India Overhauls Visitor and Tourist Visa Process with Fewer Application Fields
India is set to significantly simplify the application process for visitor and tourist visas. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced upcoming changes that will reduce the number of fields on visa application forms by 65-70%. These updates also include a reorganization of visa categories, with a new Visitor Visa expected to replace the current Tourist Visa. These changes aim to make the process more streamlined and responsive to the needs of foreign nationals visiting India.
The revised visa framework is designed to be more compact and coherent. This initiative follows a previous reform in October 2025, which already reduced the number of main visa categories from 22 to 13 and sub-categories from 63 to 49. The latest changes will further cut the main categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The updated groupings will cover purposes such as Business, Diplomatic, Work, Journalist, Medical, Official, Student, Visitor, and Miscellaneous visas.
New Visitor Visa Options
The upcoming Visitor Visa will be divided into two main options, V-1 and V-2, to cater to different durations and purposes of stay.
V-1: Short-Term Visits
The V-1 option is designed for short-term activities and will be granted for 30 days with multiple entries. This category is suitable for purposes such as attending business meetings, seeking medical consultations or wellness retreats, undergoing short-term medical treatment, and participating in short courses for Indian languages, music, art, and crafts.
V-2: Extended Stays and Mountaineering
The V-2 option allows for longer visits and also includes provisions for mountaineering. This category covers the same activities as V-1, along with the specific pursuit of mountaineering. Depending on eligibility, V-2 visas can have validity periods of one, five, or ten years. A separate six-month, multiple-entry visa is available specifically for mountaineering expeditions. The eligibility for longer validity periods under V-2 is subject to specific criteria, which are not yet fully detailed.
Reorganized Categories for Specific Purposes
Beyond the general visitor visas, India is also reorganizing specific categories for medical, student, and business travelers to provide clearer pathways.
Medical Visas
The medical visa category is being restructured into M-1 and M-3 for patients seeking treatment outside or within AYUSH systems, respectively. Both of these, including their e-visa versions, are expected to have a standard one-year validity with multiple entries. Additionally, M-2 and M-4 visas will be available for attendants accompanying holders of M-1 and M-3 visas, respectively.
Study and Research Visas
For students and researchers, the S-1 category will cover formal education at school, graduate, and postgraduate levels. The S-2 category is for more specialized academic pursuits, including PhD and research scholars, visiting faculty, foreign research students, scientific and anthropological expeditions, internships, and exchange student programs. A significant update for international students is the potential for a multiple-entry e-S1 visa, valid for up to five years or the duration of their course, whichever is shorter, for those enrolled through the “Study in India” portal.
Business Visas
The business visa framework is being updated with B-1 and B-2 categories. B-1 is intended for longer-term, license-based business activities, such as establishing industrial or business ventures in India. B-2 is for shorter, contract-based work, including activities related to production investment, conferences, sports, performing arts, and film production. A specific provision under B-2 will allow foreign subject-matter specialists, engineers, and technical personnel engaged by Indian companies to use an e-Visa platform for production investment business activities, a process previously managed under the e-B4 nomenclature.
Transition to New Visa System
The MHA is currently working on updating its IT systems to support the new visa framework. The target is to begin issuing visas under these revised categories by the end of 2026, though a specific launch date has not yet been announced. Until the new system is fully operational, applicants are advised to continue using the current visa application procedures. The ministry has stated that the revised framework is designed to be more compact, coherent, and better suited to the needs of foreign nationals visiting India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main change to India’s visa application process?
India is reducing the number of fields on visa application forms by 65-70% and reorganizing visa categories to make the process simpler.
What is the new Visitor Visa and its options?
The new Visitor Visa replaces the Tourist Visa and has two options: V-1 for short-term stays (30 days, multiple entries) and V-2 for longer stays and mountaineering (with validity up to 10 years).
How are medical and study visas changing?
Medical visas are being restructured into M-1/M-3 for patients and M-2/M-4 for attendants, with one-year validity. Study visas (S-1/S-2) are being updated for formal education and research, with potential for a five-year e-visa for ‘Study in India’ students.
When will the new visa system be implemented?
India aims to start issuing visas under the revised categories by the end of 2026, but a specific launch date has not been announced yet.
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