China eases visa rules for Indian travelers; have issued 50,000+ visas so far in 2025, ET TravelWorld

The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued over 50,000 visas to Indian citizens traveling to China this year, as of March 17, 2025. This comes as part of measures aimed at simplifying the visa process for Indian visitors.

Recent changes include the removal of mandatory online appointments, exemption from biometric data collection for short-term stays, and a reduction in visa fees. These steps are expected to facilitate travel between the two countries.

Encouraging more Indian visitors to explore China, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong stated, “While flowers blossom in spring, we welcome more Indian friends to visit China and get a first-hand experience of China in spring.”
China has introduced several measures to make the visa application process more convenient for Indian travelers:

• No Online Appointment Requirement: Indian applicants no longer need to book appointments in advance, allowing for a smoother and faster visa application process.
• Biometric Exemption for Short-Term Stays: Travelers visiting China for short durations are no longer required to provide biometric data, reducing processing time.
• Reduced Visa Fees: The cost of obtaining a Chinese visa has been lowered, making travel more affordable for Indian visitors.
• Faster Processing Times: The visa approval timeline has been streamlined to allow quicker issuance, benefiting both business and leisure travelers.
• Encouragement for Tourism: China has been actively promoting travel for Indian tourists, highlighting cultural and seasonal attractions, such as springtime festivals and scenic destinatio

Travel between India and China was significantly impacted in recent years due to pandemic-related restrictions and diplomatic tensions. Visa processing was halted for an extended period, and even after reopening, Indian travelers faced stricter entry requirements, including additional documentation, quarantine rules, and limited visa issuance.

While China resumed issuing visas to Indian students and business travelers in 2022, general travel remained restricted. The latest visa relaxations mark a shift towards easing travel barriers, potentially boosting tourism, business engagements, and academic exchanges between the two countries.