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India has introduced major reforms to its visa system, simplifying entry procedures for foreign nationals travelling to the country for tourism, medical treatment, education, research and business purposes.
Under the revised framework, the number of main visa categories has been reduced from 13 to nine, while the number of subcategories has been cut from 49 to 23. The government has also simplified visa application forms, reducing the number of information fields by between 65 and 70 per cent across all 23 subcategories.
The reforms are aimed at making the visa application process more straightforward, reducing administrative complications and improving India’s appeal as a destination for international visitors, students, patients, researchers and investors.
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs said the changes followed a comprehensive review of visa systems in developed countries and international best practices. The latest reforms build on an earlier round of changes introduced in October 2025.
As part of the restructuring, the existing Tourist Visa has been renamed the ‘Visitor Visa’, with its scope expanded beyond conventional tourism. The new category will cover a wider range of short-term activities, including business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats, short-term medical treatment and cultural and educational courses.
The Visitor Visa has been divided into two subcategories, V-1 and V-2, to accommodate different travel requirements and lengths of stay.
The V-1 visa will be valid for 30 days and allow multiple entries into India. Apart from tourism, holders will be permitted to attend short-term business meetings, consult doctors, participate in wellness retreats and receive short-term medical treatment.
The visa will also cover short courses in Indian languages, music, arts and crafts, as well as short-term yoga programmes.
For those wishing to stay in India for longer periods, the government has introduced the V-2 visa. Depending on eligibility, it may be issued for one, five or 10 years.
In addition to activities permitted under the V-1 category, V-2 visa holders will be allowed to undertake mountaineering activities. A separate six-month multiple-entry facility will also be available for mountaineering purposes.
The medical visa framework has also undergone significant changes, with separate categories introduced for conventional medical treatment and traditional AYUSH-based healthcare.
Under the new system, M-1 visas will be issued to foreign nationals seeking treatment under conventional medical systems, while M-3 visas will be available to those opting for AYUSH therapies.
Both categories will generally carry a one-year validity and allow multiple entries into India. Similar facilities will also apply to electronic visas.
The government has introduced separate visa arrangements for attendants accompanying patients. Individuals accompanying M-1 visa holders will be eligible for M-2 visas, while attendants of M-3 visa holders will be covered by the M-4 category.
According to the Indian government, the revised arrangements will particularly benefit foreign patients requiring repeated medical consultations, follow-up visits, long-term treatment or surgical procedures.
The changes are expected to reduce the need for patients to apply for fresh visas every time they travel to India for treatment. They are also part of India’s broader ‘Heal in India’ initiative, which seeks to strengthen the country’s position as an international healthcare destination.
The student visa system has also been streamlined, with the number of subcategories reduced to two: S-1 and S-2.
The S-1 visa will cover foreign students enrolled in school, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in India.
The S-2 category will include PhD scholars, research students, visiting faculty members, participants in scientific and anthropological expeditions, interns and individuals taking part in academic exchange programmes.
Foreign students admitted to Indian educational institutions through the ‘Study in India’ portal will be eligible for an e-S1 visa valid for up to five years. However, if the duration of their academic programme is shorter than five years, the visa validity will be determined accordingly.
The e-S1 visa will also allow multiple entries into India.
The Indian government believes the revised system will provide greater clarity regarding visa eligibility, validity and conditions for international students and researchers. It is also expected to make Indian universities and research institutions more accessible to foreign applicants.
India has divided its Business Visa category into two subcategories, B-1 and B-2, to distinguish between long-term business activities and short-term contractual engagements.
The B-1 visa will cover long-term business activities, including establishing industrial units and setting up business ventures in India.
The B-2 category will apply to short-term and contract-based activities. These will include business operations related to manufacturing and investment, conferences, sporting events, cultural performances and film production.
The revised framework also introduces specific provisions for foreign technical experts and professionals employed by Indian companies.
Foreign engineers, specialists and technical personnel engaged in installing and commissioning machinery, quality inspection, maintenance, manufacturing, information technology and enterprise resource planning (ERP) operations will be eligible for the new facilities.
The provisions will also cover professionals involved in training, supply-chain improvement, factory design and technical support.
Such specialists will be eligible for a ‘Production Investment Business Visa’ under the B-2 category. Applications for this visa will also be accepted through India’s e-Visa platform.
The visa was previously known as the e-B4 category.
According to the Indian government, the revised provisions will make visa requirements clearer for companies seeking to recruit foreign technical experts. They are also expected to facilitate technology-related services, technical assistance and manufacturing operations.
The changes are particularly relevant to India’s efforts to expand industrial production, attract foreign investment and strengthen its manufacturing sector.
Under the revised framework, India’s visa system will have nine main categories instead of the existing 13.
These are Business, Diplomatic, Employment, Journalist, Medical, Official, Student, Visitor and Miscellaneous visas.
The 23 subcategories will be distributed across these nine main groups, consolidating several previously separate visa arrangements.
The Miscellaneous Visa category will cover several special groups of foreign nationals. These include people of Indian origin and their spouses and children, dependent family members of foreign nationals holding long-term visas, and individuals travelling to India to join designated institutions such as the Auroville Foundation.
The category will also include Afghan nationals seeking visas to stay in India, as well as applicants from certain neighbouring countries eligible for specific long-term visa arrangements.
At present, India provides electronic visas to citizens of 172 countries under 13 subcategories through its Electronic Travel Authorisation system.
The government is undertaking the necessary changes to its information technology infrastructure to implement the revised visa framework and align the online application and approval systems with the new classifications.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has said the new visa framework is expected to become operational by the end of 2026.
The latest reforms represent a broader effort by India to modernise its immigration procedures and make the country more accessible to international visitors.
By consolidating visa categories, reducing application requirements and introducing greater flexibility for medical, educational and business travel, the government expects to improve the experience of foreign nationals while supporting tourism, healthcare services, international education and investment.
The success of the reforms, however, will depend on their effective implementation, particularly the timely completion of the necessary technological upgrades and the smooth transition to the new application system.