India to Reopen Tourist Visa Applications for Chinese Nationals After Five Years

Resumption of Tourist Visas

India is set to restart the issuance of tourist visas for Chinese citizens after a hiatus of five years, effective from July 24, 2025, as reported by the Indian embassy in Beijing.

The Chinese state media outlet, Global Times, highlighted a post from the Indian Embassy on Weibo, detailing the application process for Chinese nationals wishing to obtain a tourist visa.

Background of Visa Suspension

In February 2020, India halted all tourist visas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, China had also suspended visas for Indian citizens and other foreigners during this period, but these restrictions were lifted in 2022 for students and business travelers.

Tensions between India and China escalated in June 2020 following a violent confrontation in Ladakh's Galwan Valley, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, with China reporting four casualties.

Impact of Border Tensions

In response to the Galwan incident, India implemented various restrictions on China, including banning numerous popular Chinese applications and suspending passenger routes.

While China permitted students and business travelers to enter in 2022, Indian nationals were not allowed to apply for tourist visas until March of this year, when both nations agreed to resume direct air travel.

Diplomatic Efforts

Since the clashes, India and China have engaged in multiple rounds of military and diplomatic discussions to address their border disputes.

In October, both countries announced a patrolling arrangement along the Line of Actual Control, which facilitated the disengagement of their military forces in eastern Ladakh.

This agreement was reached just days before a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan, marking their first formal discussion since the military standoff began.

Future Prospects

In January, both nations agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this summer, restore direct flights, and ease visa restrictions following a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Beijing.

In July, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remarked on the improving relations between the two countries and emphasized the importance of continuing the normalization of bilateral ties.