India Resumes Tourist Visas for Chinese Nationals Starting July 24, 2025

A Major Step Toward Normalizing India-China Travel Ties

In a landmark diplomatic move, the Indian Embassy in Beijing has officially confirmed the resumption of tourist visa services for Chinese nationals starting July 24, 2025. This long-awaited reopening follows a five-year suspension due to geopolitical tensions and the COVID-19 crisis. The announcement was made via Chinese platform Weibo, sparking widespread attention across Asia’s travel sector.

For B2B travel agents, consolidators, and corporate planners, this development reopens vital corridors for tourism, business, and religious travel between two of Asia’s largest markets.

Why Was the Ban Imposed in 2020?

The halt in tourist visas dates back to early 2020, when India suspended all tourist entries amid the global pandemic. However, while other nations saw lifted restrictions over time, Chinese citizens continued to face entry restrictions owing to heightened bilateral tensions—particularly after the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020.

India's further actions included:

• April 2022: Cancellation of all valid Chinese tourist visas

• Digital Restrictions: Ban on 100+ Chinese apps

• Airspace & Investment Blocks: Suspension of direct flights and curbs on Chinese FDI

• Educational Friction: Delayed return of 22,000 Indian students to Chinese universities

These issues left people-to-people exchanges nearly frozen for five years—until now.

Tourist Visa Process for Chinese Citizens – July 2025 Update

The Indian Embassy has outlined a streamlined application process designed for transparency and security:

• Online Application: Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in, fill in the tourist visa form, and print it.

• Appointment Scheduling: Book an appointment online for in-person submission.

• Visit the Visa Centre in Person: Submit the completed form and documents at one of the Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in:

  • Beijing

  • Shanghai

  • Guangzhou

Biometric capture and document verification will be conducted on-site for every applicant.

To apply for an Indian visa, applicants must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months. They are required to complete the visa application form online and submit a printed copy. A photocopy of both sides of their Chinese ID card must be attached, along with a recent passport-size photograph that meets the official visa guidelines. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of travel, such as a confirmed return or onward flight ticket. Financial proof showing a bank balance of at least RMB 100,000 or an official financial guarantee is necessary, along with a signed travel itinerary outlining clear travel dates and destinations within India. Lastly, a financial undertaking must be submitted to confirm the applicant has sufficient funds to cover all expenses during their stay in India.

Note: All documents must be physically submitted. No incomplete applications will be accepted. Processing takes approximately 3 working days post-submission.

What This Means for the Travel & Aviation Industry

The visa resumption coincides with key developments indicating improving India–China ties:

• Resumption of Direct Flights between New Delhi and Beijing

• Pilgrimage Corridor Talks: Plans to reopen routes to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

• Increased tourism and trade dialogues have been initiated since Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s Beijing visit in January 2025

These steps signal a reboot of bilateral mobility, creating fresh demand for visa services, packaged tours, and cross-border bookings.

Opportunity for Indian B2B Travel Operators

As China’s outbound tourism gears up for a strong rebound in 2025, India’s strategic move unlocks:

• High-value tourist segments from China are interested in wellness, heritage, and spiritual circuits

• Potential group and MICE travel packages involving Buddhist, yoga, and Ayurveda destinations

• New routes and inventory demand for DMCs, hotels, and airline partners catering to inbound Chinese traffic

For consolidators and OTAs, this is the moment to refresh product portfolios, reconnect with Chinese partners, and scale up multilingual support for group bookings.

Final Takeaway for B2B Travel Professionals

India’s decision to reinstate tourist visas for Chinese nationals isn’t just a policy shift—it’s a critical restart for inbound tourism flows, cross-border business travel, and people-to-people engagement.

Whether you’re a travel agency, airline, consolidator, or hotelier, now’s the time to update your visa advisory content, prepare inbound packages, and activate China-focused marketing.

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