India cuts visa categories from 13 to 9, cuts application columns by up to 70%; Check when it goes into effect | Today’s news
India has simplified its visa regime by reducing the number of major visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also streamlined visa application forms, ANI reported. According to the news agency, 23 categories and subcategories were revised, reducing the number of required columns or fields by 65% to 70%.
Ministry of Interior revises visa categories, forms
According to the MHA, the move is aimed at reducing the time and effort required by foreign nationals to complete applications. It is also expected to improve administrative efficiency through more targeted control and processing.
“The Indian government has simplified its visa regime by reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to 9 and the number of sub-categories from 49 to 23. The aim of this move was to make it more compact, coherent and responsive to the requirements of foreign nationals visiting India. To implement all the changes made in the Indian visa regime, the MHA will update the IT systems, as the visa will be granted within a year, rational quoted the press agency.
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New visa categories in India
The nine revised categories will include business, diplomatic, work, journalist, medical, official, student, visitor and miscellaneous visas.
The ministry announced the latest changes on August 27, following an earlier rationalization in October 2025, when categories were reduced from 22 to 13 and sub-categories from 63 to 49.
The MHA said the government studied visa systems in developed countries and global standards before making the changes. Officials said the introduction of similar travel purposes is likely to make it easier for applicants to identify the appropriate category.
Currently, India offers e-visas to citizens of 172 countries in 13 sub-categories.
Tourist visa
The current tourist visa was renamed Visitor Visa and divided into two categories – V-1 and V-2. The V-1 covers short-term stays for tourism, business, medical, wellness, and short-term cultural or language courses valid for 30 days with multiple entries. V-2 covers longer visits of one, five or 10 years and includes mountaineering.
Medical visa
Medical visa includes conventional treatment under M-1 and AYUSH treatment under M-3. In both cases, entry is allowed for one year with multiple entries. M-2 and M-4 visas are available to persons accompanying the patient.
Student visa
Meanwhile, student visas have been merged into two categories. While the S-1 covers school and higher education, the S-2 is for researchers, visiting faculty, interns, and exchange students. Eligible students can enroll through the Study in India portal and obtain their e-S1 visas for up to five years or the duration of the course, whichever is shorter.
Business visa
Similarly, business visas are divided into two categories. B-1 is for long-term license-based activities and B-2 is for short-term contract-based business engagements. Manufacturing investment business visas, previously issued under the e-B4 nomenclature, will now be available under the B-2 nomenclature.
When will it be effective?
The Department is currently updating its systems to implement the changes.
The revised framework is expected to come into effect by the end of this year, according to the MHA.
