India is reportedly considering a major simplification of its visa application forms, including a possible 70% cut in required fields across all 22 visa categories. Existing procedures remain unchanged until authorities make an official announcement.

Government discussions focus on shorter visa forms

Applying for a visa to India could become less time-consuming from 2027 if changes now under discussion are adopted. The Hindu reported on November 3, 2026, citing several government officials, that India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has held multiple meetings on further easing visa procedures for foreign nationals.

The reported objective is to make forms easier and quicker to complete by removing information that officials view as repetitive, unnecessary or poorly aligned with the way international travellers provide administrative details. The changes would apply broadly rather than to a single travel purpose, covering all 22 existing visa categories.

According to a senior government official cited by The Hindu, the redesigned forms could reduce the number of required fields by around 70%. The new format would be intended to better match international norms while cutting down on duplicate questions.

Redundant fields may be removed, but security checks remain

India’s current electronic visa process can require applicants to work through as many as nine pages of information. Alongside personal information and travel plans, applicants are asked background questions, including whether they have been involved in criminal activity, terrorism, espionage or political violence.

The measures under consideration are focused mainly on administrative fields. No change to security screening requirements has been announced so far. One field reportedly being considered for removal is “District”, which officials see as difficult to apply to travellers from countries with administrative structures that differ from India’s.

Rules on providing a local address in India may also be eased. Under the possible adjustment, tourists could more easily enter the address of a hotel or guesthouse instead of navigating a more rigid address format.

Evening lamps along the Varanasi ghats beside the Ganges with boats moored near stone steps under a hazy sky
India’s tourism sector has urged further easing of e-Visa and permit procedures for international visitors.

Tourism sector wants wider e-Visa reforms

India has already made several recent changes to its electronic visa system. Since December 18, 2025, travellers have been able to apply for a 30-day e-Tourist Visa up to 120 days before arrival, compared with the previous 30-day application window. In June 2026, the 30-day e-Tourist Visa was also changed to allow multiple entries, replacing the earlier limit of two entries.

Even with those updates, tourism industry representatives are pressing for additional steps to make India easier to visit. Their proposals include extending e-Visa access to Chinese nationals, who are currently not eligible for the system, and allowing travellers to obtain certain regional permits at the same time as their visa rather than through a separate process.

Those permits include Protected Area Permits and Restricted Area Permits, known as PAP and RAP, which are required for entry into some sensitive parts of India. Tourism professionals are also calling for visa forms to be offered in more languages, including Spanish, German and Italian. These proposals have not been formally adopted by the Indian government.

Earlier official report flagged e-Visa problems

The latest discussions follow earlier recommendations from an official study published on June 30, 2026, by NITI Aayog in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Tourism. The report, titled Unlocking Growth in Tourism and Hospitality Sector, identified problems in the e-Visa system, including complex forms, repeated requests for information and technical issues on the application portal.

That report also recommended examining a phased rollout of a 90-day, multiple-entry tourist visa on arrival for nationals of selected countries. The Hindu’s reporting adds more specific detail on what is now being considered, particularly the proposed 70% reduction in fields across all visa categories and a possible 2027 rollout. Indian authorities have not officially confirmed those measures.

Current visa rules still apply

For now, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration have not announced any changes to India’s visa application forms. Travellers must continue to use the existing procedures, including the official Indian Visa Online system for e-Visa applications for tourism, business and medical travel.

Passport holders from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia generally still need a visa before travelling to India unless they qualify for a specific exemption. Foreign travellers must also complete a digital e-Arrival Card within the 72 hours before arrival.

Since June 25, 2026, international passengers have also been required to complete the Air Suvidha 2.0 health declaration before clearing immigration. The measure was reintroduced as part of enhanced health surveillance linked to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and is separate from the e-Arrival Card.

If implemented, a major reduction in form fields would remove a common source of friction for visitors and could support India’s wider tourism ambitions. Until an official rollout is announced, travellers should plan around the current application process and document requirements.