New Delhi: The Government of India has simplified its visa system by reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The move aims to make it easier for foreign nationals to visit India for tourism, medical treatment, education, research and business.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the visa application forms will reduce the number of fields by 65-70 per cent across all 23 sub-categories.
The latest changes follow an earlier exercise in October 2025 to simplify India’s visa system.
Tourist Visa Renamed Visitor Visa
The new category will cover more activities than regular tourism, including business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats and short-term educational and cultural courses.
The Visitor Visa will have two sub-categories:
V-1 Visa: Valid for 30 days with multiple entries. It will cover tourism, short business meetings, medical consultations, short-term medical treatment, wellness retreats, yoga programmes and short courses in Indian languages, music, art and craft.
V-2 Visa: Designed for longer visits, it will be available for one, five or 10 years, depending on eligibility. It will cover the activities allowed under V-1, additionally mountaineering. A separate six-month multiple-entry provision will also be available for mountaineering.
The wider category is expected to benefit foreign visitors who want to combine tourism with other short-term activities during their stay.
Medical Visas To Get One-Year Validity
The government has also revised the Medical Visa system to make it easier for foreign patients seeking treatment in India.
The new framework will have separate categories for regular medical treatment and treatment under AYUSH systems.
M-1 Visa: For medical treatment other than AYUSH.
M-2 Visa: For attendants accompanying M-1 visa holders.
M-3 Visa: For treatment under AYUSH systems.
M-4 Visa: For attendants accompanying M-3 visa holders.
Both M-1 and M-3 visas, including their e-visa options, will normally be issued for one year with multiple entries.
The move is anticipated to be beneficial for patients who need repeated consultations, follow-up appointments and medical procedures over a longer period. It is also part of the government’s ‘Heal in India’ initiative.
New Visa Rules For Foreign Students And Researchers
The Student Visa category has been simplified into two sub-categories: S-1 and S-2.
The S-1 visa will cover school, graduate and postgraduate education. The S-2 category will include PhD scholars, research students, visiting faculty, scientific and anthropological expeditions, internships and student exchange programmes.
Foreign students admitted to Indian educational institutions through the Study in India portal may receive an e-S1 visa valid for up to five years or the duration of their course, whichever is shorter. The visa will allow multiple entries.
The changes are aimed at making it easier for foreign students and researchers to pursue academic opportunities in India.
Business Visa Categories have also been divided into two sub-categories:
B-1: The B-1 visa will cover long-term business activities, including setting up industrial or business ventures in India.
B-2: The B-2 visa will cover short-term and contract-based activities, such as production investment, business meetings, conferences, sports events, cultural performances and film shoots.
A new provision has also been introduced for foreign technical experts, engineers and specialists hired by Indian companies.
It will cover professionals involved in installation, maintenance, quality checks, production, IT and ERP operations, employee training, supply chain development, plant design and technical support.
Such professionals may receive a Production Investment Business Visa under the B-2 category through the e-visa system. Earlier, this facility was covered under the e-B4 visa category.
E-Visa Facility Available To 172 Countries
India currently offers e-visas through electronic travel authorisation under 13 sub-categories. The facility is available to citizens of 172 countries.
The government is now updating its IT systems to introduce the revised visa framework. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, visas under the new system are expected to be issued by the end of 2026.
What Are The Nine Main Visa Categories?
Under the revised framework, India’s visa system will have nine main categories:
- Business Visa
- Diplomatic Visa
- Work Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Medical Visa
- Official Visa
- Student Visa
- Visitor Visa
- Miscellaneous Visa
The Miscellaneous Visa category will cover people of Indian origin and their spouses and children, dependents of foreign nationals holding long-term visas, and people joining institutions such as the Auroville Foundation.
It will also include Afghan nationals seeking stay visas and certain long-term visa provisions for citizens of neighbouring countries.