New Delhi, 12 November 2026: The Central Government has made important changes to make the visa system more simple and streamlined for foreign citizens coming to India. The Union Home Ministry has reduced the number of major categories of visas from 13 to 9, while sub-categories have been reduced from 49 to 23. The main objective of this change is to make it easier for foreign nationals to choose the appropriate visa as per the purpose of their visit and also to speed up the application and approval process.
It is noteworthy that earlier also in October 2025, changes were made in the visa system. Then the main categories were reduced from 22 to 13 and sub-categories were reduced from 63 to 49. Now once again the simplification is expected to benefit tourists wanting to come to India, patients coming for medical treatment, foreign students, researchers and people associated with trade and industry.
While preparing these reforms, the Home Ministry has also studied the visa system of developed countries and international standards. The government's effort is to remove complications in the visa process by including visits with similar purposes in a single category.
Visitor visa now available for short and long visits
The category previously known as tourist visa has now been named visitor visa. The purpose behind this change is to cover not only tourism, but also other short-term permitted activities in this category. Visitor visa is divided into two subcategories: V-1 and V-2.
V-1 Visa: This visa, given for short-term visit, will provide multiple entry facility with validity of 30 days. These include travel, business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats, short-term treatments as well as short courses in Indian languages, music, arts and crafts.
V-2 Visa: For long-term visits, this visa can be obtained with a validity of one, five or ten years. Apart from the activities covered under V-1, mountaineering has also been included in it. There is also a provision for granting six-month multiple entry visa especially for mountaineering.
This change will make it easier for those foreign citizens who want to participate in business meetings, treatment or cultural activities along with tourism during their visit to India.
Multiple entry facility in medical visa
Important changes have also been made in the medical visa system for foreign citizens coming to India for treatment. In the new system, a separate sub-category has been kept for traditional medical treatment and treatment under AYUSH system.
Under M-1 visa, other medical treatments other than AYUSH are included, while M-3 visa will be for foreign citizens coming for treatment under AYUSH system.
Both these types of visas including e-visa can generally be given with one year validity and multiple entry. Separate arrangements have also been made for the assistants accompanying the patients. Patient assistants with M-1 visas will be given M-2 visas and patient assistants with M-3 visas will be given M-4 visas.
With this arrangement, patients who need to come to India frequently for treatment can get relief from the trouble of applying for a new visa every time. This facility will prove especially useful for long treatment, follow-up and stage-by-stage medical procedures. This initiative of the government is also likely to give impetus to medical value tourism in India.
Two categories of student visa for foreign students
Keeping in mind the convenience of foreign students coming to India for higher education and research, student visa has also been divided into two main sub-categories. The S-1 visa will cover schooling, graduate and post-graduate studies. Whereas under S-2 visa, educational activities including students coming for PhD and research, visiting faculty, foreign researchers, scientists, anthropological expeditions, internships, exchange programs will be covered.
Foreign students seeking admission in Indian educational institutions through the 'Study in India' portal will be able to get e-S1 visa with multiple entry for five years or till the completion of the course, whichever is less. This change will reduce the need for foreign students to undergo repeated visa-related procedures during their studies and will enable them to make long-term educational planning more easily.
New provision for investment and industries in business visa
Business visas for foreign nationals wishing to join India in the trade and industry sector have been organized into two categories: B-1 and B-2. B-1 visa will cover foreign nationals wishing to establish long-term business activities, industrial units or business ventures in India. On the other hand, B-2 visa will be for short-term and contract based business activities. It includes activities related to investment in manufacturing, business conferences, sports, cultural events, performing arts and film production.
Special provision has been made to make it easier for Indian companies to avail the services of foreign technical experts and engineers. Experts coming for work like installation and commissioning of machinery, quality testing, maintenance, production process, IT and ERP systems, employee training, supply chain development and plant design will be able to get Production Investment Business Visa under B-2 category.
Earlier this type of facility was provided under the name e-B4 Visa. Now it is covered under B-2 in the new system. With this step, it can become easier to set up industries in India and get the help of foreign technology and experts in the production process.
65 to 70 percent reduction in visa application forms
Along with changes in visa categories, the Home Ministry has also simplified the application form. The required columns and details of information for all 23 visa categories and sub-categories have been reduced by approximately 65 to 70 percent. Earlier, many details which had to be filled during the application have been reduced and now only the necessary information will be emphasized. However, the details required for visa verification and approval will remain the same.
This will save time and effort of foreign applicants. It will also help the government system in more effective scrutiny and faster processing of applications. The work of upgrading the IT system for the implementation of the new visa system by the Home Ministry is in the final stages. According to the government, the process of granting visas will be started according to the improved system by the end of 2026.
Now the main 9 categories of visa will be as follows
Under the new system, the following nine main categories have been included in India's visa system.
1\. Business Visa: For activities like setting up business in India, investment, business meetings, conferences, sports and film production.
2\. Diplomatic Visa: For foreign ambassadors appointed to India, ambassadors to the United Nations and their dependents.
3\. Work Visa: For long-term employment and designated missionary activities in Indian companies, institutions and NGOs.
4\. Journalist Visa: For recognized foreign journalists doing journalistic work in India.
5\. Medical Visa: For the patients and their assistants coming to Indian hospitals for medical treatment and treatment under AYUSH system.
6\. Official Visa: For non-royal Government officials visiting India or appointed to India and their dependents.
7\. Student Visa: For school and higher education, yoga, Vedic culture, Indian music and dance, Buddhist studies, Indian languages, research, internship and exchange programs.
8\. Visitor Visa: For travel, short-term business meetings, medical advice, wellness retreats, transit and mountaineering.
9\. Miscellaneous Visa: For citizens of Indian origin, their spouses and children, foreigners joining certain institutions, dependents of visa holders of various categories and for other special purposes.
E-Visa facility for citizens of 172 countries
At present India has made e-Visa facility available for citizens of 172 countries. The process of obtaining an e-Visa is conducted through Electronic Travel Authorization under 13 sub-categories.
With the implementation of the new system, the confusion between different categories of visas will reduce and it will become easier for foreign citizens to visit India for treatment, education, research and planning business activities. However, to obtain a visa, it will be necessary to follow the eligibility criteria of the relevant category and the conditions set by the government.