India to Resume Tourist Visas for Chinese Nationals
India will restart issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens beginning July 24, 2025. This comes after a five-year halt following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and pandemic-related travel restrictions. Chinese applicants will need to fill out an online form, schedule an appointment, and visit Indian visa centers in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou to complete the process.
Business and Student Visas Were Restored Earlier
India had previously resumed business and student visas for Chinese nationals in 2024. China, on its part, began allowing Indian students and business travelers back in 2022. Tourist visas remained suspended until now, making this the final category to be reopened since relations began stabilizing.
Diplomatic Efforts Behind the Move
The decision comes amid a gradual thaw in diplomatic relations. Direct passenger flights between India and China resumed in March 2025. The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route was also reopened recently. Military disengagement in eastern Ladakh and ongoing high-level talks have signaled efforts from both countries to normalize ties.
Reasons Behind the Ban
The suspension of tourist visas in 2020 followed deadly border clashes and the outbreak of COVID-19. The Indian government took a series of measures afterward, including restrictions on Chinese investments, banning Chinese apps, and suspending visa services. These moves were mirrored by China during the same period.
What Happens Next
From July 24, Chinese nationals will be able to apply for tourist visas again, provided they submit the required documents in person at any of the three authorized Indian visa centers in China. This marks another step in improving India-China relations, though strategic tensions remain.
