China: Student visas for Indians to be resumed after over two years
As per the announcement, Students, including those who have just started classes, who want to travel to China to pursue long-term academic studies will be given an X1-Visa.
Beijing: On Monday, China revealed plans to grant hundreds of Indian student visas who have been stuck at home for more than two years as a result of Beijing’s tough COVID regulations. In addition, China will grant Indians various types of travel authorizations, including business visas.
“Warmest congrats to #Indian #students! Your patience proves worthwhile. I can really share your excitement & happiness. Welcome back to #China!” Ji Rong, Counselor, Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China tweeted.
Tweet :
Her tweet referenced a detailed announcement by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi announcing the opening of visas for students, businesspeople, and family members of those employed in China.
Announcement for new & returning students
According to the announcement, X1-Visas will be given to students, including freshly enrolled students and students who return to China to continue their studies, and who intend to travel to China to pursue long-term study for higher academic education.
According to reports, around 23,000 Indian students, most of whom are studying medical, are stuck here because of COVID visa restrictions.
China sought the names of students who wanted to return right away to continue their studies, and India responded with a list of several hundred students.
Several students from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Russia, and other nations have already arrived on chartered aircraft in recent weeks.
According to a Monday announcement published on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, both new students and returning students who were unable to travel to China due to COVID visa prohibitions will be granted student visas.
Older students must submit a “Certificate of Returning to Campus” issued by a university in China, while new students must show the original admission letter from the university in China.
Resumption of visa
According to official sources, over 1,000 old Indian students reportedly expressed a desire to return to resume their studies. It remains to be seen if the universities processing their requests would grant the certificates needed for them to apply for visas.
The re-continuation of student visa issuing represents an important step toward enabling the return of thousands of Indian students, the majority of whom are enrolled in medical schools and have been waiting for more than two years to resume their studies and take the practical training necessary to graduate.
There are still some obstacles, though. Obtaining a “certificate of returning to campus,” which is necessary for visa applications, is one hurdle for returning students. Due to the regional pandemic scenario in their provinces, some colleges in China are choosing not to distribute the letters.
Absence of direct flights
The absence of direct flights between the two nations was a major issue as well.
A chartered flight engaged by Indian businessmen and their families recently made its arrival in the Chinese city of Hangzhou for the first time in over two years.
China had granted family members of Indian professionals working there permission in July. A few of them traveled via routes in foreign countries, spending far more than the going rate for tickets.
According to officials from China and India, negotiations to restart flight operations are ongoing. The C-Visa awarded to crew members was among the categories of visas that the Chinese embassy in India notified on Monday.
Other visa categories
Other visa categories mentioned by the embassy included M-Visas, which are issued to those planning to travel to China for business or trade purposes, F-Visas, which are issued to those planning to travel to China for exchanges, visits, study tours, and other non-commercial purposes, and Z-Visas, which are issued to those planning to work in China.
Visas for the dependents of people who are employed in China were among the other categories of permits.
Source : Press Trust Of India
What Is a Visa?
A visa is an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country. The visa is usually stamped or glued into the bearer’s passport. There are several different types of visas, each of which afford the bearer different rights in the host country.
