Indian businesses face rising Chinese visa rejection rates

Indian companies are experiencing significant difficulties securing Chinese business visas (M visas) for executives, engineers, and technical specialists. Reports indicate a sharp decline in approval rates, with some firms seeing rejection rates as high as 95 percent, whereas approvals were previously considered routine.

The visa restrictions are particularly impacting the electronics and automobile manufacturing sectors, which rely heavily on Chinese components, factory equipment, and technical support. Because technical issues often require in-person troubleshooting or equipment installation, the inability to travel poses a direct risk to production lines and supply chain stability.

In response to these challenges, some businesses are relocating meetings to third countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. There are growing concerns regarding the upcoming Canton Fair in Guangzhou, as the difficulty in obtaining visas may hinder participation in the event.