NEW DELHI: The Centre has simplified India’s visa regime, reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23, in a move aimed at making travel, education and medical treatment in the country easier for foreign nationals.The ministry of home affairs (MHA), in a press release on Wednesday, said the number of fields to be filled in visa application forms across all 23 sub-categories has been reduced by 65-70%, making the process easier, faster and more applicant-friendly.This follows an earlier rationalisation in October 2025, when the number of main visa categories was reduced from 22 to 13 and sub-categories from 63 to 49.Student visa category reorganisedAs part of the changes, the Student Visa category has been consolidated into two broad sub-categories — S-1 and S-2.The S-1 Visa covers school, graduate and post-graduate education, while the S-2 Visa covers PhD scholars and research students in Indian universities, visiting faculty, foreign research students visiting India, scientific and anthropological expeditions, internships and exchange programmes, among other specified academic activities.
Foreign students enrolled in Indian educational institutions through the Study in India portal may be granted an e-S1 Visa for up to five years or for the duration of their academic course, whichever is shorter. The visa will allow multiple entries.Under the revised framework, the erstwhile Tourist Visa has been renamed the Visitor Visa. Provisions relating to medical, student and business visas have also been reorganised.The MHA is updating its information technology systems to implement the revised framework, with visas under the new system expected to be issued by the end of 2026.