China has announced to lift its two-year visa ban on Indian students and professionals following the strict restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to reports.

The Chinese Embassy in India updated its COVID-19 visa policy on Monday inviting visa applications of foreign nationals and their accompanying family members seeking to go to China for resumption of work in all fields, PTI news agency reported.

Apart from that, the Chinese Embassy is also processing visa requests of thousands of Indian students who have been requesting to let them re-join the universities after they had to leave amidst the pandemic.

There are an estimated 23,000 Indian students, mostly studying medicine, pursuing their studies in Chinese universities. &nbsp;Over 12,000 Indian students have reportedly expressed their wish to return and their details have been forwarded to the Chinese government for processing.

Though China gradually permitted students from friendly countries such as Pakistan, Thailand, the Solomon Islands, and, most recently, Sri Lanka, to return, it remained silent on allowing Indian students and family members of Indians working in China.

The turnaround from China might have come after a number of Indian professionals based in China urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last month to press Beijing to allow their stranded families to return.

However, visas for tourism and private purposes remain suspended, the Chinese Embassy announcement said.

China is yet to announce criteria to permit students to return as Beijing is reportedly reluctant to allow such large number of people at once in the wake of recent Covid spike.

While opening visa services to Indians, China is also yet to announce plans to open flight facilities between the two countries.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China has announced to lift its two-year visa ban on Indian students and professionals following the strict restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to reports.

China has announced to lift its two-year visa ban on Indian students and professionals following the strict restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to reports. The Chinese Embassy in India updated its COVID-19 visa policy on Monday inviting visa applications of foreign nationals and their accompanying family members seeking to go to China for resumption of work in all fields, PTI news agency reported. Apart from that, the Chinese Embassy is also processing visa requests of thousands of Indian students who have been requesting to let them re-join the universities after they had to leave amidst the pandemic. There are an estimated 23,000 Indian students, mostly studying medicine, pursuing their studies in Chinese universities. Over 12,000 Indian students have reportedly expressed their wish to return and their details have been forwarded to the Chinese government for processing. Though China gradually permitted students from friendly countries such as Pakistan, Thailand, the Solomon Islands, and, most recently, Sri Lanka, to return, it remained silent on allowing Indian students and family members of Indians working in China. The turnaround from China might have come after a number of Indian professionals based in China urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last month to press Beijing to allow their stranded families to return. However, visas for tourism and private purposes remain suspended, the Chinese Embassy announcement said. China is yet to announce criteria to permit students to return as Beijing is reportedly reluctant to allow such large number of people at once in the wake of recent Covid spike. While opening visa services to Indians, China is also yet to announce plans to open flight facilities between the two countries. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

COVID-19: China removes 2-year visa restrictions on Indians

India has suspended tourist visas for nationals of China in the aftermath of Beijing's reluctance to allow the return of Indians stuck at home since the lockdowns and restrictions started due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.&nbsp;

India-based news agency PTI reported that global airlines body IATA told its member carriers on April 20 about the suspension of tourist visas issued to Chinese nationals.&nbsp;

Important to note that thousands of Indians including more than 23,000 students have been stuck in India since 2020 as the visa process as well as flights from India were suspended by Beijing due to the Covid situation.&nbsp;

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The news agency mentioned that in its latest update on April, global air transport body IATA said that tourist visas issued to nationals of China were no longer valid.&nbsp;

However, the report also stated that the Indian government is still giving business, employment, diplomatic and official visas to Chinese nationals.&nbsp;

As quoted by the news agencies, IATA's circular issued on April 20 regarding India noted: "Tourist visas issued to nationals of China (People's Republic) are no longer valid."&nbsp;

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India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had taken up the issue with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in March when the latter visited India.&nbsp;

In February, Beijing had promised the Indian Embassy to work for the early return of the Indian students and assured that they will no discrimination in any manner as their resumption of studies.&nbsp;

WATCH | UK based study triggers health concerns, experts research COVID's long-term impact

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

India has suspended tourist visas for nationals of China in the aftermath of Beijing's reluctance to allow the return of Indians stuck at home since the lockdowns and restrictions started due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

India has suspended tourist visas for nationals of China in the aftermath of Beijing's reluctance to allow the return of Indians stuck at home since the lockdowns and restrictions started due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. India-based news agency PTI reported that global airlines body IATA told its member carriers on April 20 about the suspension of tourist visas issued to Chinese nationals. Important to note that thousands of Indians including more than 23,000 students have been stuck in India since 2020 as the visa process as well as flights from India were suspended by Beijing due to the Covid situation. ALSO READ | Child dies of acute hepatitis as 12 countries report increase in cases The news agency mentioned that in its latest update on April, global air transport body IATA said that tourist visas issued to nationals of China were no longer valid. However, the report also stated that the Indian government is still giving business, employment, diplomatic and official visas to Chinese nationals. As quoted by the news agencies, IATA's circular issued on April 20 regarding India noted: "Tourist visas issued to nationals of China (People's Republic) are no longer valid." ALSO READ | Ten people from missing Japanese boat confirmed dead - Coast guard India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had taken up the issue with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in March when the latter visited India. In February, Beijing had promised the Indian Embassy to work for the early return of the Indian students and assured that they will no discrimination in any manner as their resumption of studies. WATCH | UK based study triggers health concerns, experts research COVID's long-term impact × (With inputs from agencies)

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COVID-19: China removes 2-year visa restrictions on Indians

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