E-Paper
Visa norms for Chinese simplified
The norms cut down the time taken for grant of visa to just two weeks and also facilitate the extension of stay in India.
The government on Monday announced streamlining of visa guidelines for Chinese businessmen and professionals following strong demand from Indian industry.
The measure would facilitate a relatively longer stay of Chinese business people, professionals and their dependents for bona fide purpose, an official release said.
"Business Visa of 60 days can be extended up to 180 days and the entry can be increased from single to multiple in India on merit," it said.
The announcement coincides with the visit of Chinese President Hu Jinato.
It also said that Employment Visa for Chinese nationals can now be extended in India up to five years on a yearly basis subject to no adverse activity and the foreigner continuing to keep his or her employment.
The guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry follows a meeting that RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani had with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Home Secretary VS Duggal, in which he is believed to have pressed for speedy clearance to a large number of Chinese technicians needed for expediting his ongoing refinery project in Gujarat.
The government had in October streamlined the procedure for grant of visa to Chinese nationals and modified extension of their stay in India to cut the delay in processing of applications for Indian visa.
It would now take roughly two weeks for grant of visa against three months earlier, sources said.
