India has introduced two special visa categories for foreign students seeking higher education in its academic institutions. The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched the ‘e-student visa’ and ‘e-student-x visa’ to encourage foreign students to study in India and simplify the visa process.
These new visas are part of the Study in India (SII) program and are available to students registered on the SII portal who wish to pursue regular, full-time undergraduate, postgraduate, Ph.D., or other formal courses in accredited Indian institutions. The e-student-x visa is intended for dependents of those holding an e-student visa.
Key Features of the e-Student Visa:
- The visa is valid for up to 5 years, depending on the course duration.
- It can be extended while staying in India.
- Visa holders can enter India through any immigration check post.
- Foreign students cannot apply for study in India without an SII ID.
Application Process:
- Register on the Study in India (SII) portal by providing details such as name, country, birth date, mobile number, and email ID.
- Upon registration, students receive a unique SII ID for tracking their application.
- Apply separately for the visa via indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Who Benefits?
This initiative will benefit foreign students interested in joining over 600 partner institutions offering 8,000+ courses in fields like engineering, management, agriculture, science, arts, law, yoga, and Buddhist studies. Students can choose from a variety of degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. courses.