India Eases Business Visa Rules to Boost Manufacturing, Speed Entry of Foreign Technicians
India has overhauled its business visa regime to make it easier for foreign engineers and technicians to work in the country, a move expected to support domestic manufacturers that rely heavily on Chinese professionals for specialised services. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said it has launched a new digital platform allowing companies to generate sponsorship letters, simplified visa application forms, and removed the requirement for additional recommendations from concerned ministries.
The relaxed norms cover visas for factory installation, commissioning, maintenance and production activities. Indian firms, particularly in electronics and solar manufacturing, depend largely on Chinese professionals to operate and service imported machinery and to train local workers. The reforms follow reports that India has reduced red tape to speed up visas for Chinese professionals, signalling a gradual thaw in bilateral ties after New Delhi had virtually halted Chinese visits following the 2020 Himalayan border clashes.
The easing of restrictions comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China earlier this year—the first in seven years—where he met President Xi Jinping to discuss improving relations. Industry estimates suggest stricter visa scrutiny caused production losses of around $15 billion for Indian electronics manufacturers over four years. Companies such as Xiaomi, along with the solar sector, had flagged labour shortages as a key obstacle to expansion, a challenge the government hopes to address through the revised visa framework.
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