India has rationalised its 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 facilitating foreign tourist arrivals, medical travel and international student enrolment.
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs said the changes would make the visa framework more compact, coherent and responsive to the needs of foreign nationals visiting the country.
"Under Visa regime rationalization, main categories for visa reduced from 13 to nine and sub categories from 49 to 23," the ministry said on Wednesday.
The revised framework also reduces the number of fields applicants need to fill in visa application forms across all 23 sub-categories by 65 to 70%, making the application process easier and faster.
The changes are intended to minimise overlaps between visa categories and make it easier for visitors, patients, students, researchers, investors and business professionals to identify the appropriate visa for their travel purposes.
Under the revised medical visa framework, separate provisions have been retained for treatment under conventional and AYUSH systems.
The M-1 visa covers medical treatment other than that under AYUSH systems, while the M-3 visa is for treatment under AYUSH systems.
Both M-1 and M-3 visas, including their e-visa variants, will generally be granted for one year with multiple entries.
Corresponding medical attendant visas have also been introduced, with M-2 visas available for attendants of M-1 visa holders and M-4 visas for attendants of M-3 visa holders.
The erstwhile Tourist Visa has been renamed the Visitor Visa to reflect a broader range of permitted activities beyond conventional tourism.
The new Visitor Visa category has been divided into two sub-categories, V-1 and V-2, allowing applicants to choose according to the nature and duration of their proposed visit.
Apart from tourism, the category covers short-term activities such as business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats, short-duration medical treatment and short courses in Indian languages, music, art and craft.
The Visitor Visa is granted for 30 days with multiple entries, according to the ministry.
Currently, India's e-visa facility is processed through an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system under 13 sub-categories and is available to nationals of 172 countries.
The ministry said the rationalisation was intended to promote legitimate travel, education, healthcare and economic engagement with India through clearer, purpose-based visa options.
The initiative was undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, it added.