Government Cuts Visa Categories and Shrinks Application Forms

The Ministry of Home Affairs has reduced India's main visa categories from 13 to nine and trimmed visa application forms by 65% to 70%. The changes aim to make the visa process simpler and faster for foreign nationals visiting the country.

Changes to Visitor and Business Visas

The standard tourist visa is now called the visitor visa and is split into two sub-categories, V-1 and V-2. The V-1 visa lasts for 30 days with multiple entries for short stays like business meetings or yoga courses, while the V-2 visa lasts up to 10 years for longer trips and mountaineering. The business visa is now divided into B-1 for long-term ventures and B-2 for short-term contracts, which includes a new Production Investment Business Visa for foreign experts and engineers.

Medical and Student Visas

Medical visas now have separate routes for standard treatments under M-1 and traditional AYUSH treatments under M-3, with attendant visas available for companions. Student visas are grouped into S-1 for regular school and college courses and S-2 for research scholars, interns, and visiting faculty members.

Context

These updates follow earlier changes made in October 2025 and August 2026 as part of a wider effort to align India's visa system with global standards. The government is currently updating its IT systems so that all visas are issued under the new rules by the end of the year.