China visa, handled for you from Surat
China L (tourist), M (business), Q (family-visit) and X (student) sticker visas via the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) — a precise, biometrics-based embassy process where Explera’s document accuracy is the difference between approval and a delay. As a China visa specialist, we handle single, double and multiple-entry files end to end from Surat.
Yes — Indian passport holders need a tourist (l) / business (m) visa (embassy) for China. Explera Vacations, Surat's IATA-certified visa agent since 2009, files it end to end: up to 30 days per entry stay, 4–7 working days processing, 92% approval, your exact fee quoted in writing after a free document assessment. Apply on WhatsApp — no embassy queues for e-visas.
Visa type
Tourist (L) / Business (M) visa (embassy)
Entry
Single / Double / Multiple
Stay
Up to 30 days per entry
Validity
3 months to 10 years, as granted
Processing
4–7 working days
Approval rate
92%
China visa — key points at a glance
- ✓Tourist (L) / Business (M) visa (embassy) for Indian passport holders
- ✓Permitted stay: Up to 30 days per entry
- ✓Entry: Single / Double / Multiple
- ✓Typical processing: 4–7 working days
- ✓Exact total quoted after a free document assessment (govt fee ~₹6,800)
- ✓Embassy / VFS submission with biometrics
- ✓Approx. 92% approval on Explera-filed applications
Overview
China does not offer Indian passport holders a tourist e-visa or visa-on-arrival — every applicant submits a sticker visa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC), and Explera is your China visa specialist for the full file. The COVA form (China Online Visa Application, completed online then printed and signed) and a fixed day-wise itinerary are scrutinised closely, so accuracy on the very first submission is what protects your travel date.
Fingerprint biometrics are mandatory at the CVASC for applicants aged 14–70 (limited exemptions apply), so at least one in-person visit to the centre is required even though Explera prepares and lodges the entire application. We book and brief you for that biometric appointment and hand you a submission-ready pack, so the visit takes minutes.
We specialise in every China category Surat travellers use — L (tourism), M (business, with an invitation letter from a Chinese entity), Q1/Q2 (visiting family or Chinese relatives) and X1/X2 (student) — and secure multiple-entry visas for the city’s ceramics, textile, diamond-tool and machinery exporters who visit Yiwu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and the Canton Fair repeatedly through the year.
Who needs a China visa?
Indian passport holders need a tourist (l) / business (m) visa (embassy) for China, submitted through the embassy or VFS with biometrics. A complete, well-presented file is decisive — Explera prepares your cover letter, itinerary, financials and forms to embassy standards.
What documents are required for a China visa?
Passport
Original, valid 6+ months beyond stay with 2+ blank pages, plus all old passports showing prior China visas/entries if any.
COVA application form
China Online Visa Application form, completed online, printed and signed on every marked page — Explera fills this with you to consulate spec.
Photograph
Recent (within 6 months) 48×33 mm colour photo, white background, bare head, full face — one pasted on the form and one loose, per the Chinese consulate spec.
Fingerprint biometrics
Collected in person at the CVASC for applicants aged 14–70; Explera books the appointment and preps you so it is done in one short visit.
Confirmed flights & hotel
Round-trip air ticket booking and hotel reservations covering every night of the stay.
Day-wise itinerary
Detailed schedule matching your flight and hotel dates — Explera prepares this to the format the consulate expects.
Bank statement
Last 6 months, bank-attested, showing sufficient, steady funds for the trip.
Additional documents (case-by-case)
Business (M) applicants
Original invitation letter from the Chinese host company / trade-fair organiser on letterhead, naming the applicant, dates, purpose and who bears costs.
Family visit (Q1/Q2) applicants
Invitation letter from the relative in China plus proof of their status (Chinese ID / residence permit) and proof of the family relationship.
Student (X1/X2) applicants
Original JW201/JW202 form and the admission notice from the Chinese institution; X1 is for study over 180 days, X2 for short courses.
Employed applicants
Employment/leave letter on company letterhead and 3 months’ salary slips.
Self-employed / trade visitors
GST certificate, company registration and business bank statement — common for Surat’s Yiwu/Guangzhou/Shenzhen buyers.
Minors (under 18)
Birth certificate, both parents’ passports/IDs and a signed consent letter from the parents/guardian.
How do I apply for a China visa from Surat?
- 1
Category & itinerary
We confirm the right category (L tourist, M business, Q family, X student) and build a day-wise itinerary matching your bookings.
- 2
Document pack
Explera completes the COVA form online and assembles photos, financials and any invitation/admission letters to consulate standard.
- 3
CVASC submission & biometrics
Application lodged at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre with your fingerprint biometrics captured — no interview for most applicants.
- 4
Collect
Passport with the visa sticker returned in 4–7 working days; express (2–3 day) and rush options are available at a higher consulate fee.
How long does a China visa take?
Standard processing for a China visa is 4–7 working days from the date of biometric submission.
Peak season (summer holidays, Diwali and Christmas) and busy embassies can extend timelines, so we recommend applying at least 3–4 weeks before travel.
Explera applies with time to spare and keeps you updated at every stage — you can always reach the visa desk on +91 70963 32299.
Why China visas get refused — and how we prevent it
Most refusals come down to avoidable mistakes. Explera pre-screens every application against each of these before we file:
Incomplete, inconsistent or poorly-scanned documents
Insufficient or unexplained bank balance and unclear funding
Passport valid for less than 6 months or without blank pages
Weak travel history or an unconvincing purpose of visit for first-time applicants
Unconfirmed or unrealistic itinerary, tickets or hotel bookings
Tips for a smooth China visa
- ✓Keep your passport valid at least 6 months beyond your China travel dates, with 2+ blank pages.
- ✓Maintain a healthy, steady bank balance for 3–6 months before you apply — sudden large deposits raise questions.
- ✓Apply early: start your China visa at least 3–4 weeks before departure to absorb any delay.
- ✓Bundle your visa with flights, hotels and insurance through Explera — a complete, consistent file approves faster.
What travellers say — China visa through Explera
Recent China visa applicants from Surat & Gujarat. Explera is rated 4.8/5 across 2,130+ verified reviews — read more.
★★★★★
“Booked our parents’ visit and China visa together with Explera — flights, hotels and visa on one bill. One follow-up call from their side and everything was done. This is how it should work.”
Riya Mehta
Surat (Varachha) · Parents’ visit
★★★★★
“Fees were told upfront with no hidden charges, documents picked up from home, and my China tourist (l) / business (m) visa (embassy) was approved comfortably before my travel date. Five stars for the visa desk.”
Sanjay Dholakia
Surat (Varachha) · Parents’ visit
★★★★★
“I compared 3 agents in Surat for my China visa and chose Explera for their clarity. Parents’ visit went ahead exactly on schedule — visa approved, no drama, proper GST invoice too.”
Bhavna Gajera
Surat (Varachha) · Parents’ visit
Your local China visa agent — Surat & all of Gujarat
Explera Vacations runs a dedicated visa desk in Surat — at the Surat Diamond Bourse (Khajod) and on L. H. Road (Varachha) — handling China tourist (l) / business (m) visa (embassy)s for travellers across Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Vapi and the rest of Gujarat. Most applications run entirely on WhatsApp: share your documents, we verify and file, and you track the application to decision on one thread. Document pickup is available across Surat, and where the mission requires biometrics we book the VFS appointment most convenient to you.
City-wise China visa desks:
China visa FAQ
China visa — your questions
Information last reviewed: July 2026. Visa rules, fees and processing times change frequently and are set by the destination authorities. The information above is indicative for Indian passport holders — Explera confirms the current requirements for your profile before you apply.
More visas in East Asia
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