India tweaks norms for issuance of business visas to Chinese professionals

India has introduced revised procedures to accelerate the approval of business visas for Chinese professionals making short visits, marking another step in efforts to restore normal engagement after years of disruption caused by the standoff in eastern Ladakh.

- SIMONTINI BHATTACHARJEE

Officials familiar with the matter said on Friday that the changes aim to ensure quicker clearance without altering the existing security vetting for Chinese nationals.

According to the officials, Chinese technicians and specialists arriving for brief assignments had previously been issued employment visas valid for six months or longer. New Delhi has now opted to grant business visas suitable for shorter stays. While the updated norms will extend to applicants from several countries, Chinese nationals are expected to benefit the most. All applications for business visas will be processed within three to four weeks, the officials said.

The move is expected to support companies in India that rely on Chinese machinery and equipment by enabling faster travel for specialists providing technical assistance. It also comes during a period in which India and China have introduced a series of measures to improve ties after the two sides ended their more than four-year military confrontation along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh in October last year.