India Eases Business Visa Norms for Chinese Professionals Amid Efforts to Rebuild Ties

PTI, New Delhi, December 12, 2025: India has revised its visa norms to expedite the approval process for business visas granted to Chinese professionals visiting the country for short durations. This move comes as part of ongoing efforts to restore and normalise relations between India and China, which had deteriorated following the border tensions in eastern Ladakh.

According to sources familiar with the development, while the new norms aim to streamline the process for Chinese business visa applicants, the existing vetting procedures for all Chinese visa applicants remain unchanged. Previously, Chinese professionals visiting India for brief periods were issued employment visas or "E" visas with a validity of six months or more. Under the new guidelines, they will now be issued short-term business visas instead.

The new visa issuance norms will primarily benefit Chinese nationals, although they will apply to applicants from all countries. All business visa applications will now be processed within a time frame of three to four weeks, according to officials. This change is expected to facilitate the travel of Chinese experts to India, especially those offering technical support to Indian companies that use Chinese-made equipment and machinery.

The adjustment comes amid a broader effort by both countries to repair their strained ties, which were heavily impacted by the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh that began in May 2020. Since the resolution of the standoff in October 2024, India and China have taken steps towards normalising relations, including the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals in July this year.

In recent months, India and China have made several diplomatic moves to reset their bilateral relationship. These steps include agreeing to resume the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, re-establishing direct flights between the two countries in October, and commemorating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have also expressed their intent to strengthen bilateral ties. In August, the two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in combating global challenges and work towards a "fair" resolution of the ongoing border dispute. Their meeting, held in the Chinese city of Tianjin during the Shanghai Cooperation Summit, focused on expanding trade and investment ties to stabilise global commerce.

Additionally, in the lead-up to Modi’s visit to China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi, where both countries unveiled a series of measures to ensure a "stable, cooperative and forward-looking" relationship, including jointly maintaining peace along the border, reopening border trade, and promoting investment flows.