The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi announced on 10 December that it will launch the ‘China Online Visa Application System’ for all Indian applicants on 22 December, completing Beijing’s phased post-pandemic reopening. Indians can fill forms, upload documents and schedule biometrics electronically for tourist (L), business (M), student (X) and work (Z) visas, ending the paper-heavy process that has deterred travel since 2020.
Context: China suspended most Indian visa services after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Limited categories reopened in mid-2023, but tourism remained shut until November 2025, when India reciprocally restored Chinese e-visas. The new portal is timed for the Republic-Day break and Chinese Spring Festival travel boom.
![China to Reopen All Visa Categories for Indians via Fully Online Portal from 22 December]()
Benefits: • End-to-end digital submission reduces consulate visits from two to one (biometrics only); • real-time status tracking; • integration with UnionPay for fee payment in INR to avoid forex mark-ups.
Considerations for corporates: Early users should budget at least seven working days for approval as initial application volumes could create backlogs. Exporters attending the Canton Fair in April 2026 should target visa filing in January before Lunar New Year closures.
Context: China suspended most Indian visa services after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Limited categories reopened in mid-2023, but tourism remained shut until November 2025, when India reciprocally restored Chinese e-visas. The new portal is timed for the Republic-Day break and Chinese Spring Festival travel boom.
Benefits: • End-to-end digital submission reduces consulate visits from two to one (biometrics only); • real-time status tracking; • integration with UnionPay for fee payment in INR to avoid forex mark-ups.
Considerations for corporates: Early users should budget at least seven working days for approval as initial application volumes could create backlogs. Exporters attending the Canton Fair in April 2026 should target visa filing in January before Lunar New Year closures.
Source: VisaHQ News
