Rules for Applying for a China Visa Have Changed: Old Passports and Bank Documents Are Now Required

Rules for Applying for a China Visa Have Changed: Old Passports and Bank Documents Are Now Required

New visa documentation requirements for Indian tourists have been notified by VFS Global and the Chinese Embassy. To avoid rejection, applicants must now adhere to stringent date formats, produce old passports, make sure their names are consistent, and fulfill updated requirements for financial verification.

China has implemented a set of new regulations for all visa applications. Therefore, it is crucial to have your documentation ready before applying for a China visa if you intend to visit China for business or pleasure.

Changes to the China Visa Application Procedure
The Chinese Embassy and VFS Global centers have revised their documentation requirements for all visa applicants, according to numerous travel industry sources. These regulations are now more stringent, and your application may be denied at the counter if any information is missing.

This is a clear description of the changes and what you must do.

1. Old Passports Need to Be Turned in
In addition to their current valid passport, applicants must now present any previous passports (issued within the last five years, if obtainable). Therefore, even if your old passport has expired, include it if it shows your travel or visa history.

2. Documentation of Name Consistency and Change
You might need to present official documentation of the change if the name on your passport differs from the name on other identity documents, such as Aadhaar in India. This could be a name-change affidavit or a notice published in the gazette.

3. Stricter Formatting for Invitation and Cover Letters
A more formal cover letter and, if required, an invitation letter with specifics are now required for the visa application.
The applicant's complete name, passport number, reason for trip, dates of arrival and departure, locations to be visited, and the inviting entity's contact information should all be properly stated in the cover letter.
The invitation must contain the inviter's name, title, business, and a stamp or signature in both Chinese and English if you are applying under the "business/visit" category.
Every date in the invitation letter and the cover letter must now adhere to the precise format. YYYY MM DD—if not, you run the danger of having your application rejected right away. (This can be found in the VFS New Delhi guidance.)

4. Proof of Funds and Bank Statement
Proof of cash is now more important for applications for tourist visas (L category). A need of approximately ₹300,000 in the bank account over the previous three months is mentioned in certain stated guidelines.

According to official embassy guidelines, Indian applicants must provide documentation of a deposit of ₹100,000 that has been consistent throughout the previous six months.
In summary, make sure you have reliable bank statements and balances to support your visit.

5. Capital letters must be used on all application forms.
The revised documentation guidelines state that all trip information, including the visa application form, must be in capital letters. The VFS warning highlights that failure to comply could result in rejection.

6. Elimination of Appointments and Faster Processing
One good development is that, in many situations, Indian candidates no longer need to schedule an appointment at the visa center; they can now submit their application on any working day.

Additionally, the processing time for standard cases is typically 4 working days, and for expedited cases, it is about 3 working days, if your documents fulfill the requirements.

A Checklist of Things Travelers Should Do
Before submitting your application for a China visa, follow these helpful steps:

Collect all of your passports from the preceding five years in addition to your current passport.
Make sure the name on your passport matches the name on your Aadhaar or other identity documents. Obtain an affidavit or name-change certificate if it differs.
Write a concise cover letter that includes your complete name, passport number, the reason for your trip, the dates (YYYY MM DD), the locations you plan to visit, and, if relevant, the contact details of your Chinese inviter.
If you are applying under the business or invitation category, make sure the Chinese invitation is in both Chinese and English and includes your name, designation, company, stamp, and signature.
Verify your bank statements to make sure there is a steady amount for the last few months that will cover your stay.
Use capital letters when filling out the application.
Depending on your jurisdiction and the location where your passport was issued, submit to the appropriate visa center (New Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata).

Why These Modifications Are Important
They eliminate uncertainty: consistent document requirements, precise name match regulations, and unambiguous date formats all contribute to fewer rejections and delays.
They boost compliance: the authorities seek to strengthen verification by requesting older passports, evidence of funding, and more stringent invitation/cover letter details.

They expedite the process by eliminating the need for an appointment and standardizing forms, which makes it easier for many applicants.

Concluding remarks
Take this update carefully if you want to travel to China in the near future. Give your documents, name consistency, and date format the same consideration as your hotel and airline reservations. A small mistake could result in a delay or denial of a visa.

Verify everything again. Change dates to YYYY MM DD. Provide all previous passports, accurately sign the cover letter, and retain bank documentation. In order to avoid having to rush later, do this now.

Finally, remember to save photocopies of all the documents you turn in. Additionally, whenever you can, think about backing up or uploading electronic copies. Being overprepared is preferable to being underprepared.