China has implemented a temporary simplification of its visa application process for Indian travelers, streamlining the path to obtaining a Chinese visa until December 31, 2023. The noteworthy change entails the removal of the fingerprinting requirement during visa applications, offering significant benefits to individuals below the age of 14, those above 70, and those whose fingerprints have previously been recorded by the Chinese Embassy within the last five years.
To secure a Chinese visa, Indian travelers must still adhere to the standard online application procedure, ensuring their passport remains valid for at least six months with two blank pages. Additionally, they need to provide copies of relevant passport pages, passport-sized photographs, and validate their residency and employment status. The cost of a Chinese visa varies for Indian travelers, dependent on the visa type and duration, typically ranging between INR 3,800 and INR 7,800. The simplified visa rules mark a positive development in China-India relations, potentially fostering increased tourism and trade between the two nations.