India Introduces New E-B-4 Visa Category for Chinese Nationals

January 9, 2026 4:18 am

India Introduces New E-B-4 Visa Category for Chinese Nationals

India has launched the E-B-4 visa, a significant initiative designed to facilitate business travel for Chinese nationals. This development aims to streamline processes tied to manufacturing and investment in the Indian market. By moving the application process online, India enhances efficiency, reducing the need for time-consuming embassy visits.

The new visa category shows a commitment to fostering business relations and simplifying operational challenges for foreign professionals.

Overview: The E-B-4 Visa

The E-B-4 visa, also known as the Production Investment Business Visa, permits foreign experts to initiate and manage industrial and manufacturing projects in India. Notably, this visa encourages hands-on work rather than mere participation in meetings or trade shows. Essential activities covered by the visa include:

Installing and commissioning machinery
Designing plants and factories
Providing production and manufacturing support
Developing supply chains
Offering technical training for Indian personnel

The visa allows successful applicants to stay in India for up to six months at a time. Faster processing times also enhance its appeal, with approvals typically completed within 45 to 50 days.

Who Can Apply for the E-B-4 Visa?

This new visa is exclusively available to Chinese nationals who receive invitations from registered Indian companies. Eligible Indian firms must complete specific steps to facilitate the application:

Register on the National Single Window System (NSWS)
Generate a digital sponsorship letter through the portal

Following these steps, applicants can submit their visa applications entirely online. This streamlined approach eliminates the need for multiple approvals from different ministries, greatly reducing previous obstacles faced by companies.

Why This Visa Matters Now

Indian manufacturers have encountered significant challenges due to delays in securing visas for Chinese technical experts. Research from the Observer Research Foundation estimates that these delays resulted in production losses of approximately $15 billion over four years, primarily affecting sectors such as electronics.

With many Indian manufacturing facilities reliant on Chinese machinery, delays can immobilize operations, leading to missed deadlines. The introduction of the E-B-4 visa directly tackles this pressing issue.

Which Companies Benefit the Most?

Large Chinese corporations with operations in India will find this visa particularly beneficial. Companies such as Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and BYD have experienced repeated delays in getting their technical teams into India. This can hinder production and training efforts. Additionally, industries like solar manufacturing, heavily dependent on Chinese equipment, are expected to see significant advantages as a result of this new visa.

How to Apply For the E-B-4 Visa

The application process for the E-B-4 visa is straightforward and consists of the following steps:

The Indian company registers on the NSWS portal.
The firm generates the required sponsorship letter online.
The Chinese applicant submits the E-B-4 visa application through the online system.
Submitted documents are reviewed digitally.
A decision regarding the visa application is made within approximately 45 to 50 days.
Throughout this process, no visits to the embassy are necessary.

Conclusion

The E-B-4 visa represents a fundamental shift in how India approaches business travel for Chinese professionals. Aimed at bolstering production capabilities and reducing delays, this visa brings clarity and efficiency to what has often been a cumbersome process.

For both Indian industries and Chinese applicants, this new pathway optimizes performance and enhances collaboration, proving essential in maintaining robust supply chains amid global challenges. In essence, this initiative focuses on practical solutions that prioritize productivity over bureaucracy.