India's Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to introduce major changes to India's visa system, reducing the main visa categories and reducing the amount of information required to be filled out in application forms.
Under the new system, the tourist visa has been renamed to "Visitor Visa," and the process of obtaining visas for those traveling for medical treatment and education has been further eased. Once the technological changes are completed, these regulations will come into effect before the end of this year.
Under the visa agreement between the Maldives and India, Maldivians traveling to India for tourism, business, and medical purposes already receive an on-arrival visa for a period of 90 days within six months without needing to obtain a visa in advance. Furthermore, except for emergency visas, all visas issued to Maldivians are issued free of charge.
Therefore, the on-arrival visa policy for Maldivians traveling for periods shorter than 90 days will remain as before. However, Maldivians who need to stay in India for longer than 90 days, as well as Maldivians who obtain visas in advance for education and long-term medical treatment, will receive significant relief due to the new changes.
The M-1 visa issued to those traveling for general medical treatment and the M-3 visa issued to those traveling for treatments such as Ayurveda will now be granted as a standard rule with a one-year multiple-entry validity. Additionally, M-2 and M-4 visas will be available separately for patients' attendants. As a result, this will reduce the burden on Maldivians requiring long-term treatment of having to renew their visas every time the 90-day period expires.
While the S-1 visa is designated for students studying at school, degree, and master's levels, students who secure admission through the Indian government's "Study in India" portal will receive a multiple-entry visa for five years or for the duration of the course. Meanwhile, the S-2 visa will be issued to students going for PhD research and internships.
Maldivians applying for visas through the Indian High Commission in Malé or online will now only need to fill out a form with information reduced by between 65 and 70 percent, instead of the lengthy application forms previously required.
Furthermore, the V-2 Visitor Visa, issued to those who wish to stay in India for more than 90 days or travel repeatedly, will have the option of being granted for a duration of one year, five years, or 10 years. Under this visa, holders will be permitted to participate in short business meetings, yoga, and short cultural courses.
While the B-1 visa is issued to those conducting business in India, those traveling for short-term conferences, sports tournaments, and IT and technical work will receive the B-2 visa.
