India overhauls visa system: 'Tourist' becomes 'Visitor' as categories shrink from 13 to 9

The Indian government has brought major changes to its visa system to remove long-standing complications in the application process and bring it in line with international standards. As part of the reform, the main visa categories have been reduced from 13 to nine, and the subcategories have been cut from 49 to 23.

Under the decision of India's Ministry of Home Affairs, the visa application form has also been changed significantly. In the forms for the new 23 subcategories, the required information columns have been reduced by 65 to 70 percent, so that applicants no longer have to provide unnecessary information.

Under the new structure, India will issue visas in nine main categories: business, diplomatic, employment, journalist, medical, official, student, visitor and miscellaneous. The Indian government expects the changes to reduce applicants' hassle in providing information and make the whole process easier.

The most notable change in the new system is in the tourist visa. The former 'Tourist Visa' has been renamed 'Visitor Visa'. Under this visa, holders can not only travel, but also attend short-term business meetings, consult doctors, join wellness activities and take short courses in Indian languages, music, arts and crafts.

The Visitor Visa has been divided into two classes, V-1 and V-2. The V-1 visa will be valid for 30 days with multiple entry into India. The V-2 visa, depending on the applicant's needs and eligibility, may be valid for one, five or ten years, and can also be used for long-term tourism and mountaineering.

Special arrangements have also been kept in the new rules for foreign nationals travelling to India for medical treatment and their attendants. The M-1 visa will be issued for general treatment and the M-3 visa for Ayush treatment; these will generally be valid for one year with multiple entry into India.

For relatives or attendants travelling with a patient, the M-2 visa will apply for general treatment and the M-4 visa for Ayush treatment. This will reduce the need for patients and their helpers to apply for visas again and again.

Visa types have also been specified separately for students. The S-1 visa will be issued for studies from school level to postgraduate level, and the S-2 visa for PhD, research, visiting teaching and internships. Foreign students admitted through the 'Study in India' portal will receive the e-S1 visa. With multiple entry, this visa may be valid for up to five years or for the duration of the course.

Business visas have also been split into two classes, B-1 and B-2. The B-1 visa will apply to setting up a business in India and long-term business ventures. The B-2 visa will be issued for short-term business contracts, conferences, sports, stage performances and film-related work.

At the same time, special facilities have been kept for foreign engineers and technical experts travelling to install machinery, carry out maintenance, support production activities and provide IT support at Indian companies. Through the e-visa, they will be able to obtain a 'Production Investment Business Visa' under the B-2 class.

Under the new visa structure, the existing visa arrangements for diplomats, journalists, UN officials and persons of Indian origin have been kept in place under their prescribed rules.

According to India's Ministry of Home Affairs, the reform has been introduced to align the system with international standards and to end applicants' suffering. Work is currently under way to update the visa-related technical and IT systems in line with the new structure.