China: Visa Rules for Indian Travellers Tighten Amid Surge
China Visa Rules Tighten, Creating New Hurdles for Indian Tourists
Planning a vacation to China may soon require more patience than expected. Even as interest among Indian travellers surges—driven by increased flight connectivity, competitive hotel pricing, and social media buzz—new visa regulations are emerging as a significant roadblock.
Travel industry executives warn that stricter visa procedures and extended processing timelines could dampen the momentum just as tourism between the two countries begins to recover. According to tour operators and travel agents, visa rejection rates have risen sharply and approvals are taking longer since China rolled out revised visa norms in December.
China: New Online Pre-Approval Adds an Extra Layer
Under the updated China visa rules for Indian travellers, applicants must now navigate a two-stage process. The first step involves completing an online application, uploading documents such as passport copies, photographs, and supporting paperwork, and submitting proof of payment.
Only after receiving online pre-approval from the Chinese embassy or consulates can applicants proceed to physically submit documents at the visa application centre. In several cases, authorities are seeking additional clarifications, corrections, or documents via email. Applications may also be marked for resubmission or outright rejection at the online review stage.
Once the online review is completed successfully, applicants receive a confirmation email and are permitted to book an appointment for physical submission, carrying printouts of the visa application certificate and related documents.
Rejection Rates and Timelines on the Rise
Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO of visa services platform Atlys, said the industry witnessed a noticeable spike in rejections soon after the new system was introduced.
“We have seen both longer timelines and higher rejection rates recently. There is additional scrutiny now, particularly around financial documents,” Nahta said.
According to industry feedback, applicants are now expected to maintain a minimum bank balance of ₹1 lakh consistently over the past three months. This heightened financial verification, combined with the new online screening phase, has extended overall visa processing timelines.
China: Travel Agents Flag Approval Delays
Ajay Prakash, founder of Nomad Travels and former president of the Travel Agents Federation of India, noted that many applications are facing prolonged uncertainty.
“In several cases, approvals are simply not coming through. Travel is resuming after nearly five years, direct flights are back, and people are testing the waters. The volume of applications has increased, and the system appears to be under pressure,” he said.
Demand Expands Beyond Traditional Tourist Hubs
Despite visa challenges, interest in China as a leisure destination is growing steadily. Travel companies report that Indian tourists are now exploring destinations beyond the traditional Beijing-Shanghai-Xi’an circuit.
Neeraj Singh Dev, executive vice president and head of e-commerce and domestic and short-haul holidays at Thomas Cook (India), said current demand spans a wider range of cities and experiences.
“Travellers are looking at Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie, Yichang, and even Yangtze River cruise itineraries. Improved connectivity has opened up more entry points and cost-effective routes,” Dev said.
Low-cost carrier IndiGo now operates flights to Guangzhou, Air India has resumed services from Delhi, and China Eastern has reinstated key routes—making travel more accessible, at least in theory.