India Launches New E-B-4 Visa For Chinese Nationals

India has quietly rolled out a new e-B-4 visa for Chinese citizens, aimed at easing business travel linked to manufacturing, production, and investment projects.

The move signals a practical shift. Instead of long embassy visits and unclear timelines, the entire process now happens online. Applications opened on January 1 and are handled digitally, with no physical visit to the Indian embassy required.

At its core, this visa is about getting work done. And done faster.

What is the E-B-4 Visa?

The E-B-4 visa stands for Production Investment Business Visa. It allows foreign professionals to set up, manage, and support industrial and manufacturing projects in India.

This visa focuses on real, on-ground work, not meetings or trade events.

Activities covered include:

• Installing and commissioning machinery
• Plant and factory design
• Production and manufacturing support
• Supply chain development
• Technical training for Indian staff

The visa allows stays of up to six months per visit, and authorities usually process it within 45 to 50 days.

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

The e-B-4 visa is currently available to Chinese nationals invited by registered Indian companies. To apply, the Indian host company must:

Once this is done, the applicant can submit the visa application online.

No extra approvals are needed from multiple ministries. That alone removes one of the biggest pain points companies faced earlier.

Why This Visa Matters Now

Indian manufacturers have struggled in recent years due to visa delays for Chinese technical experts.

According to the Observer Research Foundation, visa bottlenecks led to an estimated $15 billion in production losses over four years, especially in electronics manufacturing.

Many Indian factories rely on Chinese machinery. When engineers understand that equipment cannot travel, machines sit idle, and deadlines slip.

This visa directly addresses that gap.

Which Companies Benefit the Most?

The change is especially important for large Chinese firms operating or investing in India, including:

These companies have faced repeated delays in getting technical staff into India, slowing production and training.

Sectors like solar manufacturing, which depend heavily on Chinese equipment and panels, are also expected to benefit.

How to Apply For the E-B-4 Visa

Here is how the process works, step by step:

1. The Indian company registers on the NSWS portal
2. The company generates a sponsorship letter online
3. The Chinese applicant submits the e-B-4 visa application online
4. Documents are reviewed digitally
5. A visa decision is issued in around 45–50 days

No embassy visit is required at any stage.

What This Means for Travellers and Businesses

This is not a tourist or short-term business visa. It is a work-focused entry route tied to production, factories, and technical operations.

For the Indian industry, it means fewer delays and faster project timelines.

While for Chinese professionals, it brings clarity: a defined purpose, a clear process, and a fixed timeline.

For both countries, this approach reflects a practical way to keep supply chains moving, even amid broader geopolitical tensions.

In simple terms, the e-B-4 visa is less about diplomacy and more about getting machines running and people trained.