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Indian passport · China

Do Indian passport holders need a visa for China?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 4 Nov 2026

In brief

Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa for China, arranged before travel.

China visa fee for Indians: In India the visa fee for Indian citizens is Rs 2,900 for a single entry, Rs 4,400 for a double entry, Rs 5,900 for a 6-month multiple-entry and Rs 8,800 for a 12-month or longer multiple-entry visa; express service adds Rs 1,800, and fees are paid by demand draft only. Official fee. Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India, checked .

China visa processing time for Indians: Processing takes 7 working days, or 4 working days with express service, counted from the day after the passport is submitted. Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India, checked .

不符合免签条件人员仍需在入境前办妥来华签证。In English: Those who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to obtain a Chinese visa before entry.Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation

Checked 4 Nov 2026Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian FederationReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do Indians need a visa?
  4. Apply from India
  5. Apply from the UAE
  6. Fee
  7. Processing time
  8. Documents
  9. If you live in the UAE
  10. What changed
  11. FAQ
  12. Sources

At a glance

AccessVisa required
StayNot stated by the official source
Validity and entriesNot stated by the official source
Official feeIn India the visa fee for Indian citizens is Rs 2,900 for a single entry, Rs 4,400 for a double entry, Rs 5,900 for a 6-month multiple-entry and Rs 8,800 for a 12-month or longer multiple-entry visa; express service adds Rs 1,800, and fees are paid by demand draft only.4The Chinese Embassy in the UAE charges reduced fees until 31 December 2026; India is not named, and the rate for 'other countries' is AED 102 for a single entry (AED 304 for 12-month multiple entry), though the embassy notes fees can differ by nationality.8
Official processingProcessing takes 7 working days, or 4 working days with express service, counted from the day after the passport is submitted.3A visa usually takes three or four working days if the documents are complete.12
Where to applyFill in the visa form online at consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA, and within 30 days of online approval take your passport to the Embassy in New Delhi, or to the Consulate General in Mumbai if you live in Maharashtra or Karnataka.3

Do Indians need a visa for China?

India is not on the exemption lists, and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation says that all other nationals need a visa before they travel.

“不符合免签条件人员仍需在入境前办妥来华签证。”

In English: “Those who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to obtain a Chinese visa before entry.”

Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • Until 31 December 2026, applicants for short-term visas of up to 180 days do not give fingerprints.

    1. Until December 31, 2026, fingerprint collection shall be exempted for all applicants for short-term visas with a stay period of no more than 180 days.Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India · checked

  • Indian citizens can transit without a visa only for up to 24 hours inside the airport or port restricted area; India is not among the 57 countries eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit.

    I. 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy All open exit-entry ports in China implement this policy for nationals of all other countries around the world. Foreigners transiting through China to third countries or regions may stay in China for no more than 24 hours without a visa, provided that they hold valid international travel documents and onward international flight/ship/train tickets with confirmed seats, and will not leave the restricted areas of ports. ... Asia (9 countries): Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, VietnamNational Immigration Administration of China · checked

How to apply from India

  1. Fill in the visa form online at consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA, and within 30 days of online approval take your passport to the Embassy in New Delhi, or to the Consulate General in Mumbai if you live in Maharashtra or Karnataka.

    Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India · checked

How to apply from the UAE

Indian citizens who live in the UAE:

Fee

  • In India the visa fee for Indian citizens is Rs 2,900 for a single entry, Rs 4,400 for a double entry, Rs 5,900 for a 6-month multiple-entry and Rs 8,800 for a 12-month or longer multiple-entry visa; express service adds Rs 1,800, and fees are paid by demand draft only.

    Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India · checked

  • The Chinese Embassy in the UAE charges reduced fees until 31 December 2026; India is not named, and the rate for 'other countries' is AED 102 for a single entry (AED 304 for 12-month multiple entry), though the embassy notes fees can differ by nationality.

    Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Arab Emirates · checked

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

Documents and entry checks

If you live in the UAE

UAE residence does not change the rule. Visa required Visa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai (country of lawful residence); no visa-free or residence-based route. See China visa for UAE residents.

  • India, Pakistan and the Philippines are not on China's unilateral 30-day visa-free list.

    Note: Nationals of the above countries holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days.National Immigration Administration of China · checked

If you need a visa, see How to apply from the UAE.

What changed

  1. In Abu Dhabi the Chinese Embassy takes visa applications through the online system at consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA, in use since 30 June 2025. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Arab Emirates · checked
  2. Since 26 October 2026 the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai accept visa applications directly; applicants from the Kolkata consulate's area apply to the Embassy for now. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India · checked
  3. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is China visa-free for Indians now?

No. Indians need a visa before they travel.

How much does a China visa cost in India?

In India the visa fee for Indian citizens is Rs 2,900 for a single entry, Rs 4,400 for a double entry, Rs 5,900 for a 6-month multiple-entry and Rs 8,800 for a 12-month or longer multiple-entry visa; express service adds Rs 1,800, and fees are paid by demand draft only. The Chinese Embassy in the UAE charges reduced fees until 31 December 2026; India is not named, and the rate for 'other countries' is AED 102 for a single entry (AED 304 for 12-month multiple entry), though the embassy notes fees can differ by nationality.

Can I get a China visa in 7 days?

Processing takes 7 working days, or 4 working days with express service, counted from the day after the passport is submitted. A visa usually takes three or four working days if the documents are complete.

Can I enter China with a UAE residence visa?

UAE residence does not change the rule. Visa required for Indian passport holders who live in the UAE: Visa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai (country of lawful residence); no visa-free or residence-based route.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation: entry ruleru.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  2. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India: changesin.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  3. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India: how to apply, processing time, documents and entry conditionsin.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  4. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India: feesin.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  5. National Immigration Administration of China: entry conditionsen.nia.gov.cn · checked
  6. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Arab Emirates: applying from the UAEae.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  7. Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Dubai (visa centre of the Chinese Consulate General in Dubai): applying from the UAEvisaforchina.cn · checked
  8. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Arab Emirates: feesae.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  9. National Immigration Administration of China: rules for UAE residentsen.nia.gov.cn · checked
  10. Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Dubai (official visa centre): applying from the UAEvisaforchina.cn · checked
  11. Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Dubai (official visa centre): applying from the UAEvisaforchina.cn · checked
  12. Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Dubai (official visa centre): processing timevisaforchina.cn · checked
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Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.