China on Monday, 22 August, announced its plans to issue visas to over 23,000 Indian students, who were stranded at home for over two years due to Beijing's strict COVID-19 restrictions.
In a tweet, Ji Rong, a counsellor in the Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "Warmest congrats to Indian students! Your patience proves worthwhile. I can really share your excitement and happiness. Welcome back to China."
So, who is eligible? What is the process? Here's all you need to know.
Who can apply?
The X1-Visa will be issued to students who intend to go to China for long-term higher education, including both newly enrolled students and those who return to China to resume their studies, the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi said in a statement.
What are the documents required?
Covering letter with details as follows: Place to visit, name, address, contact number, and email address of the university or entity of admission, etc.
For students who return to China to resume their studies: ‘Certificate of Returning to Campus’ issued by the university in China.
For newly enrolled students: Original‘Visa Application for Study in China’ and Original Admission Letter issued by a university in China.
When will flights between India and China resume?
Further, Indian and Chinese officials told news agency PTI that conversations to resume suspended direct flight operations between the two countries were also underway to facilitate the students' return.
Students from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Russia, and several other countries arrived in China on chartered flights in recent weeks.
I was studying in China before the pandemic. When will I know if I can return?
The return of the students will reportedly be facilitated on a need-assessed basis.
The embassy will be preparing a list of such students who need to return to their colleges and universities immediately.
The list will then be shared with the Chinese for their consideration.
How many students are stranded in India?
Over 23,000 Indians, mostly medical students, are stuck in India following the strict visa and flight restrictions imposed in December 2019 by the Chinese government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 infection.
Indian students had made several appeals in order to return to China and re-join their classes but were forced to undertake online classes as Beijing cancelled all flights and visas for Indians.
Hundreds of families of Indians working in China, too, were also stuck back home due to the travel restrictions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lijian Zaho said: "China attaches high importance to Indian students' concerns about returning to China for studies. We have shared with the Indian sides the procedures and experience of other countries' students returning to China."
He added that the Chinese embassy in India will facilitate the process.
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