Scores of Indian students still wait for visas to rejoin courses in China

After a long wait, finally, China has granted visas to nearly 1,300 Indian students and nearly 300 businesspeople in recent weeks, but as many as 20K students still waiting to rejoin courses in China.

China granted visas to 1,300 Indian students and nearly 300 businesspeople in recent weeks after multiple requests from India in the past. However, there are still thousands of Indian students who are waiting for getting visas.

As per reports, at least 20,000 more Indian students are waiting to resume their courses at Chinese institutions. Liu Jinsong, director general of the Asia department of China’s foreign ministry said, "More than 1,300 Indian students had been granted visas, while nearly 300 businessmen, in two batches, took charter flights operated by Chinese airlines to Yiwu city in Zhejiang province."

Liu told Indian ambassador Pradeep Rawat at a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday about “recent progress” in people-to-people exchanges. The two sides had a “frank and friendly exchange” on China-India relations, the global and regional situation and issues of common concern, said a readout from China’s foreign ministry, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Hurdles continue for Indian students looking to go back to China

One of the main issues is there is no direct flight allowed between China and India, and Indians are returning via Hong Kong or through third countries and the high ticket prices on these routes continue to be an issue. Also, there are long quarantine periods once they return to China, only 100 Indian students returned to China over the past few months.

While many students want to go back, their applications to return are currently with their universities and reportedly the issue is being handled by Chinese educational institutions.

Read more:

• Visa rules eased by China to let in Indian students after 2 years
• NMC releases FAQs on Foreign Medical Graduates from Ukraine and China