Government simplifies application process by reducing visa categories

The Government of India has simplified the visa system by making major changes, reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to 9 and sub-categories from 49 to 23, according to a report by ANI.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also revamped the visa application form, resulting in a 65% to 70% reduction in the number of required columns or fields. The primary objective of this move is to reduce the time and effort required by foreign nationals to complete applications. Additionally, it is expected to improve administrative efficiency through more focused scrutiny and processing.

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the government has simplified the visa system by reducing main visa categories from 13 to 9 and sub-categories from 49 to 23. This change aims to make the system more consistent and responsive to the needs of foreign nationals visiting India. To implement all these changes, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently updating the IT system, and visas will be issued according to the new streamlined method by the end of the year.

The nine newly revised categories include Business, Diplomatic, Work, Journalist, Medical, Official, Student, Visitor, and Miscellaneous visas. Before making these changes, the Ministry of Home Affairs studied the visa systems of developed countries and global standards. According to officials, applying uniform travel purposes will make it easier for applicants to identify the correct category.

Currently, India offers e-visas to citizens of 172 countries under 13 sub-categories. In the new arrangement, the existing Tourist Visa has been renamed 'Visitor Visa' and divided into two categories, V-1 and V-2. The V-1 category is for short visits such as tourism, business meetings, medical, wellness, and short-term cultural or language studies, which will have a validity of 30 days with multiple entry. The V-2 category is for long visits, which will have a validity of 1, 5, or 10 years and also includes mountaineering.

Medical visas include traditional treatment under M-1 and AYUSH treatment under M-3, with both cases providing entry with multiple entry for one year. M-2 and M-4 visas are available for those accompanying the patient. Student visas have also been integrated into two categories: S-1 is for school and higher education, while S-2 is for research scholars, visiting faculty, internships, and exchange students. Eligible students can obtain e-S1 visas for up to five years or the duration of their studies by registering through the 'Study in India' portal.

Business visas have also been divided into two parts: B-1 is for long-term licence-based activities and B-2 is for short-term contract-based business engagements. The Production Investment Business Visa, previously issued as e-B4, will now be available under B-2. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, this revised structure is likely to be implemented by the end of this year.