China
China visa in India: embassy now takes applications directly
From 26 October 2026, China's New Delhi embassy and Mumbai consulate take visa applications directly. Gujarat applies in New Delhi and pays by Demand Draft.
The short answers
Has the China visa application centre in India closed?
The Chinese Embassy in India says that from 26 October 2026 it and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai accept and process visa applications directly. Its notice of 22 October 2026 sends applicants to the embassy or consulate for their area to hand in the passport and papers, and to collect the visa there.
Where do I submit my China visa application from Gujarat?
A China visa application from Gujarat goes to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. The embassy's notice sends applicants living in Maharashtra and Karnataka to the Consulate General in Mumbai, and everyone else in India, Gujarat included, to the embassy.
How do I pay the China visa fee in India?
The China visa fee in India is paid by Demand Draft, at the embassy or consulate, when the visa is collected. The embassy's fee notice says cash, personal cheques and other payment methods are not accepted for now, and the draft must be printed by the bank.
What is the China visa fee for Indian citizens?
The China visa fee for an Indian passport is ₹2,900 for a single entry, ₹4,400 for a double entry, ₹5,900 for six months' multiple entry and ₹8,800 for 12 months or more, according to the embassy's fee schedule dated 22 October 2026. Express collection in four working days costs ₹1,800 on top, and urgent collection in two working days ₹2,700 where it is offered.
Before and after
- Until 26 October 2026
- Passports and papers were handed in at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center, which passed them to the embassy.
- Since 26 October 2026
- The embassy in New Delhi and the consulate in Mumbai take the passport and papers themselves.
What changed
The Chinese Embassy in India announced on 22 October 2026 that, from 26 October, it and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai would accept and process visa applications directly. The same notice covers consular legalization of documents. Applicants in the Kolkata consulate's district are handled by the embassy in New Delhi for the time being.
Which office takes a file depends on where the applicant lives. Residents of Maharashtra and Karnataka apply to the consulate in Mumbai. Residents of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal apply to the embassy for now, and so does everyone else, which puts Gujarat with New Delhi.
The first step has not changed. The form and documents are filled in and uploaded on China's online consular system, and the file waits there for review. No fee is paid at that stage. When the approval email arrives, the applicant has 30 days to go to the embassy or consulate with the passport, the form and the supporting documents, and to give fingerprints if they are required. The fee is paid on the collection date shown on the pick-up slip.
Payment is by Demand Draft only, printed by an Indian or international bank. For the embassy it is made payable to "CHINESE EMBASSY, NEW DELHI", and for the Mumbai consulate to the consulate general by its full name. The applicant's full name, pick-up slip number and phone number go on the back. The embassy's notice also says that an application lodged through a travel agency must include the agency's qualification documents and the agent's identity document.
What they published
Notice on the Direct Acceptance and Process of Applications for Chinese Visas and Consular Legalization (22 October 2026)
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India · read 27 October 2026
As of October 26, 2026, the Chinese Embassy in India and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai will directly accept and process applications for Chinese visas and consular legalization.
Relevant services within the consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata will temporarily be handled by the Chinese Embassy in India.
Notice on Chinese Visa Application (22 October 2026)
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India · read 27 October 2026
Applicants residing in Maharashtra and Karnataka shall submit their visa applications to the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai.
Applicants residing in other areas other than those mentioned above shall submit their visa applications to the Chinese Embassy in India.
submit them for online review (no fee shall be paid at this step)
Within 30 days upon receipt of this notification, the applicant shall go to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in India to submit the passport, visa application form and other relevant documents
If the application is submitted through a third party or travel agency, the qualification documents of the agency and the identity document of the agent shall be provided.
Notice on Schedule of Fees for Consular Service (22 October 2026)
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India · read 27 October 2026
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India only accept Demand Draft. Cash, personal checks, and other payment methods are temporarily not accepted.
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