India Simplifies Visa System, Reduces Categories to Enhance Accessibility
India has streamlined its visa system, cutting categories from 13 to 9, aiming to boost tourism, medical travel, and education.
New Delhi, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian government has announced significant changes to its visa system, simplifying the process in a bid to attract more foreign tourists, medical travelers, and international students. The number of main visa categories has been reduced from 13 to 9, while subcategories have decreased from 49 to 23. This reform, which took effect on August 27, 2026, follows an earlier simplification in October 2025, which had already streamlined categories from 22 to 13 and subcategories from 63 to 49.
The Ministry of Home Affairs undertook a comprehensive review of visa systems in developed countries and global standards to facilitate easier identification of appropriate visa categories. This initiative aims to clarify the visa framework for visitors, patients, students, researchers, investors, and business professionals, thereby promoting legitimate travel, education, health, and economic engagement with India.
The changes have minimized overlaps in visa categories, making it easier for applicants to navigate the system. Currently, the e-visa process operates under 13 subcategories, available to citizens from 172 countries. The previously named tourist visa will now be referred to as a visitor visa, reflecting a broader range of approved purposes beyond traditional tourism. This category is divided into two subcategories: V-1 and V-2. The V-1 visa allows for short-term activities such as business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats, and short courses in Indian languages and arts. It is valid for multiple entries over 30 days. The V-2 visa is intended for longer stays, valid for 1, 5, or 10 years, and includes activities permitted under V-1 along with mountaineering.
The medical visa framework now includes separate provisions for treatments under traditional and AYUSH systems. The M-1 visa covers treatments excluding AYUSH, while the M-3 visa is specific to AYUSH treatments. Both M-1 and M-3 visas, along with their e-visa variants, will be issued with multiple entries for one year as the default option. Medical attendant visas are also available for those accompanying M-1 and M-3 holders.
The student visa category has been consolidated into two subcategories. The S-1 visa covers school, graduate, and postgraduate education, while the S-2 visa includes PhD students, visiting faculty, foreign researchers, and exchange students. E-S1 visas for foreign students enrolled in Indian institutions will be available for up to five years or the duration of their course, whichever is shorter, with multiple entries.
Business visas have also been streamlined into B-1 and B-2 categories. The B-1 visa pertains to long-term, license-based business activities, while the B-2 visa covers short-term, contract-based business engagements, including production investment, conferences, and performances. Special provisions for foreign experts, engineers, and technicians appointed by Indian companies will also be available under the B-2 category.
Furthermore, the Ministry has reduced the number of fields in the visa application forms by 65-70%, simplifying the application process and enhancing administrative efficiency. This change is expected to decrease the time and effort required from applicants, leading to a more focused review and quicker processing of visa applications.
To implement these changes, the Ministry of Home Affairs is in the final stages of upgrading its IT systems, with a rollout of the new visa issuance process anticipated by the end of the year.
