Centre simplifies visa regime: Paperwork cut by 70%, categories reduced from 13 to 9
· India · Times of India, ANI, The Hindu
The Centre has reduced India's main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23, effective August 27, 2026, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The revised framework cuts application form fields by 65-70% across all 23 sub-categories, making travel, education and medical entry easier for foreign nationals. Student visas have been consolidated into two sub-categories — S-1 for school, graduate and post-graduate education, and S-2 for PhD scholars, research students and academic exchanges. The former Tourist Visa is now called the Visitor Visa, with provisions for medical, student and business visas also reorganised.
Why it matters
Foreign nationals seeking education, medical treatment or business travel in India will face a simpler application process with reduced paperwork and consolidated visa categories, directly benefiting students, patients and business travelers.
Read the original report — Times of India
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