The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has announced plans to streamline the visa application process by cutting approximately 70% of the current form fields. The proposed overhaul will affect all 22 existing visa categories, aiming to bring India’s visa forms closer to international standards and reduce repetition.

Among the changes is the removal of administrative fields considered redundant, such as the ‘District’ field, and a relaxation of accommodation address requirements for tourists. Despite these simplifications, security‑related questions—covering criminal activity, terrorism or espionage—will remain part of the application process.

While officials indicated that the redesigned forms could be rolled out in 2027, no firm date has been set yet. In addition, India released a list of 32 African countries whose nationals are eligible to apply for its electronic visa (e‑Visa) in 2026, offering a streamlined entry pathway for travellers from those nations.