From 26 October 2026, the Chinese visa application centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata stop accepting new applications. Indian applicants now file directly with the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai, depending on where they live. The embassy published the change in a notice dated 22 October 2026. Here is what is confirmed, what has been reported by the travel trade, and what to check before you file.
What Changed at a Glance
| Detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Effective date | 26 October 2026 |
| Who processes applications | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate General in Mumbai, not the visa centres |
| Visa centres affected | New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata stop taking new applications |
| Kolkata consular district | Temporarily handled by the Embassy in New Delhi |
| Also covered | Consular legalisation of documents, not only visas |
| Start the process | Online, through the Chinese government visa portal |
| Payment | Demand draft only, for now (reported) |
| Collect processed documents from centres | Until 12 noon on 30 October 2026 |
This is a change of filing office, not a new visa rule. The notice moves where and how you submit. It does not announce a new visa category or a visa waiver for Indians. Eligibility, documents and approval still depend on the mission handling your case.
Where to Apply by State
Your place of residence decides which office you use. As reported from the embassy notice:
| Applicant's location | Filing office |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra and Karnataka | Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai |
| West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi (temporarily, in place of Kolkata) |
| All other states and Union Territories | Chinese Embassy in New Delhi |
For consular legalisation, the office depends on where the documents were issued. Indian documents meant for use in mainland China generally need local notarisation and legalisation through the Ministry of External Affairs or its authorised offices first.
Check your state on the notice itself. We could read the official notice's opening summary but the state-by-state table above comes from trade and news reports of the same notice, and a few outlets summarise it differently. Confirm your state on the Chinese Embassy's notice before you travel to either office.
How to Apply Now
Step 1: Apply online first
Fill in the application form and upload your supporting documents through the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular and visa portal. This stage is submitted for online review, and no fee applies during it.
Step 2: Wait for approval by email
After the online review, you receive an email telling you to proceed.
Step 3: Deliver your papers within 30 days
Once approved, you have 30 days to deliver your passport, the printed application form and the supporting documents in person to your designated office. Trade reports stress that the originals must reach the mission inside that window.
Step 4: Pay and collect
Pay by demand draft as instructed, give fingerprints where required, and collect your passport when processing is complete. People applying for diplomatic, official or courtesy visas arrange an appointment by phone instead.
The Embassy is at 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021.
Fees and Payment
Applications submitted online after 5 pm on 23 October 2026 do not carry a visa-centre service fee. Fees already paid on earlier applications are not refunded. These are the visa fees reported for Indian passport holders:
| Visa type | Reported fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry | ₹2,900 |
| Double entry | ₹4,400 |
| Multiple entry, six months | ₹5,900 |
| Multiple entry, 12 months or longer | ₹8,800 |
Demand draft only, for now. The embassy and the Mumbai consulate are temporarily accepting payment only by bank-issued demand draft, with separate payee details for each. Cash and cheques are not accepted. Get the exact payee name from the notice for the office you are filing at, and allow time at your bank.
Fingerprints
Applicants for short-term visas, meaning stays of up to 180 days, are exempt from giving fingerprints through 31 December 2026. The exemption does not cover long-term visa types such as Z, X1 and J1, and applicants whose prints cannot be matched in the system must still provide them in person.
Documents by Visa Type
Applications with missing documents are reported to be rejected outright, so treat the checklist for your category as strict. As reported:
- Tourist visa: six months of personal bank statements showing a consistent average monthly balance of at least ₹1 lakh. A fixed-deposit certificate issued at least three months before the application date can be submitted instead.
- Business visa: an invitation letter (PU) or an Invitation Verification Notice issued in China, with the endorsements the inviting company must provide.
- Student visa: the original Admission Notice and the JW202 form.
Requirements can differ by category and by office, so use the checklist on the embassy or consulate site for your exact visa type.
Key Dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 22 Oct 2026 | Embassy publishes the notice |
| 23 Oct 2026, 5 pm | Online applications after this time carry no service fee |
| 26 Oct 2026 | Visa centres stop new applications; direct filing begins |
| 30 Oct 2026, 12 noon | Last time to collect processed documents from the visa centres |
| 31 Dec 2026 | Fingerprint exemption for short-term visas ends |
Planning Tips
- Do not book non-refundable travel first. The workflow is new and the offices are setting up. Wait for visa approval before paying for flights and hotels you cannot cancel.
- Start the online application early. Travel-management companies are advising corporate travellers to submit complete applications at least ten calendar days before departure while the new process settles.
- Sort the demand draft in advance. It is the part most likely to catch first-time applicants out.
- Use only official channels. Check the embassy and consulate websites and avoid agents promising to bypass the 30-day delivery window.
- Mind the 30-day clock. Online approval starts it, so do not apply online until you can actually reach the office.
FAQ
Are the China visa application centres in India closing?
They stop accepting new visa and consular legalisation applications from 26 October 2026. Documents already processed can be collected from the centres until 12 noon on 30 October 2026.
Where do Indians apply for a China visa from 26 October 2026?
At the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai, depending on your place of residence. Applicants in the Kolkata consular district are temporarily served by the Embassy in New Delhi. Confirm your state on the embassy's notice.
Can I still apply online?
Yes. The process starts online: you fill in the form, upload documents and submit for review on the Chinese government visa portal. After approval you deliver your papers in person within 30 days.
How do I pay the China visa fee now?
Payment is temporarily accepted only by bank-issued demand draft at the embassy and the Mumbai consulate. Cash and cheques are not accepted.
Do I need fingerprints for a China visa?
Not for short-term visas of up to 180 days through 31 December 2026. Long-term visa types, and applicants whose prints cannot be matched in the system, still need to provide them.
Does this change who is eligible for a China visa?
No. The notice changes where and how you apply, not eligibility. Document requirements for each visa category still apply.
Offices, fees, payment methods and document lists may change. This guide is for general planning and is not a guarantee of a visa. Always check the Chinese Embassy's official notice before you apply.