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The Embassy of India in Beijing announced that India has resumed the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals, ending a suspension that began in 2020. This move marks a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Starting today, new tourist visas will be available, though under more stringent requirements compared to the previous electronic travel permits. Applicants are now required to complete an online application and schedule an appointment to submit their documents at the India Visa Application Centers located in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
The updated documentation process includes a bank guarantee of CNY100,000 (approximately USD13,985). Chinese travelers should note that, in comparison, China’s visa policy for Indian citizens remains relatively lenient, with over 85,000 Indian visas issued so far this year.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry emphasized the importance of facilitating personnel exchanges, stating, “Promoting people-to-people connections is in the best interest of all parties.” They added that China remains committed to maintaining open communication and ongoing consultations with India to make travel and exchanges more convenient.
After the announcement, online searches for trips to India on Chinese travel platforms skyrocketed. Flight inquiries to New Delhi increased tenfold compared to usual levels, according to data from Qunar cited by The Paper. Most inquiries originated from Hong Kong, with tickets—including taxes—averaging around CNY862 (about USD120).
Meanwhile, India has also eased its business visa requirements for Chinese travelers. Data from Trip.com’s visa platform shows a 63 percent increase in the number of business visas issued so far this year compared to the previous year.
India initially began issuing e-tourist visas to Chinese visitors in July 2015 and introduced a five-year, multiple-entry visa option in October 2019. However, all foreign arrivals were suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While India gradually reopened its borders in October 2021, Chinese tourists were still unable to visit during that period.
Before the pandemic, several airlines regularly operated direct flights connecting Chinese cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou with Indian hubs such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. These routes have not yet resumed.
[Note: The mention of the original editor has been omitted to ensure a more natural, human-toned rewrite.]
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