India Overhauls Visa System: Government Reduces Categories to Nine, Cuts Application Form Fields by 70%

India has introduced major changes to its visa framework, reducing the number of primary visa categories from 13 to nine and cutting sub-categories from 49 to 23. The government has also simplified visa application forms by reducing the required fields by approximately 65–70%, aiming to make the process easier and more efficient for foreign nationals visiting the country.

The latest changes were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on November 11, 2026. According to the ministry, the revised framework is designed to make India's visa system more streamlined, organised and responsive to the needs of international visitors.

The latest restructuring follows an earlier rationalisation exercise in October 2025, when the government reduced the number of main visa categories from 22 to 13 and sub-categories from 63 to 49. Subsequently, on August 27, the MHA further reduced the categories to nine main types and 23 sub-categories.

Government Aims to Make India's Visa Process Simpler

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the government examined visa systems followed by developed countries and international standards while reviewing India's existing framework.

The consolidation brings together visa categories covering similar travel purposes, making it easier for applicants to identify the appropriate visa for their visit.

The government believes the revised structure will improve clarity, simplify applications and support legitimate international travel to India.

Currently, India's e-visa facility operates under 13 sub-categories and is available to citizens of 172 countries, according to the ministry.

Tourist Visa Replaced With a Broader Visitor Visa Category

One of the significant changes is the renaming of the existing Tourist Visa as the Visitor Visa. The revised category accommodates a wider range of travel purposes beyond conventional tourism.

The Visitor Visa has been divided into two sub-categories:

V-1 Visa: Designed for short-term visits, this visa covers business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats, short-term medical treatment and brief courses in Indian languages, music, art and crafts. It will be issued with a 30-day validity and multiple-entry facility.

V-2 Visa: Intended for longer visits, this visa can be granted for one, five or 10 years, depending on the specified eligibility and purpose. It covers activities permitted under the V-1 category, along with mountaineering. Foreign nationals visiting India for mountaineering will receive a six-month multiple-entry visa.

Medical Visa Categories Retain Separate Provisions for AYUSH Treatment

The revised visa framework continues to distinguish between conventional medical treatment and healthcare services offered under India's traditional AYUSH systems.

The Medical Visa category includes two principal sub-categories:

• M-1 Visa: For foreign nationals seeking medical treatment other than AYUSH-based procedures.

• M-3 Visa: Specifically for patients receiving treatment under AYUSH systems.

Both categories, including their e-visa versions, will generally be issued with one-year validity and multiple entries.

The government has also retained separate provisions for medical attendants accompanying patients.

• M-2 Visa: For attendants of M-1 visa holders.

• M-4 Visa: For attendants of M-3 visa holders.

According to the MHA, these provisions will offer greater flexibility to international patients whose treatment may require multiple consultations, follow-up visits or procedures spread over an extended period.

Multiple-entry visas will also reduce the need for patients to submit repeated applications during their treatment. The separate AYUSH provision is expected to make it easier for applicants to select the appropriate medical visa.

The government believes these measures will further support India's medical value tourism sector.

Student Visa Framework Consolidated Into Two Categories

India has also reorganised its Student Visa framework into two broad sub-categories to accommodate different academic and research activities.

S-1 Visa: Covers students pursuing school-level, graduate and postgraduate education in India.

S-2 Visa: Applies to PhD and research scholars at Indian universities, visiting faculty members, foreign research students, 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 may also qualify for an e-S1 visa. It can be issued for up to five years or for the duration of the academic programme, whichever is shorter, with multiple entries.

Business Visa Divided Into B-1 and B-2 Categories

The Business Visa framework has been consolidated into two categories, B-1 and B-2, based on the nature and duration of business activities.

B-1 Visa: Covers long-term business activities requiring licences, including foreign nationals planning to establish industrial or commercial ventures in India.

B-2 Visa: Covers short-term and contract-based business activities, including production investment, conferences, sporting events, performing arts and film-related activities.

The revised framework also introduces a specific provision for foreign technical experts, engineers and subject-matter specialists engaged by Indian companies.

These professionals may undertake activities such as:

• Installation and commissioning of machinery and equipment.

• Quality inspections and essential maintenance.

• Production-related activities.

• Information Technology and ERP system implementation.

• Employee training and supply-chain development.

• Plant design and operational setup.

• Senior management and technical support.

• Transfer of technology, technical expertise and services.

Eligible professionals may receive a Production Investment Business Visa under the B-2 category through the e-visa platform.

Previously, this facility was provided under the e-B4 visa category, the MHA stated.

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Visa Application Forms to Have 65–70% Fewer Fields

Apart from restructuring visa categories, the government has undertaken a comprehensive review of application forms across all 23 revised sub-categories.

The ministry confirmed that the number of required fields and columns has been reduced by approximately 65–70%.

The move is intended to minimise the amount of information applicants need to provide while retaining the essential details required for visa processing.

According to the MHA, shorter application forms will save applicants time and effort while also improving administrative efficiency. The simplified structure is expected to help authorities conduct more focused scrutiny and process applications more effectively.

Revised Visa Framework Expected to Be Implemented by Year-End

To introduce the new system, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently updating its information technology infrastructure.

The ministry stated that visas will begin to be issued under the revised framework by the end of 2026.

The restructured Indian visa system will consist of nine main categories:

1. Business Visa

2. Diplomatic Visa

3. Employment Visa

4. Journalist Visa

5. Medical Visa

6. Official Visa

7. Student Visa

8. Visitor Visa

9. Miscellaneous Visa
   
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What Does the Miscellaneous Visa Category Cover?

The Miscellaneous Visa category brings together several specific travel and stay-related purposes that do not fall under the other eight categories.

It includes persons of Indian origin and their spouses and children, individuals joining specified institutions such as the Auroville Foundation, and dependents of foreign nationals holding long-duration visas.

The category also covers stay visas for Afghan nationals, long-term visas for certain groups of nationals from neighbouring countries and other purposes that are not covered by the remaining visa categories.

With fewer categories, shorter application forms and consolidated eligibility provisions, the government aims to create a more accessible and efficient visa framework for foreign nationals travelling to India.