# India Visa 2026: main categories cut from 13 to 9, form columns down 65-70%

URL: https://kasba.co.in/en/story/india-visa-2026-main-categories-cut-from-13-to-9-form-column
Language: en · Section: Nation · Published: 2026-11-12
Source: PIB, "प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी के नेतृत्व और केन्द्रीय गृह मंत्री श्री अमित शाह के मार्गदर्शन में भारत सरकार ने भारतीय वीजा व्यवस्था को और सरल बनाया", 2026-11-11, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2335185

The Home Ministry on 27 August 2026 simplified India's visa system, cutting main visa categories from 13 to 9 and sub-categories from 49 to 23. Foreign nationals travelling to India are affected, and application forms for all 23 categories now have 65-70% fewer columns.

## What this means for you

This change is for foreign citizens who want to come to India — tourists, patients, students, researchers, investors and business professionals. If you live in India and are planning a trip abroad, this does not directly affect you. The notice says visas under the new system will start being issued by the end of the year.

## Key facts

- Main visa categories cut from 13 to 9
- Sub-categories cut from 49 to 23
- Form columns reduced by 65%-70% across all 23 categories
- Change made by the Home Ministry on 27 August 2026
- In October 2025, categories were cut from 22 to 13 and sub-categories from 63 to 49
- e-Visa available to citizens of 172 countries

## What has changed

The Home Ministry on 27 August 2026 simplified India's visa system. Main visa categories were cut from 13 to 9 and sub-categories from 49 to 23. According to the notice, this followed an earlier simplification in October 2025, when main categories were cut from 22 to 13 and sub-categories from 63 to 49.

The number of columns to be filled in visa application forms for all 23 categories has also been reduced by 65%-70%. The Ministry says this will cut the time and effort needed to complete an application.

## Who benefits

The change is for foreign nationals coming to India — tourists, patients, students, researchers, investors and business professionals. The notice says the aim is to boost arrivals of foreign tourists, medical value travel and foreign students. It adds that the changes reduce overlap between visa categories and make it easier to pick the right visa.

## What changed in each category

The earlier tourist visa is now called Visitor Visa, split into V-1 and V-2. V-1 covers short activities such as business meetings, medical consultation, wellness retreats, short medical treatment and short courses in Indian languages, music and arts and crafts; it is issued for 30 days with multiple entry. V-2 is for longer trips, valid for 1, 5 or 10 years, and also covers mountaineering.

Medical visas now have M-1 (treatment other than AYUSH systems) and M-3 (treatment under AYUSH systems), which can be issued by default for one year with multiple entry. Attendants get M-2 and M-4 visas. Student visas have S-1 for school, graduate and post-graduate study, while S-2 covers PhD and research scholars, visiting faculty, internships and exchange students. Students enrolled through the Study in India portal can get an e-S1 visa for up to five years or the course duration, whichever is shorter, with multiple entry.

Business visas are now B-1 (long-term, licence-based work) and B-2 (short-term, contract-based work). Foreign experts coming to Indian companies for installation, quality checks, training and technical support can get a Production Investment Business visa under B-2, earlier called e-B4.

## When it starts

The notice says the IT system upgrade to implement the changes is in its final stage and visas under the new system will start being issued by the end of the year. e-Visa is currently available to citizens of 172 countries.

## Questions and answers

**What has changed in the India visa system in 2026?**
Main visa categories have been cut from 13 to 9 and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The number of columns in application forms for all 23 categories has also been reduced by 65%-70%.

**When will the new visa system start?**
According to the notice, the IT system upgrade is in its final stage and visas under the new system will start being issued by the end of the year.

**Does this affect Indian citizens?**
The simplification is for foreign nationals coming to India. The notice does not mention any change for Indian citizens.

**What happened to the tourist visa?**
The earlier tourist visa is now called Visitor Visa, split into V-1 and V-2. V-1 is issued for 30 days with multiple entry, while V-2 is valid for 1, 5 or 10 years.

**What changed in the medical visa?**
M-1 covers treatment other than AYUSH systems and M-3 covers treatment under AYUSH systems. Both can be issued by default for one year with multiple entry, and attendants get M-2 and M-4 visas.

Kasba Desk, Kasba. This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing.