India has introduced two new visa categories—e-student visa and e-student-x visa—designed to streamline the admission process for international students pursuing education in the country. This initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs aims to enhance India’s appeal as an education hub, particularly for students from the subcontinent and African countries, who form a significant portion of international learners in India.
Simplifying the Application Process
To access these visas, students must register on the Study in India (SII) portal, a Ministry of Education initiative. The portal simplifies admissions to over 600 partner institutions offering a wide range of courses across disciplines such as engineering, management, science, law, and specialized fields like Yoga and Buddhist Studies.
International students can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or certification programs under this initiative. Dependents of students granted the e-student visa are eligible for the corresponding e-student-x visa, further enhancing support for international learners.
Eligibility and Application Process
The eligibility requirements include receiving an admission offer from a partner institution listed on the SII portal. The process involves:
- Registration on the SII portal to obtain a unique SII ID.
- Submission of the visa application through the Indian visa online portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in).
- Verification of documents using the SII ID to confirm authenticity.
The SII portal also provides personalized dashboards for students to monitor their admissions and visa applications, ensuring a transparent and efficient process.
Study in India Initiative
The Study in India program aims to position India as a preferred education destination, attracting talent from around the globe. With the introduction of these new visas, the program is expected to expand access for international students and strengthen India’s educational ties with other nations.
This initiative reflects India’s commitment to fostering global educational exchange while simplifying administrative hurdles for international students.
