Travel trade sources have shared the 2026 holiday schedule for the Consular Services of the Chinese Embassy in India, a development that is expected to help tour operators, corporates and outbound travellers plan China visa applications well in advance.
According to information circulated within the travel trade, the Consular Section is expected to observe multiple holiday closures across the year in line with Chinese public holidays. During these periods, visa processing and consular services are likely to remain suspended from January 1 to January 3, 2026, on account of New Year’s Day. One of the longest shutdowns will be observed during the Chinese Spring Festival, with consular services suspended from February 15 to February 23, 2026. This period traditionally witnesses high travel demand and processing delays, making early application critical.
Other closures include the Qingming Festival from April 4 to April 6, International Labor Day from May 1 to May 5, and the Dragon Boat Festival from June 19 to June 21. The Consular Service will also remain closed during the Mid-Autumn Festival from September 25 to September 27, followed by the National Day holiday from October 1 to October 7, 2026, another extended closure period.
Travel trade experts note that such extended shutdowns, particularly around the Spring Festival and National Day, often lead to application backlogs once services resume. Visa agents and outbound tour operators are therefore advising travellers to submit applications well in advance to avoid last-minute disruptions.
