India Introduces Major Visa Reforms, Replaces Tourist Visa with ‘Visitor Visa’

The Indian government has introduced major reforms to simplify the visa application process for foreign nationals. Under the new system, the number of main visa categories will be reduced from 13 to nine, while the number of fields in application forms will be cut by 65 to 70 per cent. A new ‘Visitor Visa’ will be introduced for foreign nationals travelling to India for tourism, medical treatment, education and business purposes.

On Wednesday (November 11), India's Ministry of Home Affairs outlined the details of the revised visa framework. According to the government's plan, the new system could become operational by the end of 2026.

Visitor Visa to Replace Tourist Visa

Under the new framework, the existing Tourist Visa will be renamed the ‘Visitor Visa’. The new category will cover not only tourism but also short-term business meetings, medical consultations, short-term treatment, wellness activities and courses in Indian languages, music, arts and handicrafts.

The Visitor Visa will be divided into two subcategories: V-1 and V-2.

The V-1 visa will be valid for 30 days and allow multiple entries into India. The V-2 visa, meanwhile, will be issued for one, five or 10 years, depending on the applicant's eligibility. A special six-month multiple-entry visa will also be available for mountaineering activities.

New Facilities for Medical and Student Visas

Changes have also been introduced for foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in India. Separate visa categories will be available for general medical treatment and traditional AYUSH therapies, including Ayurveda.

The M-1 and M-3 visas will generally be valid for one year, with multiple-entry facilities under both categories. Separate visa arrangements will also be available for family members and attendants accompanying patients.

Student visas will be divided into two subcategories: S-1 and S-2. The S-1 category will cover studies at school, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The S-2 category will include PhD researchers, visiting faculty members, research students, interns and participants in exchange programmes.

Additionally, eligible foreign students admitted through the ‘Study in India’ portal may receive an e-S1 visa valid for up to five years or for the duration of their academic programme.

Changes to Business Visa Categories

Business visas will also be divided into two subcategories: B-1 and B-2.

The B-1 visa will cover long-term business activities and the establishment of industrial ventures in India.

The B-2 visa, on the other hand, will be available for short-term business agreements, conferences, sporting events, cultural programmes and film production activities.

Additional provisions have also been introduced for foreign engineers, technicians and specialists. These will allow them to participate in industrial plant installation, machinery commissioning, training and technology transfer activities in India.

Simplified Visa Application Process

Under the revised framework, the number of main visa categories will be reduced from 13 to nine, while the number of subcategories will decrease from 49 to 23. The number of fields requiring information in visa application forms will also be reduced by 65 to 70 per cent.

The nine main visa categories under the new system will be Business, Diplomatic, Employment, Journalist, Medical, Official, Student, Visitor and Miscellaneous.

Currently, citizens of 172 countries are eligible for India's e-Visa facility. Preparations are underway to upgrade the necessary information technology infrastructure to implement the revised system.

However, no specific announcement has yet been made regarding when the new Visitor Visa system will become available to Bangladeshi applicants or how it will affect existing visa arrangements for them.