China shifts visa processing in India to Embassy and Consulate

The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi and the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai will begin directly processing Chinese visa applications and consular legalisation requests starting October 26, 2026. This change replaces the existing outsourced Chinese Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, which will cease accepting new applications on that date.

Under the new system, applicants must first complete an online application via the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ portal. Once preliminary approval is granted, applicants must submit their passports and supporting documents to the designated diplomatic mission within 30 days.

Jurisdictional rules have been established based on residence: applicants in Maharashtra and Karnataka must use the Consulate General in Mumbai. Residents of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh will temporarily submit applications to the Embassy in New Delhi. Applicants from all other Indian states and territories will also be served by the New Delhi Embassy.