India To Resume Issuing Tourist Visas For Chinese Citizens From 24 July After Five-Year Suspension

India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals starting 24 July 2025.

The decision marks the end of a five-year suspension that followed heightened diplomatic tensions after the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020.

The Indian Embassy in China announced the development on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, stating, “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 on the web link and print it, and then make an appointment on the web link. Then they must take a passport, visa application form and other related documents to submit an application at the Indian Visa Application Center.”

The Global Times shared the news on X stating Chinese citizens will now be able to submit applications in person at designated Indian Visa Application Centres in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

The decision comes amid cautious attempts to normalise bilateral relations strained by the violent confrontation in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in June 2020, which left soldiers dead on both sides.

The incident had far-reaching repercussions.

India imposed restrictions on Chinese investments, banned over 200 Chinese mobile applications, and halted key passenger services and travel routes.

While the initial visa suspension in 2020 was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, it continued even after most global travel resumed.

In April 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) informed airlines that tourist visas for Chinese citizens remained invalid, signalling India’s firm stance amid border tensions.

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