After a gap of five years, India will once again start issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens from July 24, the Indian Embassy in Beijing announced on Wednesday.
India had stopped issuing all tourist visas in 2020 as a safety measure during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, with conditions improving, Chinese tourists can apply for a visa by completing an online form, booking an appointment, and personally submitting their passport and other necessary documents at Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
“Please be informed that all passport withdrawal requests for applications submitted in India Visa Application Center in Beijing must be accompanied by a passport withdrawal letter,” the embassy stated.
Over the past few years, travel between India and China was heavily impacted due to Covid and rising tensions following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. While China later resumed visas for Indian students and businesspeople, tourist travel stayed on hold.
Both countries have recently taken steps to improve their strained relationship. After holding several diplomatic and military talks, troops from both sides pulled back from key points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
India and China are also planning to restart direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this year. In April, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, “India and China are moving towards a positive direction,” and more efforts are needed to fully normalise ties.
