The Government of India has announced a major simplification of its visa framework, reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The reform aims to make visa applications faster, easier and more accessible for foreign nationals while promoting tourism, medical travel, international education and business opportunities in India. As part of the initiative, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reduced the number of fields required in visa application forms by approximately 65–70% across all 23 sub-categories. The move is expected to significantly reduce paperwork, shorten application times and improve administrative efficiency without compromising essential verification requirements.
Under the revised framework, India’s nine main visa categories are Business, Diplomatic, Work, Journalist, Medical, Official, Student, Visitor and Miscellaneous visas. The restructuring is designed to eliminate overlapping classifications and provide clearer, purpose-based visa options for international travellers. One of the major changes involves replacing the traditional Tourist Visa classification with a broader Visitor Visa category. The new V-1 visa permits short-term activities, including tourism, business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats and cultural courses, with multiple entries allowed over 30 days. The V-2 visa offers longer validity periods of one, five or ten years, subject to eligibility, and includes provisions for mountaineering activities.
The Medical Visa framework has also been reorganised to distinguish between conventional medical treatments and AYUSH-based healthcare. The M-1 category covers medical treatment outside AYUSH systems, while M-3 is dedicated to AYUSH treatment. Both categories may offer one-year multiple-entry visas, with separate provisions for accompanying medical attendants. The government expects these changes to strengthen India’s position as a medical tourism destination under its Heal in India initiative. International students will also benefit from a simplified visa structure. The S-1 category covers school, undergraduate and postgraduate education, while S-2 includes doctoral research, academic exchanges, internships and other research-related activities. Eligible students enrolled through the Study in India portal may receive an e-S1 visa valid for up to five years or the duration of their academic programme, whichever is shorter.
For international businesses, the revised framework introduces two consolidated categories. B-1 covers long-term, licence-based business activities, including establishing industrial or commercial ventures in India, while B-2 covers short-term contractual activities, conferences and certain investment-related assignments. Special provisions have also been introduced for foreign engineers, technical specialists and professionals involved in industrial projects, technology transfers and manufacturing operations. India currently offers e-visa facilities to citizens of 172 countries, with electronic travel authorisation available across 13 sub-categories. The streamlined framework is expected to make India more attractive to international visitors, investors, researchers, healthcare seekers and skilled professionals.
