Quick answer: India has simplified its visa framework in 2026 by reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to 9 and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also reduced the number of fields in visa application forms by 65–70% across the revised sub-categories. The changes are intended to make it easier for foreign nationals to identify the right visa for tourism, business, medical treatment, education and other purposes. However, the new framework is not yet fully operational. The government is updating its IT systems and expects visas under the revised system to be issued by the end of 2026.

What Has Changed in India's Visa Rules?

India has taken another step towards simplifying its visa system. On 11 November 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced details of a revised framework that brings together similar visa purposes and reduces the amount of information applicants need to provide.

The latest changes follow an earlier round of visa rationalisation in October 2025. At that time, the government reduced the main visa categories from 22 to 13 and the sub-categories from 63 to 49. The latest revision takes the numbers further down.

The aim is to reduce overlap between categories and make the system easier to understand. A foreign national visiting India for a holiday, a medical consultation, a business meeting or a university course should be able to identify a more suitable visa route without having to navigate as many overlapping options.

The government says the revised framework is designed to support tourism, medical travel, education, research, investment and business activities. The changes also aim to make visa processing more focused by retaining the information that authorities need for assessment.

What Are the Nine Indian Visa Categories?

Under the revised framework, India will have nine main visa categories. Each category covers a broad purpose of travel or stay.

These are the nine broad categories announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Each category has its own conditions and permitted activities. The correct option depends on the traveller's purpose, eligibility and intended length of stay.

Tourist Visa Renamed as Visitor Visa: What Does It Mean?

One of the most noticeable changes is the renaming of the Tourist Visa as the Visitor Visa. The new name reflects a wider range of permitted short-term activities beyond conventional sightseeing and holidays.

The Visitor Visa has been divided into two sub-categories: V-1 and V-2. This distinction is intended to help applicants choose an option based on the nature and duration of their visit.

V-1 Visitor Visa

The V-1 Visa is intended for short-term visits and is granted for 30 days with multiple entries. Along with other eligible visitor activities, it covers:

• Tourism and sightseeing.
• Short-term business meetings.
• Medical consultations.
• Wellness retreats.
• Short-duration medical treatment.
• Short-term courses in Indian languages, music, art and craft.

This broader scope may be useful for visitors who want to combine a holiday with a permitted short activity during their stay. For example, a traveller may visit India for sightseeing and also attend a short course in Indian art or music, subject to the applicable visa conditions.

V-2 Visitor Visa

The V-2 Visa is designed for longer-duration visits. Depending on the applicable conditions, it may be issued with a validity of one, five or ten years. It covers activities permitted under the V-1 category and mountaineering.

For mountaineering, the announced provision allows a six-month multiple-entry visa.

Longer validity can be useful for eligible travellers who visit India regularly. However, visa validity and the permitted duration of each stay are not necessarily the same. Travellers should check the conditions printed on their visa before planning repeated or extended visits.

Changes to India's Medical Visa Categories

India has also reorganised its Medical Visa framework. The revised system keeps separate provisions for conventional medical treatment and treatment under AYUSH systems.

The main medical visa sub-categories are:

• M-1 Visa: For medical treatment other than treatment under AYUSH systems.
• M-2 Visa: For attendants accompanying M-1 Visa holders.
• M-3 Visa: For treatment under AYUSH systems.
• M-4 Visa: For attendants accompanying M-3 Visa holders.

Under the announced framework, M-1 and M-3 Visas, including their e-Visa variants, will ordinarily be granted for one year with multiple entries.

This can make travel more manageable for patients who need several consultations, follow-up visits or treatment in different stages. They may not need to apply for a completely new visa for every visit during the validity period, provided they continue to meet the visa conditions.

The separate attendant provisions also give eligible family members or support persons a clearer route when accompanying patients to India.

New Student Visa Categories for Foreign Students and Researchers

The Student Visa category has been consolidated into two broad sub-categories: S-1 and S-2. The revised structure separates regular education from research and other specified academic activities.

S-1 Student Visa

The S-1 Visa covers:

• School education.
• Graduate education.
• Postgraduate education.

Foreign students enrolled in eligible Indian educational institutions through the Study in India portal may receive an e-S1 Visa for up to five years or for the duration of their academic course, whichever is shorter. The announced provision allows multiple entries.

S-2 Student Visa

The S-2 Visa covers a wider range of academic and research activities, including:

• PhD and research scholars in Indian universities.
• Foreign research students visiting India for research.
• Visiting faculty.
• Scientific and anthropological expeditions.
• Internships.
• Student exchange programmes.
• Other specified academic activities.

The new structure gives students, researchers and educational institutions clearer categories to consider when planning academic visits to India. Applicants must still confirm that their course or activity qualifies under the relevant sub-category.

Business Visa Categories: B-1 and B-2 Explained

The Business Visa framework has also been reorganised. The revised structure separates long-term business activities from short-term, contract-based activities.

B-1 Business Visa

The B-1 Visa covers long-term, licence-based business activities. This includes foreign nationals seeking to establish an industrial or business venture in India.

B-2 Business Visa

The B-2 Visa covers short-term, contract-based business activities. These include:

• Production Investment Business.
• Attending conferences.
• Sports activities.
• Cultural and commercial performances.
• Film and documentary shoots.

A specific route for foreign technical specialists

The revised framework also provides a route for certain foreign specialists, engineers and technical personnel engaged by Indian companies. Their activities may include installation and commissioning, quality checks, essential maintenance, production support, IT and ERP ramp-up, training, supply-chain development, plant design and technical support.

Eligible professionals may be granted a Production Investment Business Visa under the B-2 category through the e-Visa platform. This activity was previously covered under the e-B4 nomenclature.

The distinction between B-1 and B-2 is intended to give businesses and foreign professionals greater clarity when planning long-term investments or short-term assignments in India.

What Does 70% Less Paperwork Actually Mean?

The government has announced a 65–70% reduction in the number of fields or columns applicants need to fill in across the 23 revised visa sub-categories.

In simple terms, the application forms are being shortened. Applicants may need to enter less information than before, while the essential details required for visa processing will remain.

The Ministry of Home Affairs says this exercise is intended to reduce the time and effort involved in completing an application. It is also expected to help authorities focus on the information needed to assess applications.

What will become easier?

• Fewer form fields: Applicants will have fewer information fields to complete.
• Clearer visa selection: Consolidated categories will make it easier to identify the right visa purpose.
• Less overlap: Similar travel purposes are grouped under a more organised framework.
• More focused processing: Shorter forms are intended to retain essential information while reducing unnecessary details.

Does 70% less paperwork mean 70% fewer documents?

No. The announced reduction refers to the number of fields in visa application forms. It does not mean that every applicant will need 70% fewer supporting documents.

Applicants may still need to provide documents relevant to their purpose of travel. These could include a valid passport, photographs, an invitation letter, admission confirmation, medical records, business documents or other supporting evidence, depending on the visa category and the applicant's circumstances.

The announcement also does not confirm a 70% reduction in visa fees, processing times or approval requirements. Applicants should not assume that a shorter form means automatic approval or fewer checks.

When Will the New Indian Visa Rules Take Effect?

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the reduction in visa categories took place on 27 August 2026. However, the revised framework still needs to be implemented across the government's visa technology systems.

According to the Ministry's announcement on 11 November 2026, the IT systems are being updated so that visas can be issued under the revised framework by the end of 2026.

This means travellers should pay attention to the transition period. The announcement of a revised framework does not necessarily mean that every applicant can use the new categories immediately.

Before applying, foreign nationals should:

1. Visit the official Indian visa website.
2. Check which application process is currently available for their nationality and purpose of travel.
3. Confirm whether the revised visa category has been introduced in the online system.
4. Read the latest eligibility rules and document requirements.
5. Use the correct application route instead of relying only on older articles or third-party information.

What Foreign Travellers Should Do Before Applying for an Indian Visa

Even with simpler categories and shorter forms, preparing a visa application carefully remains important. The right visa depends on what you plan to do in India, not just how long you intend to stay.

1. Identify the main purpose of your visit

Decide whether you are travelling for tourism, business, medical treatment, education, employment or another permitted purpose. If your trip involves more than one activity, check whether all planned activities are allowed under the visa you intend to apply for.

2. Check the correct visa category

Do not select a visa only because its name sounds suitable. A Visitor Visa, for example, has specific permitted activities. It should not be treated as a substitute for a Work Visa or any other category that requires separate permission.

3. Check your nationality's eligibility

Visa and e-Visa availability can depend on the applicant's nationality. India currently provides e-Visa facilities to eligible nationals of 172 countries, but this does not mean every nationality can use every e-Visa category.

4. Keep your documents ready

Check the current document list for your visa type. Make sure your passport details, photographs and supporting documents are clear and consistent. Students, medical travellers and business visitors may need additional evidence related to their purpose of travel.

5. Apply through the correct official channel

Use the official Indian visa portal to check the available application process. Be careful with websites that imitate government portals or promise guaranteed visa approval.

6. Read the visa conditions before travelling

Check the visa validity, permitted duration of stay, number of entries and any restrictions. A multiple-entry visa does not mean that a traveller can remain in India indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the new visa rules introduced by India in 2026?

India has reduced its main visa categories from 13 to 9 and sub-categories from 49 to 23. It has also reduced the number of fields in application forms by 65–70% across the revised sub-categories. The changes are intended to simplify visa selection and application forms for foreign nationals.

2. What are the nine main Indian visa categories?

The nine categories are Business, Diplomatic, Work, Journalist, Medical, Official, Student, Visitor and Miscellaneous Visas.

3. Has India replaced the Tourist Visa with a Visitor Visa?

Yes. Under the revised framework, the former Tourist Visa has been renamed the Visitor Visa. It covers tourism and certain other permitted short-term activities, including business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats and specified cultural courses.

4. What is the difference between V-1 and V-2 Visitor Visas?

The V-1 Visa is intended for short-term visits and is granted for 30 days with multiple entries. The V-2 Visa is meant for longer visits and may have a validity of one, five or ten years, as specified. It also covers mountaineering, for which a separate six-month multiple-entry provision is available.

5. Does the 70% reduction mean fewer supporting documents?

Not necessarily. The 65–70% reduction refers to the number of fields in visa application forms. Applicants may still need to submit supporting documents based on their nationality, visa category and purpose of travel.

6. What are the new Medical Visa categories?

The revised medical framework includes M-1 for treatment other than AYUSH and M-3 for AYUSH treatment. M-2 and M-4 are the corresponding attendant visa categories. M-1 and M-3 Visas, including their e-Visa variants, will ordinarily be granted for one year with multiple entries.

7. What are the new Student Visa categories?

The Student Visa framework has been divided into S-1 and S-2. S-1 covers school, graduate and postgraduate education. S-2 covers research scholars, visiting faculty, internships, exchange programmes and other specified academic activities.

8. Are the new Indian visa rules already in effect?

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the revised framework in August 2026 and shared further details on 11 November 2026. However, the government is still updating its IT systems. It expects visas under the revised framework to be issued by the end of 2026. Applicants should check the official portal for the current application process.

9. Can foreign nationals from all countries apply for an Indian e-Visa?

No. India's e-Visa facility is available to eligible nationals of 172 countries, subject to the applicable conditions. Applicants should check the official Indian visa portal to confirm whether their nationality and intended visa category are eligible.

10. Where can foreign travellers apply for an Indian visa?

Foreign travellers can check the official application process and eligibility requirements on the Indian Visa Online portal. They should use the official website and review the latest instructions before submitting an application.

Accuracy note: This article is based on the Ministry of Home Affairs announcement published through the Press Information Bureau on 11 November 2026. The revised framework is subject to implementation through the government's IT systems, which the Ministry expects to complete by the end of 2026. Visa categories, eligibility, validity and document requirements may vary by applicant and purpose of travel. Check the official Indian Visa Online portal for the latest requirements before applying.