China-bound tourist visas authorized by India following a 5-year halt.
India has taken a significant step in its relationship with China by resuming the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals, five years after the suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strained diplomatic ties.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing announced the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese citizens, effective from July 24, 2025. This move is seen as a positive gesture that could pave the way for more sustained engagement between the two countries.
Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists made up about 3.1% of India's total foreign visitors, with many drawn to the famous Golden Triangle and the Taj Mahal. The resumption of visa services is expected to boost people-to-people contact and revive tourism ties between India and China.
The visa application process is outlined at visa centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Chinese citizens must fill out the visa application form online, make an appointment, and submit the application at the Indian Visa Application Center.
The resumption of tourist visas is part of efforts by both India and China to improve their bilateral relations. The recent decision ends a long-standing freeze on tourist visas that began in 2020 amid the pandemic and the subsequent deterioration in diplomatic relations caused by the border conflict.
The visa halt was also due to rising tensions and border disputes, followed by COVID-19 travel restrictions. In 2022, China began easing restrictions and allowed the return of certain categories of foreign travellers, but Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities were still unable to return for in-person classes.
The resumption of tourist visas is a symbolic but important gesture within a broader, cautious rapprochement. Both sides acknowledge that more work is required to fully normalize relations, particularly regarding border security and trust-building.
Diplomatic dialogue continues on multiple fronts as both nations take gradual steps toward normalizing exchanges in trade, tourism, and diplomacy. The recent resumption of tourist visa services for Chinese citizens is a significant step signaling India’s readiness to cautiously reopen lines of communication and travel with China, aiming to facilitate improved bilateral ties while managing ongoing geopolitical sensitivities.
The resumption of direct flight services between India and China is also expected to be agreed upon after the five-year suspension. This development could further boost people-to-people contact and economic interactions between the two countries.
In response, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a notice in April 2022 stating that all Indian tourist visas for Chinese nationals would be deemed invalid. The recent announcement by India to resume tourist visa services for Chinese citizens reverses this decision, opening the door for Chinese visitors to return and explore India's rich cultural and historical heritage.
Chinese officials welcomed the move, calling it positive and conducive to facilitating travel. This step follows external affairs dialogue, including India’s minister’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, where progress towards addressing border tensions was discussed.
The resumption of tourist visas is a positive development that could lead to a gradual normalization and increased people-to-people contact, improving mutual understanding and economic interactions. However, both sides acknowledge that more work is required to fully normalize relations, particularly regarding border security and trust-building. Thus, the visa resumption should be viewed as a symbolic but important gesture within a broader, cautious rapprochement.
Travelers from China may now anticipate renewed experiences of India's culture and landscapes, as the Indian Embassy in Beijing resumed the issuance of tourist visas for Chinese nationals on July 24, 2025. This revival of tourism ties between the nations could potentially stimulate lifestyle exchanges, thereby bridging the diplomatic gap and fostering increased understanding.
