Thu Dec 18 06:17:59 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:
Summary:
The Indian government, specifically the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has simplified the process for domestic companies to obtain e-visas for foreign professionals needed for production-related activities. This includes engineers and technical experts for tasks like machine installation, quality checks, and plant design. The DPIIT launched an online module on November 29, 2025, allowing Indian companies to generate sponsorship letters for the EB-4 (e-Production Investment Business) visa. This new system streamlines the process, reduces the time taken to obtain visas, and eliminates the need for approval from the Line Ministry. The initiative aims to improve the ease of doing business in India, benefiting both companies participating in Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and those that are not. It also clarifies visa categories, placing certain installation and commissioning activities under the business visa regime instead of employment visas.
News Article:
India Streamlines E-Visa Process for Foreign Production Experts
New Delhi, December 18, 2025 – In a move aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and improving the ease of doing business, the Indian government has announced a simplified and streamlined process for Indian companies to secure e-visas for foreign professionals. The initiative, spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), focuses on professionals whose expertise is crucial for production-related activities, including machine installation, quality checks, training, and plant design.
On November 29, 2025, DPIIT launched an online module on the National Single Window System (NSWS) enabling Indian companies to generate sponsorship letters for the e-Production Investment Business Visa (EB-4). This digital platform significantly reduces the bureaucratic hurdles previously faced by companies seeking to bring in foreign experts, particularly in sectors importing machinery.
“The earlier process was cumbersome and lengthy,” explained a government official. “The new system will help domestic firms get e-visas for foreign experts in a shorter time.” As of today, 129 sponsorship letters have already been generated by Indian companies.
The new system eliminates the need for approval from the Line Ministry, relying instead on automatic authentication through existing databases like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network). The DPIIT stated that this new module is available for both PLI (production-linked incentive schemes) and non-PLI beneficiary firms.
This initiative follows an August 2025 circular from the Ministry of Home Affairs clarifying visa regulations and placing certain installation and commissioning activities under the business visa regime. A new sub-category, the B-4 visa, was also created under the Business Visa regime.
The streamlined process is expected to particularly benefit companies importing machinery from countries like China, who had previously faced difficulties in obtaining visas for Chinese professionals needed for installation and technical support. The government believes this move will attract investment and promote the growth of India’s manufacturing sector.
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