New Delhi: India has adjusted its visa rules to manage a rising influx of short-term business visa applications from Chinese nationals, officials familiar with the matter said on Friday. The move aims to streamline entry for technical experts without altering the stringent vetting procedures already in place.
Following the October 2024 understanding between India and China to end their prolonged military standoff in Ladakh and gradually normalise bilateral relations, visa applications from Chinese nationals have increased. Many applicants are technicians or specialists who visit India briefly to install or service machinery at factories.
Until recently, such visitors were issued employment or “E” visas valid for six months or longer. However, authorities have now decided to issue business or “B” visas instead, which are meant for shorter stays. Officials said these visas will be processed within three to four weeks.
Though the revised rules apply to all nationalities, Chinese nationals are expected to benefit the most due to the high volume of applications from China. All existing vetting procedures—primarily handled by the Union home ministry—will remain unchanged. Officials also confirmed that a quota exists for business visas issued to Chinese nationals, but declined to share specifics.
“The home ministry, the external affairs ministry and various agencies are part of the visa vetting process for Chinese applicants,” one official said.
India had sharply restricted visa issuance to Chinese nationals after the 2020 border clashes in Galwan Valley, which resulted in casualties on both sides. The government also banned several Chinese apps and tightened norms for Chinese investments.
This year, the two countries have taken incremental steps to ease tensions, including the revival of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, the resumption of direct flights, and relaxed rules for tourist visas for Chinese visitors.
A recent estimate by the Observer Research Foundation suggested that stringent scrutiny of Chinese business activity contributed to production losses of nearly $15 billion for Indian electronics manufacturers, who rely on Chinese machinery for mobile phone production. With bilateral ties showing gradual improvement, companies have begun applying for visas for Chinese experts to install specialised equipment imported from China.
