India To Resume Tourist Visas For Chinese Nationals From July 24: Report
India announces the resumption of Tourist Visas For Chinese nationals starting July 24, boosting travel ties and tourism recovery.
India To Resume Tourist Visas For Chinese Nationals Starting July 24: A Boost To Bilateral Tourism and Travel Sector Recovery
On July 24, 2025, India will resume Tourist Visas For Chinese nationals—a policy suspended for five years. This move aims to restore people-to-people ties and reflects a cautious thaw in India–China relations, which have been strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.
What’s Changing
India’s embassy in Beijing announced that starting July 24, Chinese citizens can once again apply for tourist visas by completing an online application, booking an appointment, and submitting their passport, visa form, and other documents at Indian Visa Application Centres in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Importantly, these tourist visas do not cover business travel—they’re strictly for leisure.
Why It Matters
At its height in 2019, India issued around 200,000 visas to Chinese nationals, but that number plummeted to about 2,000 in 2024. Resuming Tourist Visas For Chinese nationals signals renewed interest in cultural exchange and tourism, with potential economic benefits for India’s hospitality and travel sectors. The timing aligns with India’s reopening of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on June 30, marking coordinated steps to boost cross-border exchanges.
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Diplomatic Context
The visa resumption follows a series of diplomatic overtures, including high-level visits—most notably, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s July visit to China—and preparations for upcoming Secretary-level talks in India. India’s decision is also seen as a gesture of goodwill ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which both nations are expected to attend.
Chinese Response
Beijing welcomed the move. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson described it as “positive” and highlighted the benefits of easing cross-border travel. He emphasized that China is ready to maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two countries.
Border and Security Calculations
Despite the visa thaw, the broader border dispute persists. A recent Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) meeting reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control and set the stage for Special Representatives’ talks later this year. India has emphasized that troop de-escalation will be essential to fully normalize relations.
Economic and Tourism Gains
Chinese tourists contribute significantly to India’s tourism economy. The five-year suspension limited tourism to India, particularly at key heritage destinations like the Taj Mahal. Now, with visa options and potential restoration of direct flights on the agenda, Indian travel agencies are preparing for an upswing in Chinese arrivals.
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What Chinese Tourists Should Know
Applicants must:
Complete the online visa form
Schedule a biometric appointment at an Indian Visa Application Centre
Submit required documents in person in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou
Tourist visas do not permit business-related activities. Approval will be monitored to prevent misuse.
Looking Ahead
India’s decision to resume Tourist Visas For Chinese is part of broader confidence‑building efforts: resuming pilgrimages (Kailash Mansarovar), arranging direct commercial flights, and scheduling further diplomatic engagement. However, substantial progress on troop disengagement and border settlement will be necessary before full normalization.
Conclusion
Resuming tourist visas from July 24 marks a pivotal step in restoring connectivity between India and China. While the move invites renewed tourism and strengthens bilateral engagement, sustainable rapprochement hinges on resolving military tensions and expanding visa categories to cement people-to-people contact.
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