New Delhi, Nov 5:
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has restructured India’s visa regime, reducing the total number of primary visa categories from 13 to nine.
Alongside categorisation reforms, the ministry has pruned lengthy application paperwork, trimming visa forms by nearly 70% to eliminate redundant fields and expedite vetting timelines.
Under the streamlined framework, multiple overlapping categories have been consolidated into unified classifications, allowing foreign visitors, scholars, business delegates, and tourists to navigate simplified clearance channels.
The digital onboarding and consular systems are also being aligned with the restructured format, integrating faster document verification and reducing clearance delays.
Officials noted that the overhaul forms part of broader administrative reforms to position India as a globally accessible destination for trade, investment, and academic collaboration.