India Tourist Visa: Visas Resume for Chinese After 5 Years

In a significant diplomatic and travel development, India has resumed the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese citizens after a five-year suspension. The decision, effective immediately, marks a turning point in India–China relations, which had been strained following the 2020 border tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resumption of tourist visas was confirmed by Indian authorities on July 24, 2025, and is seen as a broader move to restore people-to-people contact and revive tourism links between the two Asian powers.

A Diplomatic Breakthrough

The announcement coincided with the 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India–China border affairs, held in New Delhi. Both sides discussed the ongoing situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and reviewed efforts to ensure peace and stability. The meeting also set the stage for upcoming high-level talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Officials see the visa move as part of a confidence-building framework to gradually normalize bilateral relations through diplomacy and public engagement.

Boost to Tourism and Connectivity

India had stopped issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals in early 2020. The decision to lift the ban is expected to revitalize tourism from China, which was once a rapidly growing source market for India. In 2019, India granted nearly 200,000 visas to Chinese travelers, a number that sharply declined during the pandemic and border stand-off.

Earlier in June 2025, India also resumed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a key pilgrimage route for Hindu devotees that passes through Chinese territory. In addition, discussions are underway to re-establish direct flight routes between major Indian and Chinese cities, which were suspended in the wake of deteriorating relations.

Practical Implementation

Chinese tourists can now apply for Indian visas through the online portal and are required to submit documents at Indian Visa Application Centers located in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The process includes appointment scheduling, submission of passport and photographs, and proof of travel plans.

Indian authorities have assured that visa processing will be conducted efficiently, with a view to facilitating smoother travel for Chinese nationals.

Positive Regional Outlook

The restoration of tourist visas is seen as a strategic move that complements India’s broader foreign policy goals—promoting cultural diplomacy, enhancing regional cooperation, and gradually de-escalating border tensions.

Chinese officials have welcomed the decision, calling it a “positive step” that will strengthen mutual understanding and people-to-people ties.

Conclusion

The resumption of Indian tourist visas for Chinese citizens signals a thaw in bilateral relations and reopens the door to greater tourism, cultural exchange, and diplomatic dialogue. While core strategic issues remain unresolved, this development represents a constructive effort to rebuild trust through peaceful engagement and increased mobility.