China introduces online visa application process for Sri Lankans

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo will officially launch the “China Visa Online Application System” from June 30, 2025, the Embassy announced yesterday.   
Issuing a statement, an Embassy spokesman said that after the upgrade, applicants can visit the website https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ to fill out the visa application form online, upload the required documents, and the application will enter the preliminary review phase.   
During this period, applicants can log into the website to check the application status and, as required, modify the form or supplement application documents.   
When the status of the order changes to “Passport to be submitted”, please submit the application in person with passport and documents, provide biometric information (e.g. fingerprints). The application will now enter the final review stage. If approved, the applicant is required to visit the Chinese Embassy again to collect the passport and visa and pay visa fees, according to the spokesman.   
Accordingly, applicants need to create an account for the online visa application, though only email registration is supported at present. The online preliminary review takes about 1-3 working days, and the review after submitting the passport takes 3-4 working days.  “Submitting an application too early (e.g. 1 month or more in advance) may cause a backlog in the visa system and may not be processed in a timely manner.