IATO welcomes simplification of Indian visa regime

New Delhi: The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has welcomed the announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, regarding the simplification and rationalization of India's visa regime, describing it as a 'significant' and 'much-needed' step towards making India a more 'accessible' and 'visitor-friendly' destination for international tourists.

Under the revised framework, the main visa categories have been reduced from 13 to 9, while the subcategories have been brought down from 49 to 23. The number of application fields across various categories has also been reduced by approximately 65–70%. The existing Tourist Visa will be renamed the Visitor Visa, with the new V-1 category providing for 30-day multiple-entry visits and covering a wider range of eligible short-term activities. The V-2 category will offer longer validity. Medical and Business Visa categories are also being simplified.

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"We sincerely thank both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism for their efforts in bringing about this much-needed simplification of India's visa procedures. IATO has been consistently raising this issue at various government forums and meetings, as cumbersome visa procedures have often been a concern for international travellers and overseas tour operators," said Ravi Gosain, president, IATO.

"We have been pursuing this matter through regular interactions and follow-ups with both Ministries, and it is encouraging to see these efforts translating into a positive outcome," he added.

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IATO said it believes that these changes will help reduce procedural complexities, improve the overall visa application experience and encourage more international visitors to consider India for holidays, cultural experiences, business and other eligible purposes.

Gosain said he hoped that the revised framework will be implemented smoothly and within the announced timeline so that its benefits reach international travellers at the earliest.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has indicated that the necessary IT systems are being updated and that visas under the revised framework are expected to be issued by the end of 2026.