Notice on the Latest Requirements for Chinese Visa Application-News

Notice on the Latest Requirements for Chinese Visa Application

2024-12-30

Updated on 15th October, 2024

As of 15th October 2024, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India will adopt the following new measures for Chinese visa application.

1. Application Procedures

1.1 Visa applications are processed in accordance with respective consular jurisdiction areas of Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in India. For applicants who reside in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattisgarh, and West Bengal, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata. For applicants who reside in Maharashtra or Karnataka, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Consulate-General in Mumbai. For applicants who reside in areas other than those mentioned above, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Embassy in India. Please check issue place of your passport for confirming the jurisdiction areas.

1.2 For applicants residing in the consular jurisdiction area of Chinese Consulate in Kolkata, please submit visa application documents through Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata. First of all, please visit the website of Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata https://www.visaforchina.cn/#/nav/quickSelection?visacenterCode=CCU2&request_locale=en_US&site_alias=CCU2_EN&isAuthentication=N

fill out visa application form and the applicant can do walk in for visa , in between 9:00am to 12:00pm from monday to friday，make an appointment for Authentication only, print out the confirmation page and full form, and sign name. Then at the appointment time, submit the application in person with materials (please see Part 2 for material requirements) at Chinese Visa Application Service Center inKolkata and retain ten fingerprints.

1.3 The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprint collection: those who are under the age of 14 or over the age of 70; those who already had fingerprints collected within the past five years at Chinese Embassy in India or Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kolkata using the same passport; Applicants with all fingerprints uncollectable.

2. Material Requirements

2.1 General Documents

(1) Chinese Visa Application Form and Confirmation Page of Online Visa Application.

(2) Original passport still valid for at least 6 months, with 2 or more blank visa pages, and the photocopy of relevant passport pages；and expired passports within 5 years and the photocopy of relevant passport pages.

(3) Two recently-taken color passport photos (full face, front view and bare head，size: 48mm×33mm，within 6 months).

(4) Original and photocopy of the proof of legal stay, residence, employment or study status or valid visa (applicable to applicants of non-Indian citizens).

(5) Covering letter (For details, please check following 2.3 Special Reminder and Other Supplementing Document Requirements )

2.2 Category Documents

In addition to the general documents in 2.1, the following supporting documents for respective visa categories must be submitted:

Visa Categories	Description of Visa	Supporting Documents
C	Issued to foreign crew members of international transportation,including aircraft, trains and ships,or motor vehicle driver engaged in cross-border transport activities,or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above mentioned ships.	Guarantee Letter from foreign transport company.
D	Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently.	Original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigner Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.
F	Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.	Invitation Letter issued by relevant entity or individual in China.
G	Issued to those who intend to transit through China.	Onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region.
J1	Issued to resident journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.	Visa Notification Letter issued bythe Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.
J2	Issued to foreign journalists of foreign news organizations who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage.The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.	Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or other authorized units in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.
L	Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist	(1) Itinerary documents including air ticket booking (round trip) and hotel reservation, etc. or invitation letter issued by entity or individual in China. (2) Personal written statement (covering letter) with details as follows: place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting/contact company/person.If the Covering letter is in a company letter head then that company business license is required. (3)Certification letter from the local employer of the applicant (with details as follows: name and contact number of the employer, the applicant’s income statement), and original copy of recent 6-month bank statement of the applicant with balance of at least INR 100,000 and with stamp and signature of the bank. (4) Any applicant travelling via Hong Kong to China and they need to provide Hong Kong VISA. If applicant is sponsored by spouse, parent or child, please provide certification letter from the local employer of the sponsor (with details as follows: name and contact number of the employer, the sponsor’s income statement), recent 6-month bank statement of the sponsor (with balance of at least INR 100,000 per person) with stamp and signature of the bank, an original sponsorship certificate written and signed by the sponsor, and original and photocopy of birth certificate or marriage certificate which proves their relationship. (4) For tourist group visa, please provide an “invitation letter for Tourist Group” issued by authorized tourism agency in China.
M	Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.	Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by relevant entity or individual; copy of business license of invitation party and Indian Company; copy of front and back side of the inviter’s ID card, or the legal representative's ID card.
Q1	Issued to the family members of Chinese citizens or foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permit, intending to go to China for family reunion.The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.	(1) Invitation Letter issued by Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with Chinese permanentresidence permit. (2) Photocopy of Chinese ID card of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit. (3) Original and photocopy of certification (If its Chinese marriage certificate, birth certificate etc. then no attestation required, apart from Chinese then kinship attestation issued by Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General are required.) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.
Q2	Issued to the relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence permit, intending to go to China for family visit.The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.	(1) Invitation Letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residence permit. (2) Photocopy of Chinese ID card or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting Individual. (3) photocopy of relative certification(If its Chinese marriage certificate, birth certificate etc. then no attestation required, apart from Chinese then kinship attestation issued by Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General are required.)showing the relationship of familymembers between applicant and inviting individual.
R	Issued to high-level talents.	Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents.
S1	Issued to the family members who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs.The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law.	(1) Invitation Letter from the inviting individual. (2) Photocopy of the inviting Individual’s passport and residence permit. (3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc. and kinship attestation issued by Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General) showing the relationship between applicant and inviting individual.
S2	Issued to family members who intend to visit foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons,daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.	(1) Invitation Letter issued by the inviting individual. (2) Photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit. (3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc. and kinship attestation issued by Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General) showing the relationship between the applicant and the inviting individual. For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by consular officers.
X1	Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.	(1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China. (2) Original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202). For those who are on the lists of students reported to the Embassy by relevant schools, visa application can be submitted with the copy of Admission Letter and the copy of Visa Application for Study in China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202). The validity period for this measure will be adjusted by the Embassy in due course according to the actuality.
X2	Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.	Original and photocopy of Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.
Z	Issued to those who intend to work in China.	(1) Valid “Notice for Foreigner’s Work Permit” (2) Invitation letter (with stamp and signature) issued by employer in China

2.3 Special Reminder and Other Supplementing Document Requirements

C Visa

(1) Non-regular scheduled flight, chartered flight, private plane must get the Aviation Permit before departure.

(2) Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, travel date,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person, introduction about the own company such as the founding time, operation content, number of staff and contact number).
(3) Business Visa Covering letter need to be in a Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant along with passport details, visiting purpose, travel date,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting co mpany and the inviting person, introduction about the own company such as the founding time, operation content, number of staff and contact number).

D Visa

Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, travel date, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

F Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b.Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)

c.Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)

(2) Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

G Visa

Personal or Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person if applicable).

J1/J2 Visa

M Visa

(1) Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

c.Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).

(2) Business Visa Covering letter need to be in a Company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant along with passport details, visiting purpose, travel date,place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting co mpany and the inviting person, introduction about the own company such as the founding time, operation content, number of staff and contact number).

Q1 Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b. Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)

c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature etc.)

(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting person).

We kindly remind you that:

Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

Q2 Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)

c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.)

R Visa

Personal or company's written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

S1 Visa

(1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b.Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

We kindly remind you that:

Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

S2-Visa

(1) An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:

a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

X1/X2 Visa

Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: basic information of the applicant, visiting purpose, place to visit, name, address and contact number of the university).

Z-Visa

(1) One of the following supporting documents is required:

a. Original Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China issued by Chinese government authorities for Human Resources and Social Security. If the work period is 90 days or less, original Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in P.R. China is needed.

b.Original Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts.

c.Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit in the People's Republic of China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts.

d.Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of Enterprises of Foreign Countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration.

e. An original approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs. If the performance period is 90 days or less, original Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in P.R. China is needed.

f.Original Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;

We kindly remind you that:

A holder of category Z visa must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China unless the Duration of Each Stay on the visa is marked as 30 days.

Other Important Reminder

(1) The applicant should guarantee that all information provided in the application is true and correct. Any false, misleading or incomplete information may result in denial of the visa or refusal of entry into China.

(3) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but consular officers may require the applicant to submit the original invitation letter.

(3) Consular officers may require the applicant to provide other supporting documents, or require an interview with the applicant. Consular officers will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

3. Cases Not Needing To Apply For A New Visa

(1) Foreign nationals who subject to mutual visa exemption agreements;

(2) Valid permanent resident permit ID card;

(3) Valid residence permits;

(4) Holding valid APEC Business Travel Cards (please note: To further facilitate business travel, APEC Virtual Cards holders will also be accepted for entry from 1 May 2023. As transitional arrangement, APEC Virtual Card holders who need to apply for a visa before 1 May 2023 will be facilitated by the Embassy, please contact the consular section of the Embassy for details);

(5) Transit Visa Exemption Program.

(6) Hainan visa-free policy; Visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai port; Guangdong visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups entering from Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR; visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries entering Guilin, Guangxi province (For details, please contact the immigration inspection authorities of the intended destination).

4. Submitting Channels for Visa Application

Please submit visa applications to Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi, or in Kolkata or in Mumbai, according to respective consular jurisdiction area (checking issue place of your passport). For details of visa process, requirements, time limit and fees, please contact relevant visa center or refer to their websites.

4.1 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In New Delhi

Address: Concourse Floor, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Connaught Place, New Delhi -110001 India.

Tel：91-9999036735 (Weekdays 9:00 am - 14:00 pm, 15:00 pm - 17:00 pm).

E-mail：delhiCentre@visaforchina.org

4.2 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In Kolkata

Address: BIPI Building Omega, Ground Floor, Bengal Intelligent Park, Block EP & GP, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata, India.

Tel：91-033 40010210 (Monday, Friday), Weekdays 9:00 am - 12:00 am, 13:00 pm - 16:00 pm.

E-mail：kolkataCentre@visaforchina.org

4.3 Chinese Visa Application Service Center In Mumbai

Address: 8th Floor, Mafatlal Center, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021.

Tel：91-22-22855271 (Weekdays 9:00 am - 12:00 am, 14:00 pm - 17:00 pm).

E-mail：MumbaiCentre@visaforchina.org

5. Applications For Diplomatic And Service Passport Holders And Diplomatic, Service And Courtesy Visas

Please fill out the visa application form online through website of Chinese Visa Application Service Centre Kolkata https://www.visaforchina.cn/#/nav/quickSelection?visacenterCode=CCU2&request_locale=en_US&site_alias=CCU2_EN&isAuthentication=N
(no online appointment is required), print out the confirmation page and full form, sign name, and submit visa application with original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, a photocopy of the passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate, one color passport photo and an official note to the Consular Section of Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata. Diplomatic and Service Passport holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visa applicants are exempted from fingerprint collection. For relevant questions, please directly contact the Consular Section of Chinese Embassy in India.

6. Consultation For Visa Application Within Consular Jurisdiction Area of Chinese Consulate in Kolkata

Address: EC 72, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, 700064

E-mail: consulate_kkt@mfa.gov.cn

Tel：91-33-40045211, 0091-33-23377712 (Weekdays 9:30am-12:30pm，15:30pm-17:30pm).

Fax：91-33-40045201

7. Interpretation of Notice

This notice is interpreted by Chinese Embassy in India. In the event of any inconsistency between the previously released information and this notice, this notice shall prevail.

Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, Kolkata

15th October , 2024