Key Highlights
- How to Get China Tourist Visa from India? Updated Guide 2025
- How to Get China Business Visa from India (M Visa)?
- What Are the Different Types of China Visas Available for Indians in 2025?
- What Documents Do You Need for China Visa Application?
- How to Apply for a China Visa from India: Step-by-Step Guide 2025?
- How Much Does a China Visa Cost for Indians in 2025?
- What Are the Processing Times for China Visas in 2025?
- What are the Common China Visa Application Mistakes to Avoid in 2025?
- Expert Tips for a Successful China Visa Application in 2025
- Latest Trends and News About China Visa From India 2025
- Conclusion
However, Indian citizens can seek a Chinese visa by applying at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. How to get China visa from India is quite simple since it presupposes filling in an online COVA form, preparing the necessary documents, and submitting them directly with the help of biometric data collection. Understanding how to get a Chinese visa from India has become crucial for the increasing number of Indians travelling to China for business, tourism, and educational purposes.
The process of getting a Chinese visa from India has been streamlined in 2025, with walk-in applications now accepted since November 2023, eliminating the need for appointment booking. Three operational service centres handle different jurisdictional areas across India, making it easier for travellers seeking to visit China.
How to Get China Tourist Visa from India? Updated Guide 2025
To learn how to get China tourist visa from India, it is important to carefully plan and understand the requirements of a leisure traveler. The L visa or tourist visa is aimed at people who are visiting China to visit friends or relatives, carry out a tourism-related activity or see the sights. To learn how to get a China tourist visa from India is to understand the single entry and multiple entry options that can be acquired by Indian travellers.
Tourist visas can also be single and multiple entry; the general validity of single entry is 30 days. But based on your travel history and certain conditions, you can have longer periods of validity or entry permissions. Successful applications for a China tourist visa from India boil down to showing that you have good travel intentions, have adequate financial capability, and that you have documented your intended tour program.
Essential Requirements for Tourist Visas
The process how to get China tourist visa from India begins with the understanding of what the fundamental requirements are that every tourist visa seeker needs to meet. Applicants for a tourist visa have to give specific day-by-day itineraries of where they intend to visit and stay in China. Bookings of the hotel should also be verified and even translated into the Chinese language so that they can be processed better.
The requirements of financial proving are also strict when it comes to learning how to get China tourist visa from India and the applicants must show a minimum bank balance of 300,000 maintained in the last six months. Tourism requires documents that specify:
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Timetable as to where and when to go.
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Reserved round trip flight tickets with dates of entry and departure.
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Hotel bookings for the whole stay period.
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Comprehensive China travel coverage insurance.
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Bank Statements with a minimum balance of 3 lakh and above are kept.
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A letter of introduction for the purpose of the visit and the travel plan.
Single vs Multiple Entry Tourist Visas
In applications of how to get China tourist visa from India, the applicants have to select between single and multiple entries. Single-entry tourist visas of 30 days are usually granted, although multiple-entry visas can be granted to frequent travellers or visitors with special reasons to visit more than once. First-time applicants usually receive single entry visas, while repeat visitors with good compliance history may be eligible for multiple entry permissions when applying for how to get china tourist visa from India.
Also Read: Difference Between Tourist Visa and Visitor Visa
How to Get China Business Visa from India (M Visa)?
Understanding how to get business visa for China from India involves a more complex application process than tourist visas, requiring additional corporate documentation and business justifications. To understand how to get a business visa for China from India, it is important to learn that a business visa has several benefits over a tourist visa, such as a higher validity period, multiple entries, and even the ability to conduct business in China legally. To know how to get a China business visa from India means to know how to prepare the requirements and how to prepare the documents that are important and essential in order to get the business visa.
Business Invitation Letter Requirements
An invitation letter by a Chinese organization is the pillar of any how to get business visa for China from India application. The document should be official, elaborated, and include certain information concerning the inviting company, the purpose of the visit, duration of stay and financial liability of the inviting company on the expenses of the visitor. To know how to get business visa for China from India, the invitation letter must contain detailed information about:
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Full information of the inviting Chinese company, including registration.
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Inviting entity with verification of the Business license number.
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Nature and purpose of business activities that are to be carried out.
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Length of time and specific dates of proposed visit and detailed schedule.
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Budget statement of financial responsibility, including expense coverage.
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Contact details of the responsible persons, including direct phone numbers.
Canton Fair and Trade Show Applications
Learning how to get business visa for China from India for trade shows like the Canton Fair involves additional requirements and expedited processing options. The trade show paperwork necessary in the process of how to get China business visa from India will include:
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An invitation issued by the organisers of the trade fair containing information about the event.
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Confirmation of registration and booking of booths, including payment receipts.
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Company description and product lists which prove the character of the business.
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Past history of trade fairs with business legitimacy.
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Business itinerary with dates and meeting schedules in fair detail.
What Are the Different Types of China Visas Available for Indians in 2025?
In understanding how to get China business visa from India, it is useful to learn the entire scope of visa types so that an applicant can choose the best one in accordance with his needs. China has one of the most extensive sets of visa types that fit different travel purposes and plans.
Visa Type |
Purpose |
Validity |
Entry Type |
Processing Time |
L (Tourist) |
Tourism, visiting friends |
30-90 days |
Single/Multiple |
3-4 weeks |
M (Business) |
Commercial activities |
30-90 days |
Multiple |
3-4 weeks |
F (Exchange) |
Academic/cultural exchange |
30-90 days |
Single/Multiple |
3-4 weeks |
X1 (Study) |
Long-term study (>180 days) |
Multiple entry |
Multiple |
4-5 weeks |
X2 (Study) |
Short-term study (<180 days) |
Single entry |
Single |
3-4 weeks |
Z (Work) |
Employment in China |
Variable |
Multiple |
4-6 weeks |
G (Transit) |
Transit through China |
24-144 hours |
Single |
1-2 weeks |
Choosing the Right Visa Category
Choosing the correct type of visa is essential in terms of how to get a China visa from India, and not breaking the law during your stay in China. The wrong type of visa can result in the rejection of the application or inconveniences in the process of entering and staying in China. Factors to be considered in deciding how to get china visa from india applications:
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The main reason you have visited China.
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Length of planned residency period
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Visit frequency per year.
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Activities that you intend to do in China.
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Personal or Sponsoring entity in China.
Read More: US Visa Bulletin September: Green Card Setback Details
What Documents Do You Need for China Visa Application?
Successfully completing how to get China visa from India requires meticulous document preparation and organization. The documentation requirements vary by visa category, but certain core documents are mandatory for all applications. Understanding these requirements and preparing documents correctly significantly improves approval chances and reduces processing delays. Document preparation for how to get China visa from India should begin well in advance of your intended travel dates, as obtaining some documents can take several weeks.
Essential Documents for All China Visa Types
Anyhow, to get a China visa from India, the application should have basic documents which determine the identity of the applicant, his or her travelling capacity and their legal position in India. These are your basic documents, and they need to be prepared with a lot of detail. Prerequisites of all how to get china visa from india applications:
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COVA online application form and confirmation page containing a unique application ID.
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An available original passport with 2 blank pages and a minimum of 6 months' validity.
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New passport-sized 48mm x 33 mm white background photographs.
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Evidence of being a resident of India (Aadhaar card, voter ID, or employment certificate)
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Past Chinese visas, where applicable, indicate the compliance history and travelling behaviour.
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On submission appointment at the visa center, biometric fingerprints are collected.
Additional Documents for Tourist Visas
Visa requirements that are unique to tourists, in terms of how to get China visa from India:
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Day-by-day itinerary with opportunities to visit certain sites and arrangements.
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Verified airline tickets with definite dates of entry and exit.
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Hotel reservation for the entire stay period, preferably in the Chinese language.
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6 months' bank statements with a minimum 300,000 balance at all times.
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Comprehensive medical insurance plus repatriation insurance.
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Cover letter detailing the purpose of the visit and travel arrangements, including justification of travel arrangements.
Specific Requirements for Business Visas
Specific business documentations on how to get China visa from India:
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Chinese entity business invitation letter containing all company registration information.
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Current validity certificates of the company registration documents of the Indian employer.
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Work certificate of present employment position and status.
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Invitation business license of a Chinese company based on verification documents.
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Registration of trade fairs in the case of commercial events with confirmation receipts.
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Business stability and financial ability, as evidenced by corporate bank statements.
How to Apply for a China Visa from India: Step-by-Step Guide 2025?
The systematic approach to where to get China visa in India has a particular step-by-step procedure which has to be finished in the proper order. Knowing each step and the needs leads to delays being avoided and efficient application processing. In 2025, the process of how to get China visa from India has been simplified, and the requirement of making an appointment has been removed and is more digitally integrated.
The total time how to get China visa from India application process would normally be 4-6 weeks long, excluding the time spent in preparing the documents. Having a proper plan for your application can help you get your visa long before you plan to travel.
Step 1: Complete Online COVA Application
COVA completion requirements for how to get China visa from India:
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Accurate personal information matching passport details exactly without any discrepancies
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Detailed travel plans including specific dates, destinations, and accommodation arrangements
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Digital passport photograph meeting exact specifications (48mm x 33mm with white background)
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Application ID generation for tracking and reference throughout the process
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Form printing with a confirmation page for mandatory physical submission
Step 2: Choose the Right Visa Application Center
Jurisdictional coverage for how to get China visa from India centers:
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New Delhi Centre: Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir
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Mumbai Centre: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
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Kolkata Centre: West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Northeast states
Step 3: Prepare and Submit Documents
Submission process steps for how to get China visa from India:
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Document organisation in the specific order specified by the visa centre
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Walk-in submission (no appointment required since November 2023 policy change)
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Document verification by experienced visa centre staff members
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Biometric data collection, including fingerprints and high-quality photograph capture
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Fee payment completion and receipt collection for tracking purposes
Step 4: Pay Visa Fees and Collect Receipt
Payment requirements for how to get China visa from India:
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Cash-only policy (no credit cards, debit cards, or digital payments accepted)
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Exact amount preparation to avoid change-related delays during processing
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Receipt collection for application tracking and visa collection procedures
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Express processing options are available for additional fees when urgency is required
Also Read: 7 Simple Steps for Getting a Japan Tourist Visa
How Much Does a China Visa Cost for Indians in 2025?
Knowing the entire cost system of the way to obtain China visa from India will assist the applicant to plan their finances well and will prevent unnecessary surprises when applying. The fee payment has been revised in 2025 to capture better services and improvements in digital integration in all visa application centers.
China Visa Fee Structure 2025
Base visa fees by category for how to get China visa from India:
Visa Type |
Government Fee |
Service Centre Fee |
Express Processing |
Total Cost |
Tourist (L) |
Rs. 2900 |
Rs. 1,200 |
Rs. 1,800 (optional) |
Rs. 4,100- Rs. 5,900 |
Business (M) |
Rs. 2900 |
Rs. 1,200 |
Rs. 1,800 (optional) |
Rs. 4,100- Rs. 5,900 |
Student (X1/X2) |
Rs. 2900 |
Rs. 1,200 |
Rs. 1,800 (optional) |
Rs. 4,100- Rs. 5,900 |
Work (Z) |
Rs. 4350 |
Rs. 1,200 |
Rs. 1,800 (optional) |
Rs. 5,550- Rs. 7,350 |
Payment Methods and Additional Costs
All visa application points of how to get China visa from India have a rigid policy of cash payment only. No place accepts credit cards, debit cards or digital payments in the whole of India. You are required to come with the precise sums of money to avoid wastage of time in the process of paying. Other service rates for how to get China visa from India:
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Courier Delivery Service: 500 rupees to get a convenient passport delivery service.
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SMS Status Updates: 50 rupees to send regular status updates through the mobile.
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Photo Service, Professional: 200 rupees when submitted photographs fail to meet the specifications.
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Extra Document Validation: 300 rupees charged to verify additional documents when necessary.
What Are the Processing Times for China Visas in 2025?
The time taken to process how to get China visa from India depends on a number of factors such as the type of visa to apply, completeness of application and seasonal demand trends. This knowledge of timelines assists the applicants in ensuring that they schedule their travel dates in advance and do not get into any last-minute trouble.
Standard Processing Timeline
Periodic updating of the processing time on how to get China visa from India:
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Tourist Visa: 3-4 weeks between application and pick up at the visa offices.
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Business Visas: 3-4 weeks, and there may be expedited services for Visa urgency.
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Student Visas: 4-5 weeks since other verifications have to be done with educational institutions.
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Work Visas: 4-6 weeks, including background check and work permit applications.
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Express Processing: 3 working days at 1800 extra charge when possible.
What Factors Affect Visa Processing Speed for China
Processing speed influences for how to get China visa from India:
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Document Completeness: Missing or incorrect documents cause significant processing delays
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First Time vs Repeat Applicants: Previous visa holders often experience faster processing times
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Peak Season Demand: Spring and autumn months see increased processing times
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Security clearances: Some applicants may require additional background verification procedures
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Holiday Schedules: Chinese national holidays pause all processing activities temporarily
What are the Common China Visa Application Mistakes to Avoid in 2025?
To successfully pass the how to get China visa from India, it is important to avoid the pitfalls that result in delays in the application process or even a complete rejection of the application. Training on common errors assists the applicant in making a better application and a high probability of getting their travel arrangements approved.
Document-Related Errors
Common documentation mistakes in how to get China visa from India applications:
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Incomplete COVA forms with missing or inconsistent information entries
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Poor quality photographs not meeting exact size or background specifications
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Insufficient passport validity (less than 6 months remaining at travel time)
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Missing supporting documents required for specific visa categories
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Information inconsistencies between different submitted documents
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Outdated bank statements or insufficient financial documentation proof
Common Application Process Mistakes
Process-related errors in how to get China visa from India applications:
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Wrong visa centre selection based on jurisdictional requirements and residence
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Inadequate processing time allowance for the intended travel date requirements
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Insufficient financial documentation, not meeting minimum balance requirements consistently
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Poor itinerary planning, lacking necessary detail or realistic timelines
Also Read: Japan Nurse Salary: Latest Experts' Salary Guide
Expert Tips for a Successful China Visa Application in 2025
The effective how to get China visa from India is based on proper preparation, detail, consideration, and knowledge of other vehicle requirements. These tested tips enhance acceptance rates as well as make the application process much easier.
Pre-Application Preparation
Preparation strategies for successful how to get China visa from India applications:
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Start Early: Begin preparation 6-8 weeks before intended travel dates
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Research Thoroughly: Understand specific requirements for your chosen visa category
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Organise Documents: Create comprehensive checklists and gather all materials systematically
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Verify Authenticity: Ensure all documents are current and properly formatted
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Financial Preparation: Maintain required bank balances well in advance of application
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Professional Photography: Obtain photographs meeting the exact Chinese visa specifications
During Application Submission
Submission best practices for how to get China visa from India:
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Arrive Well-Prepared: Bring all documents organised in the exact required order
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Professional Presentation: Dress appropriately and maintain courteous behaviour throughout
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Complete Documentation: Double-check all required documents before submission
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Accurate Information: Provide consistent and truthful information throughout the process
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Follow Instructions: Adhere to all visa centre guidelines and procedures carefully
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Keep Receipts: Maintain all documentation for tracking and collection purposes
Latest Trends and News About China Visa From India 2025
Here are the latest trends and news:
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Walk-In Applications Accepted: Since November 2023, it is no longer required to book an appointment.
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Three Service Centres are in Operation: New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, which serve different jurisdictions.
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Growth in Monetary Needs: Tourist visa applicants must have a minimum bank deposit of 3,00,000.
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Online Integration: The presence of an online COVA system is required before the actual submission.
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Biometric Collection: 10-finger scanning of most applicants with certain exemptions.
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Express Processing Option: 3 days express processing at 1800 more.
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Revised Document Requirements: In August 2024, some of the workflows were simplified.
Conclusion
The process of how to get China visa in India will be made easier in 2025 with in-person applications and digitalisation, but adequate preparation is the key to success. Indian applicants must pay attention to full documentation, sufficient processing time, and the selection of the appropriate jurisdictional visa centre according to their state of residence. The secret to success is to be well prepared, file the necessary documents correctly, and have the knowledge of what it takes for your type of visa, tourist or business.
After the abolishment of the prerequisite of appointments and improved internet, it has become more approachable and yet the documentation standards can be regarded as high. For official visa requirements and updates, visit the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre website. To know more about the China Visa from India, visit TerraTern now!