India Visa Rules are set to become simpler as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced a major change in the country’s visa system. On 11 November 2026, the government announced a reduction in the number of main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The revised rules were approved on 27 August 2026 and are expected to become operational by the end of 2026. The main aim of this change is to make the visa application process easier, reduce paperwork and improve services for foreign visitors.

India Reduces Visa Categories from 13 to Nine

The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced changes to simplify India’s visa structure. Under the revised system, the number of main visa categories will decrease from 13 to nine. Similarly, the number of sub-categories will be reduced from 49 to 23.

This change is expected to make it easier for foreign nationals to understand which visa they need for travelling to India. It will also reduce confusion caused by multiple visa types and similar application requirements.

The latest reform follows an earlier decision taken in October 2025, when the government reduced the number of main visa categories from 22 to 13. The new changes continue the government’s efforts to make immigration services more organised and user-friendly.

Tourist Visa Renamed as Visitor Visa

One of the important changes is the renaming of the Tourist Visa as the Visitor Visa. The revised Visitor Visa system will have different sub-categories based on the purpose and duration of a person’s visit.

The V-1 sub-category will cover short-term visits of up to 30 days and allow multiple entries. This option is expected to help foreign visitors who need to travel to India for short periods.

The V-2 sub-category will cover longer visits. It will offer visa validity options of one year, five years or ten years, depending on the applicable rules.

The government has also introduced a six-month multiple-entry visa provision for mountaineering activities. This change is expected to make travel arrangements easier for foreign mountaineers who wish to explore India’s mountain regions.

Medical Visa Rules Made Easier

Medical travel is another important area covered by the revised India Visa Rules. Under the new system, medical visas, including electronic medical visas, will generally be issued for one year with multiple-entry facilities.

The revised arrangements cover different types of medical treatment. The M-1 category will apply to conventional medical treatment, while the M-3 category will cover treatment under AYUSH systems.

AYUSH includes traditional Indian healthcare systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.

The longer validity and multiple-entry facility are expected to help international patients who need regular medical visits, follow-up treatment or longer healthcare arrangements in India.

India has become an important destination for medical tourism because of its hospitals, specialised doctors and traditional healthcare services. Simplifying medical visa procedures may make it more convenient for international patients and their families to visit the country.

Visa Application Forms to Have Fewer Fields

Another major improvement under the revised rules is the reduction in the number of fields in visa application forms.

The government plans to reduce the number of fields by around 65 to 70 per cent across the 23 revised categories and sub-categories.

This step is expected to make online applications shorter and easier to complete. Foreign applicants may spend less time providing information and completing formalities.

Reducing unnecessary information requirements can also help improve the overall application experience. The government aims to make the visa process more convenient while maintaining the necessary security and immigration checks.

New Visa System Expected by the End of 2026

The revised visa system is expected to become operational by the end of 2026. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs must first complete the required information technology upgrades.

These upgrades are important because visa applications, immigration records and related services depend on digital systems. The updated system will need to support the revised categories and application forms.

Once the changes become operational, foreign nationals applying for Indian visas are expected to benefit from a simpler and more organised process.

Role of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Visa Services

The Ministry of Home Affairs plays an important role in managing India’s visa and immigration policies. Its Foreigners Division handles several matters related to foreign nationals, including visas, immigration, citizenship and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI).

The division also deals with foreign contribution-related matters. Its responsibilities help the government manage the entry, stay and movement of foreign nationals in the country.

India also provides digital services through the e-FRRO portal. The portal allows eligible foreign nationals to submit online requests for services such as registration, visa extensions and exit permits.

Foreign nationals holding Indian visas for more than 180 days generally need to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within 14 days of arrival, unless they are exempt under the applicable rules.

Digital Visa Services and Easier Travel to India

India has been expanding its digital immigration services to make travel procedures more convenient. Electronic visas, commonly known as e-Visas, allow eligible foreign nationals to apply online before travelling to India.

An electronic visa is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport number. It does not require a visa sticker or stamp to be placed in the passport before travel.

The latest visa reforms are part of India’s wider efforts to improve digital public services and make international travel more convenient. By reducing visa categories, simplifying application forms and improving medical and visitor visa facilities, the government aims to create a more accessible immigration system.

These changes may benefit tourists, medical travellers, mountaineers and other foreign visitors who plan to visit India for different purposes.