The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has simplified India’s business-visa procedures, launching an online platform that lets companies auto-generate sponsorship letters and scrapping multiple inter-ministerial clearances. The change, announced on 18 December, primarily benefits manufacturers that rely on short-term Chinese experts to install and service equipment.
Visa filings for Chinese nationals had ballooned to three-month processing times after the 2020 Galwan border clash triggered heightened scrutiny. Industry estimates pegged production losses at US $15 billion for electronics makers unable to bring in technical staff.
![India streamlines business-visa process, easing entry for Chinese engineers and technicians]()
Under the new rules, factory-installation, commissioning and maintenance specialists can obtain visas in as little as ten days, provided sponsoring companies upload contracts and certify that no qualified Indian worker is immediately available. The Ministry of External Affairs has also instructed missions in Beijing and Shanghai to prioritise B-category technical visas during the December-March maintenance season.
Global-mobility programmes should update their China-to-India assignment playbooks: the requirement for Ministry of Home Affairs security clearance is now waived for stays under 90 days, but firms must retain payroll records and exit documents for audit. Analysts expect the move to help India close supply-chain gaps in semiconductors, solar panels and consumer electronics.
China, for its part, confirmed it will reopen tourist and business visa processing for Indian nationals from 22 December, hinting at a gradual thaw in travel restrictions on both sides.
Visa filings for Chinese nationals had ballooned to three-month processing times after the 2020 Galwan border clash triggered heightened scrutiny. Industry estimates pegged production losses at US $15 billion for electronics makers unable to bring in technical staff.
Under the new rules, factory-installation, commissioning and maintenance specialists can obtain visas in as little as ten days, provided sponsoring companies upload contracts and certify that no qualified Indian worker is immediately available. The Ministry of External Affairs has also instructed missions in Beijing and Shanghai to prioritise B-category technical visas during the December-March maintenance season.
Global-mobility programmes should update their China-to-India assignment playbooks: the requirement for Ministry of Home Affairs security clearance is now waived for stays under 90 days, but firms must retain payroll records and exit documents for audit. Analysts expect the move to help India close supply-chain gaps in semiconductors, solar panels and consumer electronics.
China, for its part, confirmed it will reopen tourist and business visa processing for Indian nationals from 22 December, hinting at a gradual thaw in travel restrictions on both sides.
Source: Business Standard
