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China visa for Indian citizens
India 
China India passport holders need to obtain a visa from an embassy, consulate or visa centre before travelling to China.
Yes, a visa is required
- Entry requirement
- Visa required
- Maximum stay
- Set by the visa
- Apply before travel
- Yes
- Last updated
- February 2026
How to apply
Checked November 2026L (tourist) visa, applied for at a Chinese embassy/consulate or its authorised visa application centre
- Fee
- Varies by nationality and number of entries (set by each Chinese embassy)
- Processing
- Set by the embassy or consulate where you apply
At the border
- Ordinary passport holders of 50 countries (unilateral visa-free list as of 17 February 2026, including most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Brazil and several Gulf states) can stay up to 30 days visa-free for tourism, business, visits, exchanges or transit.
- Nationals of 57 countries can use 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit through 65 designated ports, but only with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region and only within the permitted areas.
- Anyone may transit for up to 24 hours without a visa if they stay inside the port's restricted area.
- Regional schemes exist, such as a 30-day visa-free stay in Hainan for 61 nationalities.
- Foreign arrivals fill in an arrival card; NIA offers an online arrival card form (s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/).
- Visa-free stay does not allow work, study or news reporting; the day count starts at midnight after the day of entry.
Recent changes
- February 2026: NIA published an updated list of 50 countries covered by the unilateral 30-day visa-free policy.
- August 2026: NIA republished the 240-hour transit policy covering 57 countries and 65 ports, plus the regional visa-free policies.
Official source: National Immigration Administration of China (NIA) · Not yet confirmed officially: End date of the unilateral 30-day visa-free policy (not stated on the NIA list page), consularVisa.fee and processing: depend on nationality and embassy; not confirmed on an official page, Passport validity rule for visa applications (commonly 6 months, not confirmed on a page read), Whether the online arrival card is mandatory or optional (the NIA page content could not be read), Official online visa application system (COVA) availability: page returned an error
What India passport holders need to do
- Find the embassy, consulate or visa application centre that covers where you live.
- Complete the application form and gather your documents: passport, photos, itinerary, proof of funds and accommodation.
- Book an appointment, pay the fee and give biometrics if they are required.
- Wait for the decision before you book non-refundable travel.
India is one of 128 passports in the “visa required” group for China. See the full China visa requirements for every passport.
Easier alternatives in Asia for India passport holders
China is one of 92 destinations in the “visa required” group for the India passport, which ranks #70 worldwide with a mobility score of 59. Of 49 destinations in Asia, 19 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.
| Destination | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
 Bhutan | Visa-free | 14 days |
 Iran | Visa-free | 15 days |
 Kazakhstan | Visa-free | 14 days |
 Macau | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Malaysia | Visa-free | – |
 Nepal | Visa-free | – |
 Palestine | Visa-free | – |
 Philippines | Visa-free | 14 days |
 Thailand | Visa-free | 60 days |
 Cambodia | Visa on arrival | – |
 Indonesia | Visa on arrival | – |
 Jordan | Visa on arrival | – |
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for China?
India passport holders need to obtain a visa from an embassy, consulate or visa centre before travelling to China.
Can Indian citizens get a visa on arrival in China?
No. India passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling to China.
Do China citizens need a visa for India?
China passport holders need to obtain a visa from an embassy, consulate or visa centre before travelling to India.
China visa requirements for other passports
Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of China before you book.