To better facilitate applicants apply for and obtain Chinese visa more efficiently and conveniently through “walk-in just one time” service, the following are answers to frequently asked questions that Embassy of P. R. China in India has received about applying for visas to China:

1. After filling the online visa application form, do I need to make an appointment to submit my application documents at the visa centre ?

Starting from November 2023, the requirement for appointment has been removed and applicants can directly submit application documents at the Visa Centre on any working day; the Visa Centre will accept all applications submitted within the due time limit; please see more information of the due time limit through the website https://www.visaforchina.cn/DEL2_EN/aboutus/277101.shtml.

The Visa Centre will accept all visa applications that meet the application requirements on the same day.

2. The ID photo submitted when applying for a visa was taken several years ago. Will it affect the result of the visa application?

The photo must be a recent color photo (size 48mm×33mm) taken within 6 months and reflecting the applicant's current appearance. Glasses, hats, headscarves and other accessories are not allowed. If needing to wear it for religious reasons, applicant should ensure that the whole face is visible and does not cover face. The expression should be neutral, with both eyes open and facing the camera directly. If the submitted photo does not meet the above requirements, the visa application will be rejected or returned.

3. Is fingerprint collection required for short-term visas for business or tourism purpose?

At present, for applicants holding ordinary passports and applying for short-term visas for one or two entries (staying for less than 180 days), temporary exemption from fingerprint collection is being implemented (effective period of this convenience measure is subject to notification of the Embassy). Visa applicants who meet one of the following conditions are exempted from fingerprint collection: those under 14 years old or over 70 years old; those who cannot retain fingerprints of all ten fingers; those who hold diplomatic or official passports or meet the conditions for the issuance of diplomatic, official, and courtesy visas. Starting from January, 2025, applicants who already have fingerprints collected at Chinese Embassy in India or Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in New Delhi using the same passport, are exempted from fingerprint collection within five years.

4. How can I quickly apply for a visa when accompanying my family members to China for emergency medical treatment? Can we enter china multiple times?

To fully provide humanitarian care, Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in New Delhi provides "green channel" service for visa applications for emergency personnel cases such as medical treatment, visiting patients, and attending funerals, as well as the elderly, weak, sick, disabled, pregnant, toddler groups, or other special groups. Applicants can apply for visas immediately without queuing. After reviewing the necessary application materials, the Embassy will issue one entry time, two or multiple entry times short-term S2 visas according to specific situation.

5. I am a relative of a China-Indian marriage family, can I apply for Q visa for family reunion?

The Q visa category is applicable to family members of Chinese citizens and family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who apply for entry for residence (Q1 visa, stay more than 180 days) or short-term visit (Q2 visa, stay not more than 180 days) for family reunion. Such “family members” include spouses, parents, parents of spouses, children, spouses of children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren. Minor children are usually required to come to the Visa Centre for an on-site interview. For those who have difficulties in attending the interview, the family can apply for online interview through the following Embassy email new-delhi@csm.mfa.gov.cn or hotline 91-11-24675259 (weekdays 9:00-12:30, 14:30-17:30). For relatives other than the above mentioned “family members”, please apply related visa such as tourist visa or business visa according to the visit purpose to China.

6. The visa is still under processing, what should I do if I need my passport urgently?

Before applying for a visa to China, please make travel plans. If applicant needs to take passport urgently while the visa is being processed, the applicant must submit a withdrawal letter through the visa centre, stating the reason for the urgent passport collection. After the withdrawal application is approved by the Embassy, the Embassy will process the application as withdraw. Related passport as well as fees charged by the Embassy will be back to the applicant through the visa centre. If the visa application is submitted at the Embassy, please contact the Embassy by email or hotline.

7. If the visa application is rejected, will the visa fees be refunded?

The fees charged by the Embassy include visa fee and express fee. For details of the above fees standard, please refer to the notice of Fee Charges for Visas on the Embassy website. If the visa application is rejected, the Embassy will not charge any fees, and the visa fee and express fee will be refunded to the applicant by the visa centre. If other fees are incurred for visa application, they are usually service fees charged by the visa centre or agency. After the visa application is rejected, the mentioned other fees will be handled by the visa centre or agency.