China Announces Plans To Issue Visas For Stranded Indian Students After Two-Year Covid Hiatus

China started the process of visa application for Indian citizens stranded in India for over two years following the strict visa restrictions imposed by Beijing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arriving passengers wearing face masks as prevention for the virus outbreak, push trolleys with their luggage (Source: AFP)

New Delhi: In a big relief for hundreds of Indian students and their families who are stuck back home since 2020, China on Monday has announced Indian students will, starting August 24, be able to apply for visas to return to resume their studies, more than two years into the pandemic. China started the process of visa application for Indian citizens stranded in India for over two years following the strict visa restrictions imposed by Beijing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Warmest congrats to #Indian #students! Your patience proves worthwhile. I can really share your excitement & happiness. Welcome back to #China!" Ji Rong, Counsellor, Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China tweeted.

Warmest congrats to #Indian #students! Your patience proves worthwhile. I can really share your excitement & happiness. Welcome back to #China!🌹https://t.co/DKVdjVmQWP pic.twitter.com/ZHIQwIJaU1

— Ji Rong嵇蓉 (@JiRongMFA) August 22, 2022

Her tweet referred to a point-by-point declaration by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi reporting the launch of visas for students, businessmen and families of those working in China.

According to the declaration, X1-Visa will be given to students who plan to go to China to seek after long haul study for higher academic education, including newly-enrolled students who return to China to continue their studies.

More than 23,000 Indian students, mostly studying medicine, are allegedly adhered back home because of COVID visa limitations.

India had presented a list of several hundred students after China looked for the names of those needing to return promptly to pursue their studies.

Monday's declaration posted on the site of the Chinese Embassy in Delhi said student visas will be given to the newly-enrolled students and the old students who couldn't travel to China due to COVID visa bans.

During the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India in March, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar discussed starting the visa.

China agreed to allow some Indian students to return after Jaishankar's personal intervention. A list of students returning to China was also made available. According to Prasar Bharati, the issue of the return of Indian students is being handled differently. 

For the last two years, the Indian Embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs have been continuously raising the issue of the return of Indian nationals, including students, with the Chinese authorities.

The Indian government also took a tough stand on China not providing visas to students. In April, the government suspended the tourist visas of Chinese citizens. 

According to a report, there are about 22,000 Indian students in the Chinese university. But due to the non-availability of visas, studies were stopped. There have been frequent complaints that students and their families are suffering from mental stress and financial losses.