India has announced the resumption of tourist visa applications for Chinese citizens, effective July 24, 2025. This marks the first time in five years that Chinese nationals can apply for tourist visas to India, following the suspension of the service in February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Embassy of India in China made the announcement via its official Sina Weibo account, stating that Chinese applicants must complete an online application, schedule an appointment, and submit their passport and supporting documents in person at one of the three designated Indian visa application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou.
Welcoming the development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the move as a “positive step,” noting that easing cross-border travel benefits both countries. He added that China would continue to communicate with India to facilitate further mutual travel.
Experts view India’s decision as a key milestone in the gradual thawing of bilateral relations, which had cooled significantly following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Travel restrictions had remained in place despite China resuming visa issuance for Indian students and business travelers.
Relations between the two Asian powers have shown signs of improvement in recent months. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited China on July 14–15, his first official visit since the border tensions. The two countries have also discussed the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which was suspended during the pandemic.
This reopening of tourist visa services is seen as a step toward rebuilding people-to-people exchanges and normalising diplomatic engagement between India and China.