India plans visa overhaul, may cut categories from 13 to nine

The government is considering simplifying the visa system by reducing the number of categories and streamlining application forms.

Visa & Entry India◔ Developing📰 4 sources⏱ 1 min read

By SafarSamachar Desk5 Nov 2026, 7:42 pm IST

Illustration of a modern city skyline from above with green hills and a river. — Illustration: SafarSamachar Pix Desk, created with AI assistance. Not a photograph of the event.

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Key facts at a glance

1India is planning a visa overhaul
2The number of visa categories may be reduced from 13 to nine
3The changes aim to simplify applications and align with global norms

India is set to trim its visa framework from 13 categories down to nine, a move that could streamline how travelers apply.

The proposal seeks to make forms easier and bring the country in line with global best practices. How the categories will merge or what new rules may emerge remains unspecified, and officials have not yet released an implementation schedule.

What this means for Indian travellers

Indian travellers should watch for updates on the new visa categories and application forms, as the changes are not yet implemented and details remain unclear at this time.

Sources

This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above, following our accuracy rules; it has not yet been individually reviewed by an editor. Read our editorial policy.Rules and schedules change - confirm with the airline or embassy before you travel. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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