India Business Visas May Open for Chinese

In a move signaling a cautious thaw in bilateral ties, the Indian government is preparing to ease restrictions on business visas for Chinese professionals, potentially ending a five-year freeze that kept senior executives out of the country.

According to officials, the government is likely to approve non-technical business visa applications for critical leadership roles, including chief executives, country heads, general managers, and senior executives in finance, marketing, sales, and HR.

Relief for Chinese Companies in India

The decision is expected to benefit major Chinese firms operating in India, such as Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, BYD, Hisense, and Haier, many of which have been functioning without their Chinese leadership teams since 2020. A senior executive from a leading electronics firm confirmed that companies have already been advised to begin preparing visa applications.

Boost to Manufacturing and Supply Chains

Industry experts note that easing visa restrictions will significantly strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem, which remains heavily dependent on Chinese collaboration for electronics and automobile components. Currently, between 50–65% of components used in India’s electronics sector are sourced from China.

Executives from Indian manufacturers like Dixon Technologies and Amber Enterprises have often had to travel to China to finalize joint ventures and technical tie-ups due to visa barriers. The new policy is expected to accelerate partnerships and smoothen supply chain operations.

Part of a Broader Policy Shift

The move builds on recent steps by India to normalize mobility with China:

• August 2024: India resumed issuing e-Business visas to Chinese citizens.
• July 2025: Tourist visas for Chinese travelers were reinstated after five years.
• 2024 onwards: India introduced fast-track visa systems for Chinese technicians under Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, cutting processing times from months to around 30 days.

Balancing Diplomacy and Economy

While strategic and security concerns remain, the relaxation of business visas highlights India’s pragmatic stance on economic cooperation. Analysts say the policy could unlock stalled investments, enhance supply chains, and foster greater technology transfer, all while maintaining diplomatic caution.

“Business leadership is critical for bilateral economic activity,” one senior industry official noted. “Allowing Chinese executives back into India will give much-needed confidence to investors and manufacturers alike.”

If approved, the policy will mark a significant step toward restoring business continuity between India and China, two of Asia’s largest economies, after years of strained relations.