The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced a streamlined, time-bound process for granting business visas to Chinese technicians involved in manufacturing projects. To be effective from August 1, the new guidelines aim to expedite visa approvals for nationals from China and other countries sharing land borders with India.
Once a company applies for an e-visa, according to the new regulations, the application will be forwarded to relevant government departments, including the Ministry of External Affairs and security agencies, for approval.
The responses (whether approval or rejection) will have to be sent to the home ministry within 28 days, having noted that the visa will have a validity of six months.
This initiative is anticipated to ease challenges faced by firms investing in 14 strategic sectors covered under the production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, the government’s flagship scheme designed to bolster manufacturing in India. Delays in visa-related matters have notably impacted sectors like solar photovoltaic modules, specialty steel, white goods, and electronics.
The PLI scheme encompasses a wide range of sectors, such as mobile phones, drones, white goods, telecommunications, textiles, automobiles, and pharmaceutical drugs.
The latest guidelines also aims to create a level playing field for companies establishing manufacturing units without seeking government subsidies under the PLI schemes.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.
