India has reformed its business visa regime to facilitate the entry of foreign engineers and technicians, particularly from China, providing a boost to local firms reliant on skilled Chinese professionals for manufacturing and technical services.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade announced that a new digital platform, launched last month, allows companies to generate sponsorship letters for foreign professionals, simplifying visa forms and eliminating the need for additional recommendations from relevant ministries.
The visa changes cover activities such as factory installation, commissioning, maintenance, production, and other technical functions. Indian businesses often depend on Chinese experts to operate and maintain machinery, as well as to train local staff, especially in factories using Chinese equipment. The streamlined process is expected to accelerate business operations and reduce delays caused by prior stringent visa protocols.
Since mid-2020, India had restricted Chinese visits following a border clash with China, with extensive vetting requirements imposed through the home and foreign ministries.
The easing of visa restrictions comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China earlier this year, where he met President Xi Jinping to discuss improving bilateral ties. The move is part of India’s cautious strategy to rekindle relations with Beijing while balancing geopolitical and trade considerations.
The Observer Research Foundation estimates that previous visa restrictions caused production losses of around $15 billion over four years for Indian electronics manufacturers, many of whom rely on Chinese machinery.
Companies such as Xiaomi and other major Chinese electronics firms faced delays in obtaining visas, affecting expansion plans, while the solar industry also experienced skilled labour shortages.
The visa reforms are expected to support industrial growth, reduce operational bottlenecks, and ensure a steady flow of expertise from Chinese professionals to Indian manufacturing hubs, benefiting both sectors.
