The Government of India has given a gift to those foreign students who want to pursue higher education in the top educational institutions of the country. The Home Ministry has said that two special categories of visas have been introduced for foreign students. These students will be eligible for ‘e-Student Visa’ and ‘e-Student X Visa’. The Home Ministry has said that foreign students will have to use the ‘Study in India’ portal launched by the government to avail this facility.
Students registered on SII portal can avail e-Visa facility and apply for it. Whereas e-Student Visa holders will get the benefit of e-Student X Visa facility. SII portal simplifies the admission process for international students who want to apply for long-term and short-term courses in Indian educational institutions. The government has said that apart from registering on the SII portal, students are also required to obtain an admission offer from one of its partner educational institutions. Only after this they can apply for visa.
You can apply like this
The Home Ministry said that students wishing to apply will have to apply separately for the visa through Indianvisaonline.gov.in. However, the visa application will be verified only through the SII ID generated during registration. That means, registration on SII portal is mandatory for visa application.
What will be the visa period?
Officials said the e-student visa is issued to foreign students who wish to take admission in undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral or certificate programs in recognized educational institutions in India. The e-Student Visa will be valid for five years, which can be extended in India. E-student visa holders can enter the country through any immigration checkpoint. India’s SII program includes more than 600 educational institutions offering more than 8,000 courses in specialized fields such as engineering, management, science, arts, yoga and Buddhist studies.
