India is introducing a major overhaul of its immigration framework, making it easier for international travellers, business professionals, students and medical visitors to navigate the country’s visa application process. Under the revised India visa rules 2026, the government has reduced the number of main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The changes also include renaming the existing Tourist Visa as the Visitor Visa, broadening the activities permitted under this category and simplifying documentation requirements for foreign nationals planning to visit India.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also reduced the number of fields required in visa application forms by approximately 65–70% across all 23 sub-categories. The move is expected to reduce paperwork, make applications more straightforward and improve processing efficiency. The revised framework is designed to support foreign tourist arrivals, medical value travel, international education and business engagement while providing clearer options for people travelling to India for different purposes.
Tourist Visa Renamed Visitor Visa with Two New Categories
One of the most notable changes is the renaming of India’s Tourist Visa as the Visitor Visa. The revised category recognises that international visitors may travel to India for several short-term purposes beyond conventional sightseeing and holidays, including business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats and cultural learning programmes.
The new Visitor Visa framework has been divided into two categories: V-1 and V-2, allowing applicants to select an option according to their travel requirements and intended duration of stay.
- V-1 Visa: This category is designed for short-term visits and will be granted for 30 days with multiple entries. Permitted activities include tourism, business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats, short-duration medical treatment and short courses in Indian languages, music, art and craft. Eligible short-duration yoga programmes are also covered.
- V-2 Visa: Intended for longer visits, this category offers validity of one, five or 10 years, as specified. It covers activities permitted under V-1 and mountaineering. A separate six-month multiple-entry provision applies to mountaineering visitors.
The broader Visitor Visa structure is expected to benefit travellers who combine leisure with other permitted activities during their stay. It also provides a clearer framework for visitors seeking wellness experiences, cultural programmes or short-term medical consultations in India.
The revised India visa framework also introduces changes for international students, researchers, investors and business professionals. The government has consolidated several existing provisions to make it easier for applicants to identify the appropriate visa for their intended activities.
Under the new student visa structure, the categories have been reorganised into two main options:
- S-1 Visa: Covers school, undergraduate and postgraduate education.
- S-2 Visa: Includes research and other specified academic activities, such as PhD programmes, visiting faculty assignments, internships and student exchange programmes.
Eligible international students admitted through the Study in India portal may also receive multiple-entry electronic S-1 visas valid for up to five years or for the duration of their academic course, whichever is shorter. This provision is expected to offer greater flexibility to international students pursuing higher education in India.
Business visas have similarly been streamlined into two categories. The B-1 Visa covers longer-term business activities, including establishing industrial or commercial ventures and undertaking activities requiring relevant licences. Meanwhile, the B-2 Visa covers short-term, contract-based business activities, including production investment, conferences,
India Reduces Visa Categories to Nine
Following the latest rationalisation, India’s visa framework will consist of nine principal categories, replacing the earlier 13-category structure. These include:
- Business Visa
- Diplomatic Visa
- Work Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Medical Visa
- Official Visa
- Student Visa
- Visitor Visa
- Miscellaneous Visa
The Miscellaneous Visa category covers specific groups, including people of Indian origin and their spouses and children, dependants of foreign nationals holding long-duration visas, individuals joining designated institutions such as the Auroville Foundation, and certain other eligible foreign nationals.
India’s existing e-Visa programme currently provides electronic travel authorisation to nationals of 172 countries across 13 sub-categories. The government intends to align its electronic visa services with the revised classification, making the application process more consistent across different travel purposes.
Revised Visa Framework Expected by the End of 2026
Although the rationalisation was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 27 August 2026, the government is currently updating its information technology systems to implement the revised arrangements. According to the ministry, visas under the new framework are expected to be issued by the end of 2026.
The reduction in application form fields is another important aspect of the exercise. By removing 65–70% of the information previously requested across the 23 sub-categories, authorities aim to reduce the time and effort involved in completing applications while retaining the essential details required for immigration assessment.
For international travellers, the changes could make planning visits to India more straightforward, particularly for those travelling for multiple permitted purposes. The reforms also support India’s wider efforts to attract overseas visitors, encourage international education, strengthen healthcare tourism and facilitate business investment.
