In the clearest sign of thawing bilateral tensions since the 2020 border standoff, Indian embassies and consulates worldwide have resumed accepting tourist-visa applications from Chinese citizens. Visa issuance had been suspended for nearly five years, with only partial relaxations earlier this July.
Missions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong processed the first batch of applications this week. Officials say demand is initially modest but expect a surge ahead of the Lunar New Year.
![India Fully Re-Opens Tourist Visa Processing for Chinese Nationals]()
For Indian hotels, inbound tour operators and retail districts that once depended on high-spending Chinese groups, the move is a welcome boost. Airports also anticipate higher transfer volumes, prompting Delhi and Mumbai to retest Mandarin signage and language support at immigration counters.
Corporates see an upside too: cross-border engineering audits, stalled since 2020, can now be rescheduled without relying on business-visa waivers. However, the Indian side is proceeding cautiously; the ministry has retained biometric enrolment and itinerary disclosure rules introduced during the pandemic. Companies should factor in a 10-day processing window and expect flight capacity to ramp up only gradually.
Missions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong processed the first batch of applications this week. Officials say demand is initially modest but expect a surge ahead of the Lunar New Year.
For Indian hotels, inbound tour operators and retail districts that once depended on high-spending Chinese groups, the move is a welcome boost. Airports also anticipate higher transfer volumes, prompting Delhi and Mumbai to retest Mandarin signage and language support at immigration counters.
Corporates see an upside too: cross-border engineering audits, stalled since 2020, can now be rescheduled without relying on business-visa waivers. However, the Indian side is proceeding cautiously; the ministry has retained biometric enrolment and itinerary disclosure rules introduced during the pandemic. Companies should factor in a 10-day processing window and expect flight capacity to ramp up only gradually.
