China Tightens Business Visas for Indian Technical Specialists

The Government of China has significantly tightened the issuance of business visas for Indian executives, engineers, and technical specialists. Rejection rates have surged, with some electronics contract manufacturers reporting losses as high as 95%, while other firms see approval rates drop to between 20% and 40%.

These restrictions are disrupting operations for Indian companies that rely on Chinese suppliers for capital goods and components. In response, Indian and Chinese firms are relocating critical business meetings and trade events to alternative hubs, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. One leading Chinese smartphone company moved a meeting from Shenzhen to Thailand after Indian attendees were unable to secure visas for over two months, and Realme is considering a similar shift for its festive-season trade event.

The diplomatic friction follows years of strained relations stemming from the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and subsequent Indian restrictions on Chinese investments and visas. Further tightening is expected on September 15, when China implements State Council Decree No. 841, which introduces stricter compliance and enforcement for exit and entry administration.