Applicants seeking China attestation and visa services should note that the Hague Apostille Convention currently does not apply between India and China. Although China acceded to the Convention on 8 March 2023 and it entered into force on 7 November 2023, India formally objected to China’s accession. As a result, the Apostille system is not applicable between the two countries, and an MEA Apostille alone is generally not accepted for Indian documents used in Mainland China. Indian documents must therefore follow the traditional consular legalization process: Notary → State Authentication (HRD/Home Department) → MEA Attestation → Chinese Embassy or Consulate legalization. GloboPrime India provides China attestation services for educational, personal, and commercial documents required for use in China. This page also explains the process for applying for China visas such as L (Tourist), M (Business), Z (Work), and X (Student) through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in Chennai, Egmore.
China Embassy Attestation is the formal process of legalizing your Indian-issued documents through a chain of official verifications, ending with the stamp and signature of the Embassy or Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in India. This stamp confirms to Chinese government authorities, employers, universities, and courts that your documents are genuine, legally issued, and valid for use within China.
Unlike countries that have joined the Hague Apostille Convention (where a single MEA Apostille stamp suffices), China requires the full multi-level attestation chain because it is not part of the Apostille system. This means every document for China must be separately attested at three levels: State level → MEA level → Chinese Embassy/Consulate level.
Indian applicants planning to use documents in China should understand that the MEA Apostille process does not apply to China. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Apostille is a simplified authentication method available only for countries that mutually recognize the Hague Apostille Convention, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and France.
IMPORTANT: There is NO Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Chennai. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana fall under the consular jurisdiction of the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. Residents of these states must submit China visa applications through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in New Delhi. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Chennai (No. 30, Norton Road, Mandaveli) represents Taiwan (Republic of China) not the PRC.
Chinese consular officers and government departments require attested Indian documents for the following purposes:
| Purpose | Document Required | Visa Type |
|---|---|---|
| Employment in China (IT, Engineering, Manufacturing, Healthcare) | Degree/Diploma Certificate + Experience Letter | Z Visa (Work) |
| Higher Studies in China | Degree Certificate + Transcripts + School Leaving | X1/X2 Visa (Student) |
| Business Setup / Company Formation | Commercial Documents + COC + MoA + AoA | M/F Visa (Business) |
| Family Reunion / Spouse Visa | Marriage Certificate + Birth Certificate | Q/S Visa (Family) |
| Residence Permit Renewal | All personal and professional documents | Z Visa (Resident) |
| Skilled Worker Programme (China) | Technical Qualification Certificates | Z Visa (Skilled Worker) |
| Teaching in China (English, Sciences) | Degree Certificate + TEFL/IELTS | Z Visa (Work) |
| China Talent Visa (R Visa) | Professional Achievement Documents | R Visa (Talent) |
| China Investment Visa | Financial + Commercial Documents | M Visa (Business) |
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India |
| Address | 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 |
| Tamil Nadu Jurisdiction | Tamil Nadu falls under New Delhi Embassy (not Mumbai, not Kolkata) |
| Other States under New Delhi | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, AP, Telangana, Delhi, Punjab, UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, J&K, and remaining states not covered by Mumbai or Kolkata |
| Submission Hours | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Monday to Friday) |
| Collection Hours | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday) |
| Important Note | Direct walk-in submission from individuals is not practical for Tamil Nadu residents. Submission must be done by an authorized representative in Delhi. GloboPrime India submits on your behalf. |
| University / Board | Verification Method | Key Notes | Typical HRD Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna University (Guindy + affiliated engineering colleges) | e-Sanad / Genuineness Certificate | Genuineness Certificate from Centre for Student Affairs, Guindy. Requires digital upload of degree + consolidated marksheet. Different from a transcript. | 15 – 25 working days |
| University of Madras | Online (recent) / Physical (older degrees) | Pre-2010 degrees often require physical submission to university. Online available for recent degrees. | 15 – 20 working days |
| Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) | Physical verification at Palkalai Nagar campus | Direct verification at campus often required. Plan for extra time if you are outside Madurai. | 20 – 30 working days |
| Bharathidasan University (BDU), Trichy | DirectVerify online first | Online verification via directverify.in mandatory before physical Secretariat submission. | 15 – 25 working days |
| Bharathiar University, Coimbatore | DirectVerify online first | Online verification mandatory before HRD submission. | 15 – 25 working days |
| Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University | Online portal + digital payment | Portal registration and digital payment mandatory. | 20 – 30 working days |
| TN State Board (SSLC / HSC) | Government records via Secretariat | Verification through state board records directly. | 10 – 20 working days |
| Thiruvalluvar University | Strict online verification first | Online verification must be fully completed before physical stamping. | 15 – 25 working days |
| Autonomous Colleges (Loyola, PSG, Stella Maris, etc.) | Based on affiliated parent university | HRD is done under the parent university (Anna Univ or Madras Univ). | Same as parent university |
| Deemed Universities (SRM, VIT, Saveetha) | University-specific online portals | Each deemed university has its own portal. Contact us for current requirements. | 15 – 25 working days |
| Document Type | Standard Time (working days) | Express Time (working days) | Longest Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree / Diploma Certificate | 35 – 50 | 25 – 35 | University Verification + HRD |
| Birth / Marriage Certificate | 22 – 35 | 15 – 22 | Home Department |
| Police Clearance Certificate | 22 – 35 | 15 – 22 | Home Department |
| Commercial Documents | 15 – 22 | 10 – 15 | MEA + Embassy |
| Power of Attorney | 22 – 35 | 15 – 22 | Home Dept + MEA + Embassy |
Times are from the date documents are received by GloboPrime in Chennai. Delays can occur during university verification backlogs, public holidays, or peak seasons. Express service prioritises MEA and Embassy stages.
GloboPrime handles all three categories of documents for every Tamil Nadu district and university:
All degree and academic certificates from Tamil Nadu institutions are handled including special expertise with Anna University (the most common engineering degree in Tamil Nadu requiring China attestation):
Anna University degrees: We have deep expertise with Anna University’s authentication process understanding which issuing colleges require university verification first, and how to navigate the HRD attestation for affiliated colleges across all 8 Anna University constituent colleges and 500+ affiliated institutions.
The process differs by document type. Educational certificates go through HRD. Personal documents go through Home Department / SDM. Commercial documents go through Chamber of Commerce first. All routes converge at MEA, then proceed to Chinese Embassy, New Delhi.
| Step | Stage | Authority in Tamil Nadu | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Verification (if required) | Issuing University / Anna University / UGC | 3-7 working days |
| 2 | HRD Attestation (Human Resource Development) | TN Dept of Higher Education / Directorate of Technical Education, Chennai | 5-8 working days |
| 3 | MEA Attestation | Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi (RPO / Head Office) | 3-5 working days |
| 4 | Chinese Embassy Attestation | Chinese Embassy, New Delhi | 3-5 working days |
| Step | Stage | Authority | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notary Attestation | Notary Public, Chennai | 1 working day |
| 2a | Home Department Attestation | Tamil Nadu Home Dept (Fort St. George, Chennai) | 5-7 working days |
| 2b | OR: SDM Attestation (alternate route) | Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Chennai | 3-5 working days |
| 3 | MEA Attestation | Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi | 3-5 working days |
| 4 | Chinese Embassy Attestation | Chinese Embassy, New Delhi | 3-5 working days |
12-18 working days
7-10 working days
| Step | Stage | Authority | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notary Attestation | Notary Public, Chennai | 1 working day |
| 2 | Chamber of Commerce Attestation | Madras Chamber of Commerce / FICCI / CII, Chennai | 2-3 working days |
| 3 | MEA Attestation | Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi | 3-5 working days |
| 4 | Chinese Embassy Attestation | Chinese Embassy, New Delhi | 3-5 working days |
9-14 working days
5-8 working days
GloboPrime manages all three tracks simultaneously for applicants who need multiple document types attested saving you weeks versus handling each track separately.
| Document Type | Standard Service | Express Service | Emergency Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Certificate (Educational) | 14-20 working days | 9-12 working days | 7-8 working days* |
| Birth / Marriage / Death Certificate (Personal) | 12-18 working days | 8-10 working days | 6-7 working days* |
| PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) | 15-22 working days | 10-14 working days | Contact us |
| Commercial Documents | 9-14 working days | 6-8 working days | 5 working days* |
| Multiple Documents (same applicant, same track) | Add 1-2 days per additional document | Bundled processing available | Contact us |
*Emergency service subject to availability and current Chinese Embassy processing capacity. Contact us for confirmation before booking emergency service.
Processing time is calculated from the date original documents are received at our Chennai office. Courier time from your city to Chennai is additional. Our doorstep pickup service is available across Tamil Nadu contact us to schedule.
| GloboPrime Chennai Office | 1st St, Sripuram Colony, Viralur, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600016 |
| Second Office | Shakti Tower 1, 766 GP, 11, Anna Salai, Thousand Lights, Chennai 600002 |
| States We Assist | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana with submission support through the applicable official China visa process in India |
| Our Office Hours | Monday – Saturday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Walk-In Assistance | Yes walk in to our Chennai office for document review, application support, and attestation guidance |
| Chinese Embassy (Attestation / Visa Authority) | Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India, New Delhi |
| Address | Concourse Floor, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001 |
| Office Days | Monday to Friday |
| Submission Hours | Normal Service: 09:00 – 15:00 | Express Service: 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Collection Hours | Expected collection windows are published by the centre at the time of processing |
| Processing Time | Regular Service: expected 6th working day | Express Service: expected 4th working day |
| Payment Method | Cash and Demand Draft |
| Contact | Phone: +91-9999036735 |
| Address | 8th Floor, Mafatlal Centre, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021 |
| Office Days | Monday to Friday |
| Submission Hours | 08:00 – 14:00 for applicants | 08:00 – 12:00 for registered travel agents and representatives |
| Collection Hours | 14:00 – 17:00 |
| Processing Time | Normal Service: around 5 working days | Express Service: around 4 working days | Urgent Service: around 2 working days after consulate approval |
| Contact | Phone: +91-22-22855271 | Email: mumbaicentre@visaforchina.org |
| Address | BIPI Building Omega, Ground Floor, Bengal Intelligent Park, Block EP & GP, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata – 700091 |
| Office Days | Monday to Friday |
| Submission Hours | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Collection Hours | 14:00 – 16:00 |
| Processing Time | Normal Service: 6 working days | Express Service: 4 working days |
| Contact | Phone: +91-033-40010210 | Email: kolkatacentre@visaforchina.org |
Note for Tamil Nadu applicants: There is currently no Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Chennai. Applicants from Tamil Nadu normally use the New Delhi route under the present jurisdiction framework used by the China visa centre network in India.
| Visa Type | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L Visa | Tourist Visa | For tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends, or personal travel to mainland China. Typical documents: online application and confirmation page | passport with sufficient validity and blank pages | recent photograph | return flight booking | hotel reservation | six months of personal bank statements | travel itinerary |
| M Visa | Business Visa | For commercial activities such as trade meetings, factory visits, exhibitions, client discussions, and negotiations. Typical documents: online application | passport | invitation letter from Chinese company | Chinese business licence copy with scope | inviter ID | Indian company documents where required | financial proof or covering letter depending on case |
| Z Visa | Work Visa | For paid employment in China. Typical documents: work authorisation / work permit notice | passport | online application | employer documents | attested degree or supporting credentials where required by employer or permit process |
| X1 / X2 | Student Visa | X1 is for long-term study, and X2 is for short-term study. Typical documents: admission notice | JW201 or JW202 where applicable | online application | passport | educational documents and other institution-specific requirements |
| Q1 / Q2 | Family Reunion / Family Visit Visa | Q1 is usually used for longer-term family reunion purposes, while Q2 is commonly used for short family visits. Marriage and birth documents may need Chinese embassy attestation depending on the purpose and authority requirement. |
| S1 / S2 | Dependent / Accompanying Family Visa | For family members of foreigners residing or working in China. Personal status documents may need full attestation depending on case type and document origin. |
| F Visa | Exchange / Cultural / Educational Visit | Used for non-commercial exchanges, cultural visits, academic visits, and similar programmes supported by a Chinese host institution or organisation. |
| J1 / J2 | Journalist Visa | For journalists and media professionals reporting from China. These applications require special media documentation and embassy interview procedures in addition to the standard application flow. |
| Visa Category / Service | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single Entry Visa Fee | ₹2,900 |
| Double Entry Visa Fee | ₹4,400 |
| Half-Year Multiple Entry Visa Fee | ₹5,900 |
| One-Year Multiple Entry Visa Fee | ₹8,800 |
| Express Service Surcharge | ₹1,800 or ₹2,700 depending on service level |
| CVASC Regular Service Fee | ₹2,018 |
| CVASC Express Service Fee | ₹2,974 |
| Regular Processing | Expected collection on the 6th working day |
| Express Processing | Expected collection on the 4th working day, subject to service conditions |
Visa fees are collected on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, while CVASC service charges are charged separately and are non-refundable.
The applicable total depends on the visa entry type and the current official fee schedule. Always confirm the latest fee before submission.| Profession | Support Offered |
|---|---|
| IT and Software Professionals | Business visa support for client and partner visits, and attestation guidance for degree documents often needed in work-permit and employment-linked cases |
| Traders and Garment Exporters | Business visa assistance for factory visits, exhibitions, trade fairs, supplier meetings, and commercial document attestation support |
| Students and Scholarship Applicants | Student visa application support, admission-document review, and academic certificate attestation guidance |
| Doctors and Healthcare Professionals | Work visa support and attestation assistance for medical degrees, registration documents, and employer-linked documentation where required |
| Yoga and Arts Instructors | Exchange and programme-based visa support for cultural and educational visits to Chinese institutions |
| Business Founders and Directors | Business visa support for meetings, expansion visits, supplier negotiations, and attestation of commercial documents |
| Research Scholars | Exchange or student visa support for academic collaboration, institution invitations, and research-related documents |