Centre makes visa rules stricter for Chinese Nationals

The Indian government has introduced stricter visa norms for the Chinese Nationals. These norms will bring the Chinese on a par with Prior Referral Category countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

The Home Ministry in its latest guidelines for the grant of business visas has introduced ‘specific provisions for the Chinese Nationals’, which includes reporting to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

The latest directions by the Home Ministry are part of India’s overhaul of visa regulations in the wake of travel restrictions due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic.

Home Ministry guidelines for Chinese business visa holders:

The Home Ministry, in its 72-page guidelines, has laid down the conditions for the grant of medical, employment, student, and research visas and stated that all the Chinese business visa holders are required to register themselves with the FRRO if their stay exceeds 180 days in a calendar year.

As per the Home Ministry, Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) has been authorized to extend the business visas for the Chinese Nationals, depending on the case-to-case basis and on merit.

Three categories under which business visas can be granted Chinese:

• Indian missions abroad will be able to recommend a six-month, multiple-entry B-visa to the Chinese Nationals producing letters of invitation from a recognized Indian Organization, provided that the duration of the stay is less than 90 days on each visit.

• The second category is of a 60-days, single-entry-visa for the Chinese nationals who will not be able to produce an invitation letter from a recognized Indian organization but has a letter from a duly authorized Chinese organization.

• The third category is a short-term, single entry, B-Visa not exceeding 60-days for the Chinese Nationals who will not be able to produce any documentary proof and cleared by Indian missions abroad.

Directions on multiple tourist visas:

• China is among the 33 countries that have been named by India with Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan, among others, whose nationals cannot be granted multiple-entry tourist visas for a 5-year period as a default option.

• For China and Bangladesh, provisions as available in the bilateral agreement, policy guidelines, as issued from time to time will be applicable.

• There shall also be a gap of at least 2 months between two visits to India on a tourist visa in respect of nationals of China, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq, foreigners of Pakistan origin, and stateless persons.