India simplifies visa system to 9 categories:Replaces tourist option with visitor visa; streamlined process to take effect by year-end

The Ministry of Home Affairs has changed India’s visa system. On Wednesday, the ministry said the number of main visa categories had been reduced from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The tourist visa has been renamed the visitor visa. The number of fields that foreign nationals must fill in on visa application forms has also been reduced by 65-70%. The aim is to make the application process easier and faster. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the new system will be implemented by the end of the year. Earlier, in October 2025, the number of main visa categories was reduced from 22 to 13. At the time, the number of sub-categories was reduced from 63 to 49. E-visas for citizens of 172 countries At present, e-visas are issued under 13 subcategories. This facility is available to citizens of 172 countries. The former tourist visa has now been renamed the visitor visa. The visitor visa has been divided into two subcategories, named V-1 and V-2. The V-1 visa will be issued for 30 days and will allow multiple entries. It covers business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats and short-term treatment. Short-term courses in Indian languages, music, art and crafts are also included. The V-2 visa will be for long-term visits to India. Its validity will be one, five or 10 years, as per the prescribed rules. The V-2 visa will cover the activities included under V-1 as well as mountaineering. A six-month multiple-entry visa will be issued for mountaineering. Changes to medical visas The medical visa system includes separate provisions for general medical treatment and treatment under AYUSH systems. According to the ministry, this will make things more convenient for patients undergoing multiple consultations, follow-up appointments or treatment in stages. Multiple-entry visas will reduce the need to apply repeatedly during treatment. Separate provisions for AYUSH will enable applicants to choose the right treatment option. Attendant visas will also make things easier for people accompanying patients. This will promote medical value tourism in India. Two categories of student visas The S-1 visa will be for school, graduate and postgraduate education. The S-2 visa will be for PhD students and students conducting research at Indian universities. This includes visiting faculty, foreign research students coming to India for research, scientific and anthropological expeditions, internships, exchange students and other specified academic activities. Foreign students admitted to Indian educational institutions through the Study in India portal may be granted an e-S1 visa. This visa will be issued for a maximum of five years or until the course is completed, whichever is earlier. It will allow multiple entries. New category of business visa The B-1 visa will be for long-term, licence-based business activities. This also includes foreign nationals seeking to establish industrial or business enterprises in India. The B-2 visa will be issued for short-term, contract-based business activities. These will include production investment business, conferences, sporting events, performing arts and films. Special provisions have also been made for foreign subject-matter experts, engineers and technical staff associated with Indian companies. These experts will be able to undertake activities such as installation and commissioning, quality checks, essential maintenance, production, IT and ERP ramp-up, training, supply-chain development, plant design and commencement. This will also include senior management and technical support. In addition, activities related to the transfer of information, technology and services will be covered. Such individuals may be granted a production investment business visa through the e-visa platform under the B-2 category. Earlier, this facility was provided under the name e-B4 visa. Applicants will have to provide 65-70% less information in the application form The Ministry of Home Affairs has also completed the exercise of simplifying visa application forms across all 23 categories. The number of mandatory fields in these forms has been reduced by 65-70%. According to the ministry, this will significantly reduce the information sought from foreign nationals. The information required for the visa process will be retained. This will reduce the time and effort required to complete applications. Focusing on essential information will also make the scrutiny and visa processes more effective. The Ministry of Home Affairs is updating its IT systems to implement these changes. Under the revised system, visas will be issued by the end of this year. Nine main categories under the new system The revised system will have nine main categories: business, diplomatic, work, journalist, medical, official, student, visitor and miscellaneous visas. Miscellaneous visas will include people of Indian origin, their spouses and children. It will also include people associated with designated organisations such as the Auroville Foundation, dependants of foreign nationals living in India on long-term visas, and stay visas for Afghan nationals. Long-term visas for certain categories of citizens from neighbouring countries will also fall under this category. Purposes not covered by any other visa category will come under miscellaneous visas. ​