The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on 3 December that India’s tourist- and business-visa regime for Chinese nationals is now “fully functional,” ending a suspension that dated back to the 2020 border clashes. Business visas had already resumed earlier this year, but Wednesday’s update extends the reopening to leisure travellers worldwide.
The announcement follows the restoration of direct commercial flights in October and is part of a package of "people-centric" confidence-building measures negotiated in 2025. Officials hope easier mobility will revive a once-thriving USD 1.1 billion bilateral tourism market and re-energise supply-chain and tech collaborations that rely on frequent travel.
![India fully restores tourist visas for Chinese nationals after five-year freeze]()
For Indian corporates, the change simplifies staff rotations to Chinese factories and research centres; for Chinese investors, it removes a psychological barrier to exploring India’s consumer market. Travel agents report an immediate spike in group enquiries for Buddhist circuit itineraries and trade-fair delegations slated for Q1-2026.
Border protocols remain tight: applicants must upload biometrics in advance and complete the new Indian e-Arrival Card, but no additional COVID-related paperwork is required. Analysts note that Beijing could reciprocate by restoring pre-pandemic visa-processing times for Indians, although no timeline has been set.
The announcement follows the restoration of direct commercial flights in October and is part of a package of "people-centric" confidence-building measures negotiated in 2025. Officials hope easier mobility will revive a once-thriving USD 1.1 billion bilateral tourism market and re-energise supply-chain and tech collaborations that rely on frequent travel.
For Indian corporates, the change simplifies staff rotations to Chinese factories and research centres; for Chinese investors, it removes a psychological barrier to exploring India’s consumer market. Travel agents report an immediate spike in group enquiries for Buddhist circuit itineraries and trade-fair delegations slated for Q1-2026.
Border protocols remain tight: applicants must upload biometrics in advance and complete the new Indian e-Arrival Card, but no additional COVID-related paperwork is required. Analysts note that Beijing could reciprocate by restoring pre-pandemic visa-processing times for Indians, although no timeline has been set.
