MeitY and Commerce push for easier visa norms for Chinese technicians

Two Union ministries, Electronics and Information Technology and Commerce and Industry are pushing for easier visa norms for entry of Chinese technicians. This move aims to address the delays faced by Chinese professionals who are crucial for setting up factories and machinery in India, particularly in sectors like electric vehicles (EVs) and battery manufacturing.

This comes after the domestic industry raised concerns that export orders were not being fulfilled due to delays in grant of visas. The department being aware of the concerns raised by the industry are therefore pushing for limited entry of Chinese technicians to resolve the issue.

This initiative comes in response to demands from various industries that rely on Chinese expertise for setting up manufacturing capabilities. The government has already begun easing restrictions for Chinese professionals in the EV sector, recognizing the need for their skills in manufacturing essential components like EV batteries​

Additionally, the government is considering broader liberalization of visa processes for Chinese technicians under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This includes creating a standard operating procedure (SOP) to expedite visa approvals for Chinese professionals needed to establish and enhance manufacturing capacity in India​.

These efforts reflect India's strategic aim to boost its manufacturing sector by ensuring that technical expertise is readily available, thereby facilitating smoother and faster project completions.