China Issues 85,000 Visas to Indians in 3 Months, Eases Rules to Boost Travel
In a major outreach move, China has issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens in just three months and eased travel rules to welcome more visitors from India.
The Chinese Embassy in India has granted more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens between January and April 9 this year, the Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong announced. The move, described as a sign of warming ties, also includes major relaxations in visa application procedures.
“Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China,” Ambassador Xu wrote on X, sharing the latest data.
The issued visas cover categories such as business, education, tourism, family visits, and participation in conferences and medical programs.
To facilitate more Indian travellers, China has implemented several reforms in its visa process:
- No online appointment required: Indians can now walk into Chinese visa centers on working days to submit their applications.
- Biometric exemption: Short-term travellers are no longer required to submit biometric data.
- Visa fee reduction: Processing charges for various visa categories have been lowered.
- Faster approvals: Visa issuance timelines have been shortened significantly.
The changes aim to make travel more accessible and seamless, particularly for business professionals and students.
Officials confirmed that a major portion of these travellers include Indian students resuming or beginning education in Chinese universities, along with business leaders attending expos and establishing trade ties.
Academic collaborations and cultural exchanges are also seeing renewed interest following the easing of pandemic-era restrictions.
The announcement comes at a time when China is grappling with heightened global economic pressure, especially from the US, which recently imposed 145% tariffs on certain Chinese imports. India, meanwhile, has maintained a pragmatic stance on economic cooperation with its neighbor.
Both governments have signaled intentions to deepen ties in sectors like tourism, education, and bilateral trade.
Indians can apply for Chinese visas through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres (CVASC) located in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Visa categories include Student (X1/X2), Work (Z), Business (M), Tourist (L), and Family (Q).
