India has trimmed its visa regime, reducing the number of categories from 13 to 9 and cutting the length of application forms by as much as 70%. The overhaul was announced on Aug 27 and will take effect by the end of 2026.

Among the changes is the renaming of the former Tourist Visa to Visitor Visa. Medical, student and business visa provisions have also been reorganised under new groupings.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is upgrading its IT systems so that the revised framework can be rolled out smoothly. Until then, current procedures remain unchanged.

The rationalisation extends beyond categories. Sub-categories have dropped from 49 to 23, a move intended to streamline legitimate travel for tourism, education, healthcare and economic engagement with India.