India Introduces New e-Business Visa for Chinese Nationals

India has launched a new electronic business visa category to simplify and regulate business travel for Chinese nationals. The e Production Investment Business Visa, called the e-B-4 Visa, aims to support legitimate business activities and respond to rising demand for structured business engagement between India and China.

Why in the News?

India has introduced the e-B-4 Visa for Chinese business travellers. The move is intended to ease travel for investment and production-related activities while supporting gradual normalization of India–China people-centric exchanges.

What is the e-B-4 Visa?

The e-B-4 Visa is a new electronic business visa introduced by India for Chinese nationals. It can be applied for entirely online without visiting the embassy. The visa is designed specifically for production, investment, and technical business activities rather than general commercial visits.

Key Features of the New Visa

• The e-B-4 Visa is issued within approximately 45–50 days.
• It allows a stay in India for up to six months.
• The visa is meant for clearly defined purposes such as installation, commissioning, training, quality checks, IT systems setup, and senior management visits, ensuring controlled and purpose-driven entry.

Permitted Business Activities

• The visa covers installation and commissioning of equipment, production and plant setup, IT and ERP ramp-up, training of staff, supply chain development, vendor empanelment, essential maintenance, and visits by senior executives.
• This structure supports industrial cooperation while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Application Process and Platforms

• Applicants can apply online through the Indian e-Visa portal managed by the Bureau of Immigration.
• Indian companies inviting Chinese nationals can also register through the DPIIT’s National Single Window System (NSWS), ensuring transparency and coordination with government authorities.

Key Summary at a Glance

Question

Q. What is the maximum permitted stay under India’s e-B-4 Visa?

A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. Six months
D. One year