India relaxes visa rules to ease the entry of foreign nationals

In a bid to simplify the entry of foreign nationals in the country, the Indian Home Ministry has relaxed India’s visa rules, giving visitors flexibility in terms of permitted activities.
As per the latest news reports, the major visa categories have now been scaled down from 26 to 21, by clubbing along some categories into common groups. These include combining categories, such as project and employment visas, medical attendant and medical visas, internship and research with student visas, and sports with business visas.

Further, the number of sub-categories of visa has also been scaled down from 104 to 65 by merging certain segments. Referring to this development, the Tourism Ministry recently told the travel associations that amendments have been made in specific provisions in the visa manual to facilitate the stay and entry of legitimate visitors from overseas.
The ministry also stated that these include permitting a foreign national on a tourist visa to attend an international conference, and also expanding the possibilities of other activities permitted under e-tourist and tourist visas. Earlier, it used to be a struggle to attain a conference visa; however, the introduction of these changes will enable legitimate tourists to attend business conferences if there is a need, and a single medical visa will also do away with the need for a separate medical attendant visa.
As per travel experts, the new visa rules or visa changes will boost MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions); further, promote medical tourism in the country and simplify entry requirements.