China Visa Rules Change October 26, 2026, bringing an important update for Indian travellers, business professionals and others planning to visit China.
From this date, Chinese visa and consular legalisation applications will be handled directly by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai, replacing the existing visa application centre submission process.
The change means applicants must complete an online application, upload the required documents and wait for preliminary approval before submitting their passports and supporting paperwork to the designated diplomatic mission.
The Chinese Visa Application Centre in New Delhi will stop accepting new applications from October 26, while processed documents can be collected until noon on October 30.
Applicants should also pay attention to a service-fee deadline on October 23.
Online applications submitted after 5 pm on that date will not attract a visa application centre service fee, while service fees already paid for earlier submissions will not be refunded.
China Visa Rules Change October 26: Where to Apply
Under the revised arrangements, the office responsible for processing an application will depend on the applicant’s state of residence. The Chinese authorities have outlined the following jurisdiction rules for Indian applicants.
Applicants residing in Maharashtra and Karnataka must submit their applications to the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai.
Residents of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh must temporarily apply through the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.
Applicants from other Indian states and Union Territories must also submit their applications to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.
The same jurisdiction arrangements apply to consular legalisation services, with the applicable jurisdiction for legalisation determined by where the documents were issued.
For travellers in eastern India, the change is particularly important because applications will be handled in New Delhi rather than through the previous visa application centre arrangements.
Applicants should check their designated office before making travel plans to submit documents.
How to Apply for a Chinese Visa Under the New Process
The revised procedure begins online. Applicants must complete the Chinese visa application form through the official online portal, upload the required supporting documents and submit the application for review.
Once the online application is approved, the applicant receives an email notification.
The applicant must then visit the designated embassy or consulate within 30 days to submit the passport, printed application form and other required documents. Fingerprints will be collected where applicable.
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully before starting the process. Requirements vary according to the purpose of travel, including tourism, business, education, employment and family visits.
Additional supporting documents may be required depending on the visa category.
The online review is an initial step and does not itself mean that a visa has been approved.
Travellers should allow sufficient time for the application process and avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements based on an assumption of visa approval.
China Visa Fees and Payment Rules
The revised arrangements also include changes to service charges and payment procedures.
Eligible online applications submitted after 5 pm on October 23 will not be charged a visa application centre service fee. However, service fees paid for applications submitted before the deadline are non-refundable.
Visa fees remain separate from service charges. Applicants should check the official fee schedule for the relevant visa category and confirm the required payment method before visiting the embassy or consulate.
The Chinese diplomatic missions have also published revised instructions covering the direct submission of visa applications and consular legalisation requests.
Applicants should follow the latest official requirements rather than relying on older procedures followed by visa application centres.
What Indian Travellers Should Do Before October 26
Anyone planning to visit China should first identify the correct diplomatic mission based on their state of residence.
They should then complete the online application, prepare the required supporting documents and wait for the online review notification before submitting their passport.
Applicants who have already submitted documents through a visa application centre should check the transition arrangements carefully.
The New Delhi centre will continue to allow collection of processed documents until 12 noon on October 30, 2026, even though it will stop accepting new applications from October 26.
The new system changes where and how applications are submitted, making advance planning important for tourists, students and business travellers.
Checking the latest instructions issued by the Chinese Embassy in India or the Consulate General in Mumbai can help applicants avoid unnecessary trips, missing documents and confusion over fees.
