India Switches to Short-Term Business Visas for Chinese Technicians Amid Rising Applications

New Delhi, December 12, 2025— India has revised its visa policy to better manage a growing number of short-term business visa requests from Chinese nationals, officials said on Friday. The changes are intended to simplify entry for technicians and specialists without easing the strict security checks already in place.

The surge in visa applications follows the October 2024 understanding between India and China to end their prolonged military standoff in Ladakh and gradually normalise ties. Many recent applicants are technical experts who visit India briefly to install or service machinery at industrial units.

Previously, these visitors were issued employment or “E” visas valid for six months or more. Authorities have now decided to issue business or “B” visas instead, as they are designed for shorter visits. Officials said these visas will typically be processed within three to four weeks.

While the revised rules apply to all foreign nationals, Chinese visitors are expected to benefit the most, given the volume of applications from China. Officials emphasised that all vetting procedures—primarily conducted by the Union home ministry—remain unchanged. They also confirmed the existence of a quota for business visas issued to Chinese nationals, but declined to reveal further details.

“The home ministry, the external affairs ministry and multiple agencies take part in vetting Chinese visa applicants,” an official said.

India had significantly limited visas for Chinese citizens after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, which caused casualties on both sides. The government also banned several Chinese apps and tightened scrutiny of Chinese investments that same year.

Gradual progress in bilateral relations this year has led to selective easing, including the revival of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, the resumption of direct flights, and relaxed tourist visa norms for Chinese visitors.

An estimate by the Observer Research Foundation recently noted that strict scrutiny of Chinese business activities caused nearly $15 billion in production losses for Indian electronics manufacturers relying on Chinese equipment for mobile phone production. With ties improving, companies have once again begun seeking visas for Chinese experts required to install specialised machinery imported from China.