India rebrands tourist visa as visitor visa, introduces two sub-categories

The new system allows applicants to choose between V-1 and V-2 visas based on the nature and duration of their visit.

Visa & Entry India 📰 2 sources⏱ 1 min read

By SafarSamachar Desk11 Nov 2026, 9:34 pm IST

Illustration of a modern city skyline with government buildings and green spaces from an aerial view. — Illustration: SafarSamachar Pix Desk, created with AI assistance. Not a photograph of the event.

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Key facts at a glance

1Tourist visa renamed as visitor visa
2Visitor visa divided into two sub-categories: V-1 and V-2
3Applicants can select a visa based on the nature and duration of their proposed visit

India has renamed the tourist visa as a visitor visa and split it into V-1 and V-2, giving travelers a clear choice based on their visit's purpose and length.

The change is meant to make the visa process more user-friendly and attractive for foreign visitors, streamlining applications by aligning visa types with travel purposes.

What this means for Indian travellers

By offering two distinct visitor visas, India simplifies choice for travelers.

Sources

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