No proposal to remove Chinese scholars from PRC list: Lok Sabha told

NEW DELHI: Chinese scholars would continue to remain on the Prior Referral Category (PRC) list for the purpose of issuing visas, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

There was no proposal for removing China from the PRC category for issuing research visas, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a written reply.

Research visas are given to scholars and participants of conferences, seminars or workshops being held in India.

The Minister said Chinese nationals seeking business visas have been taken off the PRC list. However, for the purpose of grant of employment visa, China was on the list.

The Modi government had eased the visa regime for China which included launch of e-tourist visa facility for its citizens. Besides, India had taken off China from the list of PRC countries with regard to conference visas.

Visas are issued to the nationals of a country put under PRC only after Indian missions abroad have run a thorough background check on individual applicants.

The nationals of countries not figuring in the PRC list are not subjected to elaborate scrutiny by the security establishment prior to issuance of visas.