China visa for Indians

China is a beautiful place consisting of snow-capped mountains, busy streets, picturesque landscapes and a rich history to delve into. You can plan to visit China for a solo or family vacation, a honeymoon, business prospects, to explore educational opportunities, or to work with some of the best firms in the world.

Nonetheless, for whichever purpose you want to visit, you would need a China visa for Indians. Let us guide you through all the details you need to know regarding applying for a Chinese visa and finally, apply for a visa through ACKO hassle-free.

Yes, you will need a visa to go to China. The visa you apply for depends on the purpose of your visit and the duration of your stay.

A Chinese visa will allow you to enter, exit and travel through the territory of China. However, as an Indian citizen, you are not eligible for a visa upon arrival. You need to secure your visa before leaving for China to avoid getting deported back to India with serious charges.

China offers several categories of visas for various purposes. You can get an idea about the most important China visa types from the discussion below.

This visa allows you to enter China only once. If the purpose of your visit is such that you need to enter the country only once, then you can opt for this visa.

If you want to enter China multiple times, then you should opt for this visa. This could be the preferred China visa for Indians for those who want to visit for business or academic purposes.

Except for the Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas, the maximum duration of stay under most categories cannot exceed 180 days. 

Multiple entry China visas for Indians can be further divided into the following categories:

F Category Visa

Those who wish to enter China for exchange programmes, study trips, and similar activities opt for this visa.

The applicant must receive an invitation from an institution or organisation in China to be eligible for this visa. This invitation must highlight the reason for your visit, the duration of your trip, and similar important details.

The validity for F category visa is usually 90 days, with the maximum duration of stay per visit being 30 days.

M Category Visa

M-category visas are given to those who want to visit China for commercial and trade purposes. It falls under the category of business visa for China.

To be eligible for this visa, you must have received an invitation letter from a Chinese organisation. It should underline the purpose of your visit. You may also have to furnish a letter of introduction written by the company.

The M visa is usually valid for a maximum of 90 days. The maximum duration of stay can be up to 30 days per entry.

L Category Visa

The L category of visa is designed for tourists. Be it travelling solo or with family and friends, this is the visa you need to explore China as a traveller.

The validity of the L visa usually lies in the range of 90-180 days. The maximum duration of stay can be up to 60 days.

Q1 and Q2 Category Visa

Q1 visas are meant for those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence. The Q1 visa also includes visits for foster care.

Q2 visa is for relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in China.

If you plan to stay for a maximum of 180 days, then opt for a Q2 visa. For a duration of more than 180 days, select Q1.

S1 and S2 Category Visa

S1 and S2 visas are meant for family members or relatives of foreigners who are working or studying in China, or those who want to visit China for other private reasons.

The S1 visa is a single-entry visa, whereas the S2 visa can be both single-entry as well as multiple-entry.

S1 visa allows a stay for a duration exceeding 180 days, while the S2 visa allows a stay for a maximum of 180 days.

Z Category Visa

If you want to visit China for employment or commercial purposes, you have to select a Z visa. To be eligible for this, you must already have a job offer from a Chinese employer.

Once you are given a Z visa, you can stay in China for up to 30 days. To extend your stay, you have to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit. Usually, it is issued for 1 year and can be renewed every year.

The validity of the Z Visa lasts between three months to five years. Your family members can also apply for a dependent visa to accompany you.

G Category Visa

This is a transit visa, which allows you to go to a third country via China. Its validity usually lasts for three months. The maximum duration of stay per visit is 7 to 10 days.

You must have booked your travel ticket and visa for your final destination before applying for the G visa.

X1 and X2 Category Visa

The X1 and X2 visas are meant for students and research scholars who want to visit China. 

The X1 visa is a single-entry visa, while the X2 visa is rarely issued in a multiple-entry format.

The X1 visa is for a longer duration of more than 180 days, while the X2 visa is for a duration of a maximum of 180 days.

Through ACKO, you can apply for a single entry Chinese tourist visa and a single entry business visa, with which:

You  can enter the country once and stay for a maximum of 90 days for tourism purposes and 30 days for business work.

You must enter the country within the maximum validity period, which is 90 days for both.

Here is a table portraying the validity of different types of China visa for Indians:

To understand your visa eligibility, there are some factors worth keeping in mind for China visa requirements for Indian citizens. They are as follows:

The China visa price varies according to the type of visa you select in your application form. Depending on whether you apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and whether you want regular service or express service, the prices are as follows.

To apply for a Chinese visa through ACKO, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Click here and pick China as the country to visit.

Step 2: Choose the type of visa.

Step 3: Submit all the required documents. These typically include:

- Passport with at least 6 months validity

- Completed visa application form

- Passport-size photographs

- Return ticket

Step 4: Once the above steps are done, we will verify your documents and process your application after you have paid the required fee.

Here is a table portraying the processing time of different types of China visa for Indians:

The cost of a China visa at ACKO is the same for both business and tourism purposes, which is about INR. 2,700* as of February 2024. Both types of visas let the holder visit the country only once during the minimum period of validity.

Note: If the Embassy rejects your visa, the fees will not be refunded, and the prices are subject to change.

If you have made up your mind to visit China, there are a few things you must remember to make your visa application easy and hassle-free.

Properly research the types of visas, and only then select which one you need. Different visas have different pros and cons. The visa you select depends on your needs. So select wisely.

Don’t make any mistakes while filling out your application. The Chinese officials keep track of your prior applications, so it will be wise to get everything done in one stroke. Ensure all the details are up to date and correct.

Though you will get to state the validity and maximum duration of stay that you want in your application, the final decision in this regard lies with the authorities. 

Buy travel insurance. You never know what happens next. So to avoid any unforeseen and unfortunate expenses, it is preferable that you have travel insurance.

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