The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has announced two new special visa categories – the ‘e-student visa’ and the ‘e-student-x visa’, to simplify the process for international students seeking higher education in Indian institutions. These visas aim to attract students from across the globe through the Ministry of Education’s ‘Study in India’ (SII) initiative, which connects foreign learners with over 600 partner institutions offering more than 8,000 courses.
According to an officials, to avail of these visas, students must register on the SII portal, which streamlines admission for both short-term and long-term courses in India. Applicants need to receive an admission offer from one of the listed partner institutes on the portal before applying for their visa through the Indian visa application website.
Apart from registering on SII portal, students are required to receive an admission offer from one of its partner institutes. Afterward, they can apply for a visa through indianvisaonline.gov.in. The SII ID, generated during registration, is essential for verifying applications and tracking progress.
The e-student visa is issued to students who enrol in recognised undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or certificate programmes at Indian institutions. These visas are valid for up to five years and can be extended within India if required. Dependents of the e-student visa holders are eligible for the e-student-x visa. Both visa categories allow entry into India through any designated immigration check post.
The portal ensures a straightforward registration process, requiring basic details such as the applicant’s name, country, and email. This platform facilitates admission and makes the process transparent and accessible for international students aspiring to study in India.
