New Delhi : In a major move to make India more accessible to international visitors, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s visa system.
Under the revamped framework announced on November 11, 2026, the number of primary visa categories will be reduced from 13 to nine, while sub-categories will be consolidated from 49 to 23.
The government is also planning to reduce application form fields by 65% to 70%, aiming to simplify procedures, eliminate overlapping classifications and speed up visa processing.
The reform is expected to strengthen India’s appeal as a destination for international tourists, medical travellers, investors and foreign students.
Tourist Visa Rebranded as Visitor Visa
One of the key changes is the renaming of the Tourist Visa as the Visitor Visa, divided into two categories:
- V-1 Visa: A 30-day multiple-entry visa covering short business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats, short-term medical treatment and short courses in Indian languages, music, arts, crafts and yoga.
- V-2 Visa: Intended for eligible repeat visitors, offering validity of one, five or ten years. It covers all activities permitted under V-1, with additional provisions for mountaineering expeditions, for which a six-month multiple-entry visa is available.
Business Visa Framework Restructured
The existing Business Visa system has also been reorganised into two categories to distinguish long-term commercial ventures from short-term professional assignments.
- B-1 Visa: Designed for long-term, licence-based business activities, including setting up industrial manufacturing facilities and establishing corporate ventures in India.
- B-2 Visa: Covers short-term contractual assignments, conferences, sporting events, performing arts, film production and production-related investments. It also incorporates the Production Investment Business Visa, previously classified as e-B4, for foreign technical specialists, engineers, IT ramp-up professionals and plant commissioning personnel.
Focus on Easier Travel and Investment
With fewer visa classifications and significantly shorter application forms, the government aims to make India’s immigration framework more streamlined and user-friendly.
The broader objective is to facilitate international mobility, encourage foreign investment, attract medical tourists and strengthen India’s position as a global destination for education, business and tourism.
