New Delhi has removed an extra layer of security vetting on business visas for Chinese nationals and set a target of clearing applications within four weeks, senior Indian officials confirmed on 12 December. The change follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s November visit to Beijing – the first in seven years – and ends a backlog that began after the 2020 border clash.
For Indian manufacturers, especially in electronics and renewable-energy equipment, the bottleneck proved costly. Industry body ICEA estimates production losses of US $15 billion over four years because Chinese technicians could not enter plants to install or service machinery. The streamlined process is expected to help reclaim at least US $4 billion in output in 2026, according to a preliminary Ministry of Commerce note.
China has welcomed the move as a “constructive step” toward normalising bilateral ties. Direct flights between the two countries, suspended during the pandemic, have gradually returned to 70 % of 2019 levels, and airlines say the visa change could restore full connectivity by next summer schedule.
![India Fast-Tracks Visas for Chinese Professionals After Five-Year Bottleneck]()
Companies and individuals eager to benefit from this faster approval window can simplify the paperwork through VisaHQ. The platform’s China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers document pre-screening, appointment scheduling and real-time tracking for Indian business-visa applications, allowing travelers to capitalize fully on the new four-week timeline without administrative headaches.
From a global-mobility standpoint, companies with China-based experts – particularly telecoms, EV-battery makers and photovoltaic firms – should revisit assignment calendars. HR teams can now plan short-term trips to Indian client sites without the two-month buffer previously required for visa paperwork, though security-clearance waivers for installations near sensitive border states remain in force.
Practically, Chinese applicants must still provide a letter of invitation and proof of accommodation, but consular appointments will be granted on a first-come basis rather than passing through an inter-ministerial clearance panel. Multinationals should monitor visa volumes: the Indian missions in Beijing and Shanghai can collectively process 6,000 business visas per month under the new timeline.
For Indian manufacturers, especially in electronics and renewable-energy equipment, the bottleneck proved costly. Industry body ICEA estimates production losses of US $15 billion over four years because Chinese technicians could not enter plants to install or service machinery. The streamlined process is expected to help reclaim at least US $4 billion in output in 2026, according to a preliminary Ministry of Commerce note.
China has welcomed the move as a “constructive step” toward normalising bilateral ties. Direct flights between the two countries, suspended during the pandemic, have gradually returned to 70 % of 2019 levels, and airlines say the visa change could restore full connectivity by next summer schedule.
Companies and individuals eager to benefit from this faster approval window can simplify the paperwork through VisaHQ. The platform’s China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers document pre-screening, appointment scheduling and real-time tracking for Indian business-visa applications, allowing travelers to capitalize fully on the new four-week timeline without administrative headaches.
From a global-mobility standpoint, companies with China-based experts – particularly telecoms, EV-battery makers and photovoltaic firms – should revisit assignment calendars. HR teams can now plan short-term trips to Indian client sites without the two-month buffer previously required for visa paperwork, though security-clearance waivers for installations near sensitive border states remain in force.
Practically, Chinese applicants must still provide a letter of invitation and proof of accommodation, but consular appointments will be granted on a first-come basis rather than passing through an inter-ministerial clearance panel. Multinationals should monitor visa volumes: the Indian missions in Beijing and Shanghai can collectively process 6,000 business visas per month under the new timeline.
