Chinese officials have approved only 20-40% of business visa applications submitted by Indian companies in recent months, according to The Economic Times citing executives at electronics and automobile contract manufacturing firms. This represents a dramatic shift from the near-complete approval rates that Indian companies previously experienced. The tighter visa regime is creating fresh challenges for electronics and automobile companies that depend heavily on Chinese components, equipment and technical expertise.
The restrictions are beginning to affect routine business operations and project execution, particularly for companies that need to send personnel to China for manufacturing, sourcing, equipment installation and technical work. As reported by The Economic Times, depending on the industry, as much as 50% of components and capital goods are imported from China, making the visa restrictions particularly significant for Indian manufacturers.
Several companies have informally approached the Centre, urging the government to raise the issue with Beijing through diplomatic channels. According to The Economic Times, a person familiar with India-China ties confirmed that the government is aware of the visa issue. The person stated that "China will do everything in its power to obstruct India's rise and progress," describing the visa rejections as part of a broader coercion package.
"Getting a Chinese visa is no longer as seamless as it used to be," said the managing director of a large electronics manufacturing company, who requested anonymity. "The process is taking much longer, rejections require fresh applications, and even then, approvals for business visas have become extremely limited." The managing director noted that the process has become significantly more difficult and time-consuming than previously experienced by Indian companies.
