The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has launched two new visa categories—’e-student visa’ and ‘e-student-x visa’—to facilitate international students seeking higher education in the country. Officials announced that applicants must utilize the ‘Study in India’ (SII) portal to access these visa benefits.
Foreign students registered on the SII portal are eligible to apply for the e-student visa, while dependents accompanying these students can apply for the e-student-x visa.
The SII portal simplifies the admission process for international students seeking both long-term and short-term courses in India.
To qualify, students must first register on the SII portal and secure an admission offer from one of the listed partner institutions. They can then proceed to apply for the visa via the official Indian visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in). A unique SII ID, generated during registration, serves as a crucial identifier for verifying and tracking visa applications.
The e-student visa is issued to students enrolled in recognised undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or certificate programs at Indian institutions. These visas are valid for up to five years and can be extended within India. Visa holders can enter the country through any designated immigration check post.
The Study in India (SII) program, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, partners with over 600 institutions and offers more than 8,000 courses across various disciplines. These include engineering, management, sciences, arts, and specialized fields such as Yoga and Buddhist Studies. With programs available at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, the initiative provides ample opportunities for international students to pursue their academic aspirations in India.
, designed to support international students in Indian institutions. Applicants must register on the SII portal, secure admission, and apply via the Indian visa portal. Visas are valid for up to five years, with extensions available.){kind=link}