India to Resume Tourist Visas for Chinese Citizens After 5-Year Suspension

In a significant step towards restoring normalcy in India-China relations, the Indian government has announced the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese citizens. This move marks the first time in five years that Chinese nationals will be able to apply for tourist visas to India — a development seen as part of a broader effort to rebuild diplomatic and people-to-people ties between the two neighboring countries.

According to a report by Reuters, the visa services will officially resume on July 24, 2025. The Indian Embassy in Beijing confirmed this through a public statement shared on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The announcement was also highlighted by Chinese state-run media outlet The Global Times, signaling strong bilateral interest in the initiative.

What the Embassy Said
The Indian Embassy's statement read:

"From July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa to visit India. They must first fill out the visa application form online and print it. Next, they must book an appointment online and submit the form, passport, and other required documents at the Indian Visa Application Center."

This long-awaited move comes at a time when both countries are actively seeking to normalize relations following years of tensions triggered by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh, which resulted in the deaths of soldiers from both sides and a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties.
 

The Visa Freeze and the Backstory

India had initially suspended all tourist visas in 2020 as part of broader pandemic-related restrictions. However, relations with China took a specific hit in April 2022 when India decided not to reinstate tourist visa services for Chinese citizens even as it resumed them for other countries. This decision was widely interpreted as a retaliatory measure, especially after Beijing limited the re-entry of over 22,000 Indian students who had been studying in China before the pandemic.

That freeze is now finally coming to an end.
 

Signs of a Thaw in Bilateral Relations

The decision to reopen tourist visa access is not an isolated one. It follows a series of promising diplomatic developments between the two countries over recent months.

Earlier this year, both India and China withdrew troops from the Depsang and Demchok regions in eastern Ladakh — the last two remaining military standoff points from the 2020 conflict. This was widely seen as a breakthrough in stalled negotiations and a meaningful gesture towards de-escalation.

Another key milestone was the resumption of direct commercial flights between New Delhi and Beijing in January 2025, which had been suspended during the pandemic. The agreement was finalized during Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to China, further emphasizing that high-level diplomatic channels between the two nations are active and functional once again.

Additionally, the two countries have agreed to resume pilgrimage routes to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in western Tibet this year. This pilgrimage has historically been an important cultural and spiritual journey for many Indian citizens and had been suspended amid the diplomatic freeze.

The Latest Diplomatic Move: SCO Meeting

In the most recent development, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting. While the focus was multilateral, his visit was seen as another step toward improving bilateral dialogue and engagement.

Observers believe that the resumption of tourist visas and pilgrimage routes are efforts by both nations to restore trust and rebuild a base of mutual cooperation. These steps are also expected to have positive implications for business, education, and cultural exchange in the months ahead.

What This Means for Tourists

For Chinese citizens interested in exploring India’s rich culture and history, this decision opens up new travel possibilities after a long hiatus. Indian tourism stakeholders also welcome the move, as Chinese tourists have historically been among the top contributors to global tourism revenue.

Applications will now follow the standard process — filling the visa form online, securing an appointment, and submitting the necessary documents to designated Visa Application Centers. While there are no announcements yet about group tours or visa-on-arrival facilities, this reopening is likely to pave the way for further travel facilitation between the two countries.
 

Conclusion: A Step Towards Normalcy

The resumption of tourist visas to Chinese nationals is not just a bureaucratic change — it's a diplomatic signal. After years of strained relations, India and China are taking meaningful steps to rebuild bridges and foster greater cooperation. Though challenges remain, these developments show a mutual willingness to move forward.

With direct flights operational, visas reopening, and diplomatic meetings back on schedule, it seems India and China are slowly but steadily charting a new course — one marked by engagement, dialogue, and cautious optimism.