Overview
- Effective December 22, Indian nationals can complete visa forms, upload documents and book biometrics online, with only one in-person visit required for fingerprinting.
- Applicants are instructed to submit passports at the Visa Application Centre only after receiving a confirmation email showing the status “online review completed.”
- The portal supports tourist (L), business (M), student (X) and work (Z) visas, with real-time tracking and INR fee payments via UnionPay reported by GBA/PTI.
- The rollout follows 2025 steps to restore limited links, including India’s resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals, the return of direct flights in October and the revival of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
- Officials and commentators note security vetting remains unchanged and describe the measure as pragmatic economic facilitation amid ongoing strategic tensions.