India-China Visa Services Across China

In a major development strengthening India-China diplomatic ties, BLS International Services Ltd has been awarded a three-year contract by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish and operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China.

Effective from October 14, 2025, the contract authorises BLS International to manage India-China Visa Services in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, three of China’s most significant cities for business, tourism, and trade. This move comes after India resumed tourist visa issuance for Chinese nationals in July 2025, following a prolonged suspension.

Details of the BLS International MEA Contract

The agreement, valid for three years, gives BLS International the responsibility to build and operate Indian visa application centres in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. These centres are designed to deliver user-friendly, technology-driven India-China visa services to applicants.

Key features include:

• Enhanced infrastructure for smooth operations

• Advanced technology systems for faster processing

• Multi-lingual staff to cater to local applicants

These centres aim to ensure efficient and seamless India-China visa services, aligning with international service standards.

Strategic Locations of IVACs in China

The three cities selected for the Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) are:

1. Beijing – China’s capital and political hub, crucial for diplomatic exchanges

2. Shanghai – The economic and financial centre, important for business visas

3. Guangzhou – A major trade gateway in southern China, key for commercial and travel visas

Setting up centres in these cities will help streamline the India visa application process for Chinese nationals and enhance visa services for Chinese nationals, strengthening India-China Visa Services.

Background: Resumption of Tourist Visas

India had suspended tourist visas for Chinese nationals in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even after pandemic restrictions eased, visa issuance remained limited because of strained bilateral relations following the Galwan Valley clashes in eastern Ladakh in 2020.

In July 2025, India announced the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals, marking a significant step in reviving cultural, academic, and commercial exchanges. This also signals India’s willingness to engage with China diplomatically while managing ongoing border concerns.

Significance of the Move

For India-China Relations

The launch of IVACs under BLS International’s management is a strategic diplomatic initiative. Easy access to India-China visa services promotes:

• Tourism and travel exchanges

• Business collaborations

• Educational and cultural interactions

• Strengthening people-to-people ties

Visa facilitation serves as a key tool in international diplomacy, helping build trust and engagement between the two nations.

For BLS International

Winning this contract is a major milestone for BLS International, a global provider of visa outsourcing and tech-enabled citizen services. The firm already manages visa services for several governments worldwide, and this project will enhance its role in India-China visa processing.

Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International, stated that the project will play a “vital role in facilitating reliable and user-centric India-China Visa Services”, helping streamline the India visa application process for Chinese nationals.

How These Centres Will Operate

The IVACs will focus on providing seamless and efficient services, including:

• Guidance on how to apply for an Indian visa from China

• Step-by-step assistance for India - China Visa Services

• Processing of tourist visas, travel visas, and other categories of Indian visas

• Technology-enabled updates to track visa status

This will help applicants save time and reduce bureaucratic hurdles while ensuring a smooth India-China Visa Services experience.

Key Takeaways for SSC Aspirants

1. BLS International awarded MEA contract for 3 years, effective October 14, 2025

2. Indian Visa Application Centres to be established in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou

3. Resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals since July 2025

4. Centres will use advanced technology, multilingual staff, and infrastructure for efficient India - China Visa Services

5. Important keywords for current affairs and SSC exams: India-China Visa Services, India visa application process, BLS International visa services, China tourist visa for Indians, India-China visa processing

For students preparing for SSC exams, knowing such current affairs related to India-China relations and visa policies is crucial. Questions related to bilateral ties, MEA contracts, and visa services are often asked in General Awareness sections.

Final Thoughts

In a significant step to strengthen India-China diplomatic ties, BLS International Services Ltd has won a three-year contract from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

Effective from October 14, 2025, these centres will provide technology-driven India-China visa services with enhanced infrastructure and multilingual staff, ensuring a smooth India visa application process.

The move follows the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals in July 2025 and highlights India’s effort to boost tourism, business, and cultural exchanges with China.