India Overhauls Visa System, Bringing Benefits for Maldivians Seeking Longer Stays

India's Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to bring major changes to India's visa system, reducing the main visa categories and reducing the information that must be filled in application forms. Under the new system, the tourist visa has been renamed "Visitor Visa," and the process for obtaining visas for those travelling for medical treatment and study has been made easier. Once the technological changes are completed, the rules will begin to be implemented before the end of this year. Under the visa agreement between the Maldives and India, Maldivians travelling to India for tourism, business and medical purposes can currently obtain an on-arrival visa valid for 90 days within a six-month period without applying for a visa in advance. Except for emergency visas, all visas issued to Maldivians are issued free of charge. Therefore, for Maldivians travelling for periods shorter than 90 days, the on-arrival visa rule will continue as before. However, Maldivians who need to stay in India for longer than 90 days, and those who travel after obtaining visas in advance for study and long-term medical treatment, will receive major benefits from the new changes. The M-1 visa issued to those travelling for general medical treatment and the M-3 visa issued to those travelling for treatments such as Ayurveda will now be available under the general rule with one-year multiple entry. And separately, M-2 and M-4 visas will be available for the patient's attendants. This will also reduce the burden on Maldivians who need to seek treatment for long periods having to renew their visa every time 90 days is reached. While the S-1 visa is dedicated to students studying at school, degree and master's levels, students who obtain admission through the Indian government's "Study in India" portal will receive a multiple entry visa for five years or the duration of the course. And students travelling for PhD research and internships will be issued the S-2 visa. Maldivians applying for visas through the Indian High Commission in Malé or online will now have to fill a form with information reduced by between 65 and 70 percent, instead of the long application forms that previously had to be filled. In addition, the V-2 Visitor Visa issued to those who wish to stay in India for more than 90 days or who travel repeatedly will have the opportunity to be obtained for a period of one year, five years or 10 years. And under that visa, participation in short business meetings, yoga and short cultural courses will be possible. While the B-1 visa is issued to parties conducting business in India, the B-2 visa will be available to parties travelling for short-term conferences, sports tournaments, and IT and technical work.