport). For details of visa process, requirements, time limit and fees, please contact relevant visa center or refer to their websites.

4.1 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.

Tel：91-9999036735 (Weekdays 9:00 am - 14:00 pm, 15:00 pm - 17:00 pm).

E-mail：delhiCentre@visaforchina.org

4.2 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.

Tel：91-9999036735 (Monday, Friday), 91-033 40010210 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), Weekdays 9:00 am - 12:00 am, 13:00 pm - 16:00 pm.

E-mail：kolkataCentre@visaforchina.org

4.3 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In Mumbai

Address: 8th Floor, Mafatlal Center, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021.

Tel：91-22-22855271 (Weekdays 9:00 am - 12:00 am, 14:00 pm - 17:00 pm).

E-mail：MumbaiCentre@visaforchina.org

5. Applications For Diplomatic And Service Passport Holders And Diplomatic, Service And Courtesy Visas

Please fill out the visa application form online through website of Chinese Visa Application Service Centre Kolkata https://www.visaforchina.cn/#/nav/quickSelection?visacenterCode=CCU2&request_locale=en_US&site_alias=CCU2_EN&isAuthentication=N  
(no online appointment is required), print out the confirmation page and full form, sign name, and submit visa application with 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 and an official note to the Consular Section of Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata. Diplomatic and Service Passport holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visa applicants are exempted from fingerprint collection. For relevant questions, please directly contact the Consular Section of Chinese Embassy in India.

6. Consultation For Visa Application Within Consular Jurisdiction Area of Chinese Consulate  in Kolkata

Address: EC 72, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, 700064

E-mail:  consulate_kkt@mfa.gov.cn

Tel：91-33-40045211, 0091-33-23377712 (Weekdays 9:30am-12:30pm，15:30pm-17:30pm).

Fax：91-33-40045201

7. Interpretation of Notice

This notice is interpreted by Chinese Embassy in India. In the event of any inconsistency between the previously released information and this notice, this notice shall prevail.

        Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, Kolkata

                   15 March, 2023