Indian embassies and consulates have quietly restarted issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens worldwide, Chinese media reported on 23 November. The step broadens a July pilot limited to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and follows the 26 October resumption of direct flights between Guangzhou and Delhi after a five-year hiatus.
Diplomatic watchers see the decision as a calibrated signal that the two Asian giants intend to normalise people-to-people links despite the unresolved border dispute. Tour operators in both countries welcomed the announcement, noting that China was India’s seventh-largest pre-Covid source market but has lagged in the recovery because of visa curbs and the absence of direct services. CYTS Tours, a leading mainland agency, told Global Times that bookings for medical tourism and spiritual circuits are already trickling in.
![Indian missions worldwide resume tourist-visa processing for Chinese nationals]()
For Indian businesses, easier access for Chinese visitors could revive stalled supplier visits, joint-venture negotiations and exhibition traffic—segments that shifted to virtual formats during three years of travel disruption. Hotels in Gurugram, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where Chinese tech and electronics firms maintain project offices, expect a gradual uptick in occupancy.
However, travel agents caution that India’s paper-based application and security screening remain time-consuming relative to competing destinations. Stakeholders advocate the introduction of an e-Visa category for Chinese nationals and Mandarin-language support at immigration counters to translate intent into real arrivals.
Companies hosting Chinese counterparts should monitor appointment availability at consular posts and factor in mailing time for stamped visas until electronic options materialise. They must also comply with India’s e-arrival card and FRRO reporting rules introduced this autumn.
Diplomatic watchers see the decision as a calibrated signal that the two Asian giants intend to normalise people-to-people links despite the unresolved border dispute. Tour operators in both countries welcomed the announcement, noting that China was India’s seventh-largest pre-Covid source market but has lagged in the recovery because of visa curbs and the absence of direct services. CYTS Tours, a leading mainland agency, told Global Times that bookings for medical tourism and spiritual circuits are already trickling in.
For Indian businesses, easier access for Chinese visitors could revive stalled supplier visits, joint-venture negotiations and exhibition traffic—segments that shifted to virtual formats during three years of travel disruption. Hotels in Gurugram, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where Chinese tech and electronics firms maintain project offices, expect a gradual uptick in occupancy.
However, travel agents caution that India’s paper-based application and security screening remain time-consuming relative to competing destinations. Stakeholders advocate the introduction of an e-Visa category for Chinese nationals and Mandarin-language support at immigration counters to translate intent into real arrivals.
Companies hosting Chinese counterparts should monitor appointment availability at consular posts and factor in mailing time for stamped visas until electronic options materialise. They must also comply with India’s e-arrival card and FRRO reporting rules introduced this autumn.
