Long-Awaited Positive News from India: Major Visa Relaxation for China Citizens

India Sends an Important Signal to China

According to the latest reports from Global Times and Indian media, to promote the normalization of India-China relations, the Indian government has fully resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens. This move has been hailed by Indian media as another key signal of the continuous détente between the two countries.

Sources told The New Indian Express that the Indian government recently issued a notice to its embassies and consulates worldwide, "fully resuming tourist visa services for Chinese citizens." This initiative aligns with a series of "people-centric measures" agreed upon by India and China to stabilize bilateral relations.

Reportedly, in July this year, India resumed tourist visa issuance to Chinese citizens after a five-year suspension, but only through its embassy in Beijing and consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. The New Indian Express stated that expanding the visa application scope globally this time demonstrates India’s growing confidence in the current development of bilateral relations.

Notably, according to reports from Hindustan Times and AFP on October 26, India and China resumed direct flights on the same day. This marks "an important step toward rebuilding relations" between the two most populous Asian countries after five years.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India posted on social media on October 26: "The resumption of direct flights between China and India has become a reality." Hindustan Times called it a significant milestone in restoring normal travel links between the two countries. The Indian government stated that the resumption of flights will promote "people-to-people exchanges" and help "gradually normalize bilateral interactions."

Regarding the resumption of direct flights, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently stated that China is willing to work with India to view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, promote the sustained, healthy, and stable development of bilateral relations, better benefit the two countries and their peoples, and make due contributions to safeguarding peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

• A large number of Chinese engineers and technical personnel have been denied visas, affecting an estimated thousands of people.

• The processing cycle for business and work visas has been significantly prolonged, from weeks to months.

• Some visa categories require prior special government approval.

• Employees of Chinese enterprises not involved in PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) schemes are more likely to face restrictions.

• Strict screening mechanisms have led to frequent delays or rejections for executives and technical personnel of Chinese enterprises.

These policies have impacted the equipment installation, after-sales maintenance, and staffing of Indian manufacturing projects. Although India has signaled partial relaxation since 2024, the overall tightening trend has not been fully reversed.

• Several Chinese executives of Xiaomi have been unable to enter India for investigations and daily management due to long-delayed visa approvals.

• Many technical and management personnel of vivo have been denied long-term visas, with some having to travel frequently on short-term business visas.

• Equipment installation engineers from OPPO and its supply chain enterprises have been unable to take up their posts on time due to delayed visa approvals.

• Project teams of some new energy and communication equipment enterprises have faced construction delays due to visa hold-ups.

These cases collectively reflect the generally stricter visa screening for Chinese enterprises in India.