India Streamlines Visa System, Reduces Categories from 13 to 9 and Cuts Application Fields by Up to 70%

NEW DELHI, Nov 11: The Indian government has introduced significant changes to its visa framework, reducing the number of primary visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The move also includes a 65-70 per cent reduction in the information fields required in visa application forms, aimed at making the process simpler and more accessible for foreign visitors.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the reforms are intended to create a streamlined, transparent and efficient visa system that better addresses the diverse requirements of international travellers visiting India.

The latest restructuring was implemented on August 27, following an earlier revision in October 2025, when the government reduced the main visa categories from 22 to 13 and sub-categories from 63 to 49.

The ministry said the government examined visa procedures followed by developed nations and international standards before undertaking the latest exercise. The consolidation of categories with similar purposes is expected to help applicants identify the appropriate visa more easily while encouraging legitimate international travel.

At present, India’s electronic visa facility operates through 13 sub-categories and is accessible to citizens of 172 countries.
Tourist Visa Replaced with Visitor Visa
One of the major changes involves renaming the Tourist Visa as the Visitor Visa to accommodate a wider range of permitted activities beyond conventional tourism.

The new category has been divided into two classifications, V-1 and V-2.

The V-1 visa is designed for short-term visits involving business meetings, medical consultations, wellness programmes, brief medical treatments and short courses in Indian languages, music, art and crafts. It will generally be issued for 30 days with multiple-entry permission.

The V-2 visa is intended for longer visits and will be available with validity periods of one, five or 10 years, depending on the applicant’s eligibility and requirements. It also covers activities permitted under V-1, along with mountaineering. Foreign nationals travelling for mountaineering purposes will be eligible for a six-month multiple-entry visa.
Separate Provisions for Medical Visitors
The revised framework retains distinct arrangements for foreign nationals seeking medical assistance through conventional healthcare facilities and traditional AYUSH treatment systems.

The M-1 category will cover medical treatment outside the AYUSH system, while the M-3 category will apply to individuals seeking treatment under AYUSH practices.

Both categories, including their electronic visa options, will normally be granted for one year with multiple entries.

The government has also maintained separate provisions for accompanying attendants. The M-2 visa will be available to individuals accompanying M-1 visa holders, while the M-4 category will cover attendants of M-3 applicants.

According to the ministry, these provisions will provide greater flexibility to international patients who require several consultations, follow-up visits or treatment procedures over an extended period.

Multiple-entry permissions are also expected to eliminate the need for repeated applications during ongoing medical treatment. The separate AYUSH classification will further help applicants select the appropriate category.

The government believes these measures will strengthen India’s position as a destination for medical value tourism by making healthcare-related travel more convenient for patients and their accompanying family members.
Student Visa Categories Restructured
The Student Visa framework has also been reorganised into two broader classifications to accommodate different educational and research activities.

The S-1 category will cover students pursuing school-level, undergraduate and postgraduate education in India.

Meanwhile, the S-2 category will include doctoral candidates, research scholars, visiting faculty members, international students undertaking research, scientific and anthropological expeditions, internships and exchange programmes, along with other specified academic activities.

Foreign students admitted to Indian educational institutions through the Study in India portal will be eligible for an e-S1 visa with multiple entries. Its validity may extend up to five years or the duration of the academic programme, whichever is shorter.

The revised arrangement is expected to make India’s education system more accessible to international students and researchers.
Business Visa Framework Simplified
The government has divided the Business Visa category into B-1 and B-2 classifications to distinguish between long-term commercial activities and short-term contractual engagements.

The B-1 category will cover long-term business activities requiring licences, including foreign nationals planning to establish industrial units or commercial ventures in India.

The B-2 category will accommodate short-term, contract-based business activities, including production investment, conferences, sporting events, performing arts and film-related engagements.

A dedicated provision has also been introduced for foreign technical professionals, engineers and subject-matter experts hired by Indian companies for specialised assignments.

These activities may include installation and commissioning of machinery, quality inspections, essential maintenance, production operations, information technology and enterprise resource planning implementation, employee training, supply-chain development, plant design and operational support.

The provision also extends to senior management responsibilities, technical assistance and the transfer of technology, expertise and services.

Eligible foreign professionals may receive a Production Investment Business Visa under the B-2 category through the electronic visa system. Previously, such applications were processed under the e-B4 visa classification.
Visa Application Forms to Become Shorter
Apart from restructuring visa categories, the MHA has carried out a comprehensive review of application forms across all 23 revised categories and sub-categories.

As part of the exercise, the number of mandatory information fields has been reduced by approximately 65-70 per cent.

The ministry said the reduction would minimise the amount of information applicants need to provide while retaining essential details required for verification and decision-making.

The simplified forms are expected to reduce the time and effort involved in submitting applications. They will also help authorities improve administrative efficiency through more focused examination and processing of applications.
Revised System to Be Operational by Year-End
The MHA is currently upgrading its information technology infrastructure to accommodate the revised visa classifications and application procedures.

According to the ministry, the updated framework is expected to become operational by the end of 2026, with visas being issued under the new arrangements thereafter.

Following the restructuring, India’s visa system will consist of nine principal categories: Business, Diplomatic, Work, Journalist, Medical, Official, Student, Visitor and Miscellaneous.

The Miscellaneous category will cover several specific groups that do not fall under the other classifications. These include persons of Indian origin and their spouses and children, individuals joining designated institutions such as the Auroville Foundation, and dependents of foreign nationals holding long-duration visas.

It will also accommodate stay visas for Afghan nationals, long-term visas for certain nationals from neighbouring countries and other specified purposes.

With fewer categories, shorter application forms and expanded multiple entry provisions, the government expects the reforms to make India’s visa administration more efficient while supporting tourism, healthcare, education, investment and international business engagement.