India Student Visa – Eligibility and Requirements

Are you an international student looking for an India student visa? If yes then you are at the right place. If you are from most countries, you will need a visa to visit India.

However, if you are from Bhutan, Maldives, or Nepal, you do not need a visa to visit India. When you are applying for a student visa to India, you will need to meet specific requirements. 

In this article, we will learn more about the India student visa, its application requirements, documents needed, visa cost, processing time, and more. Let’s get started. 

Key Takeaways

• A student visa is a document that allows you to study in another country. It is essential for studying abroad.
• India offers various types of student visas. This includes multi-travel, provisional, and special visas like S-8, S-6, and S-7, depending on the purpose of your study.
• Anyone planning to pursue full-time courses at recognized schools in India can apply for a student visa. This includes degree programs, language courses, and vocational courses.
• Students can switch courses up to three times, enroll in multiple courses at different schools, and engage in training or internships without special permission.
• Student visas can be valid for up to five years or the duration of the study program, with a maximum of four entries per academic year.
• The cost of an Indian student visa can vary. It is based on nationality and duration of stay. It is usually around 6,250 Indian Rupees or 70-75 USD for up to five years.
• Processing time ranges from 7 to 45 business days. This depends on the applicant’s nationality and embassy/consulate workload.
• Students may get extra chances to extend their visa if needed.
• Students can work in India with a student visa.
• Family members can also apply for visas to accompany the student.
• If the visa is rejected, applicants can reapply after addressing the reasons for rejection, such as incomplete documents or insufficient funds.

What is a Student Visa?

If you want to study in another country, you will need a student visa. It is like an official paper that lets you go to a different country for education. This visa is not for staying there forever. It is just for studying. So, if you dream of studying abroad, you must get a student visa.

Types of India Student Visa

When it comes to studying in different countries like Australia or the USA, you have got options for student visas. In Australia, there are 7 types, while the USA has 3, including F1, M1, and J1 visas. The F1 visa is for academic studies at approved schools or universities in the USA. 

If you are into vocational activities, the M1 visa is for you. And if you are a professor, researcher, or exchange visitor promoting cultural exchange, you might get a J-1 visa. These visas are not for living in the country forever. They are just for studying there. 

In India, they offer multi-travel student visas for genuine students wanting to study there. Also, there is a provisional student visa for those with provisional admission to Indian institutions. So, depending on your situation, you can pick the right India student visa for you.

1. Provisional Visa for Students

If you do not have a firm acceptance letter from a university or college in India, do not worry. You can still get a provisional student visa. This visa lasts for about six months at first. 

If you need more time, you can extend it for another six months. To do that, you just need to show that you have applied to the school and got a confirmation from them.

It is a way for you to start your journey of studying in India while you finalize your admission details. 

2. A Student Visa (S-8)

If you are interested in theological studies and want to come to India, you can apply for a special student visa called S-8. 

This visa is for people who want to study at certain universities. The visa lasts as long as your course, or up to one year, whichever is shorter. 

You can study at the following famous universities in India with this visa:

• Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
• University of Kolkata, Kolkata
• Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi
• Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi
• Osmania University, Hyderabad
• Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
• North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon
• University of Calicut, Calicut
• Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram
• University of Mumbai, Mumbai
• S. University of Baroda, Vadodara

3. A Student Visa (S-6)

If you are coming to India for special training or programs, you might need an S-6 visa. This visa is for people participating in different schemes like the Colombo Plan, government scholarships, or international organization sponsorships.

Depending on your program, the visa can last up to one year. It is also given to people joining the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training or military programs, no matter what type of passport they have.

If you are taking part in a UN-sponsored training for up to three months, you can also get this visa. And even serving defense personnel from foreign countries can apply for an S-6 visa if they are training at Indian defense establishments. 

4. A Student Visa (S-7)

If you are studying at South Asian University or Nalanda University, you will get an S-7 student visa. This visa lasts for your whole course and lets you make four entries to India each academic year.

In case of emergencies, you will need permission for extra entries from your university and the FRRO/FRO. And if you need to extend your visa, you can do it through the FRRO/FRO.

You have got to register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arriving in India. If you are staff or faculty at these universities, you will get an E-5 employment visa. 

Who Can Apply for an India Student Visa?

If you are thinking about studying in India, you will need a student visa. This visa is for students who want to take full-time courses at recognized schools.

You can study various things with this visa: regular degree programs such as bachelor’s, master’s, or PhDs, language courses to learn Hindi or other Indian languages, and vocational courses to learn new skills.

Just make sure the school you are going to is approved by the government. That way, you know your courses meet all the rules and regulations.

What Are the Conditions of an India Student Visa?

When you are getting a student visa for India, there are some important things to know:

• You can switch your courses up to three times while your visa is valid. But if you need to change more, you will have to get a new visa.
• You can enroll in as many courses as you want, at different schools if you like.
• If you change your course in the middle, your visa’s time limit starts from when you first got it.
• Your school has to tell the officials about all the international students studying there.
• Some courses might need you to do extra things like training or internships, and you do not need special permission for these things.
• If you want to take a short course in India, make sure it is officially recognized. You can check on the AICTE website for the recognized list of courses.

What Are the Requirements for an India Student Visa?

If you are planning to get a student visa for India, here is what you will need:

1. You must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after you plan to leave India. Make sure there are at least two blank pages for the visa stamps.
2. Then, you will need to fill out an application form with all your information, like your name, address, and birthday. Please be careful while doing this and avoid mistakes.
3. A recent passport-size photo. It should be 2 x 2 inches and taken within the last three months.
4. If you have had an Indian visa before, even if it is expired, you must include copies of it.
5. You will also need to show proof of where you currently live. That means a copy of your ID card from your home country and a recent utility bill.
6. You need a copy of your flight ticket showing when you are arriving and leaving.
7. After you pay the visa fee online or at the bank, make sure you keep the receipt they give you.
8. If you are going to India for medical courses, you will need extra paperwork from the Indian Ministry of Health.
9. You must prove you have been accepted to a school in India. You must show your admission letter for this.
10. You also need to show that you have got enough money to support yourself while you are in India. A letter from your parents or guardian and a bank statement will be enough for this step.
11. Make sure you have all the details about your course, like what you will be studying and when your classes are.
12. Include copies of your educational certificates to prove you are qualified for the course.
13. If you are already studying in India and need to extend your visa, please include copies of your registration documents too.

How To Apply for an Indian Student Visa?

If you are ready to apply for an Indian student visa, here is what you need to do:

1. Make sure you have been accepted to a university in India and paid any fees they require.
2. Next, fill out the visa application form online. Do not forget to give all your details.
3. You will also need to upload a picture of yourself that looks like a passport photo.
4. Then, you will have to pay the visa fee online. The cost depends on where you are from.
5. Once you have submitted your application online, you cannot change it. So, take your time and check everything carefully before you send it.
6. After that, print a copy of your application. You will need it when you go to the visa application center.
7. Make an appointment at the visa application center closest to you. When you go, take your printed application and all the documents they ask for.
8. Now, you should wait for a decision. If everything goes well, you will either get your visa in the mail or you can pick it up from the application center. 

Documents Required To Get an Indian Student Visa 

When you go to your appointment at the visa center, do not forget to bring these things with you:

1. Make sure your passport has a few empty pages and it is valid for at least 180 more days.
2. Two small passport size photos.
3. A copy of your passport.
4. Proof of where you are going to stay in India.
5. A printed copy of the form you filled out online.
6. A letter from your university saying you have been accepted.
7. Proof that you have enough money to live in India while you study.

What Is The Validity of an India Student Visa? 

When you apply for a student visa, you can get it for up to five years or as long as your study program lasts. Usually, you will have a maximum of four chances to come and go each academic year. 

But if you need to, you can ask for extra entries in special situations, like emergencies, with permission from your school and the local office that handles foreign residents.

How Much Does it Cost for India Student Visa?

When you want to get a student visa for India, the cost can change based on where you are from and how long you plan to stay. 

Usually, if you are studying for up to five years, it is around 6,250 Indian Rupees or about 70-75 USD. 

Besides the regular fee, there might be extra charges for special services like faster processing. Please make sure to check the details for your specific situation when you apply.

What Is The Processing Time of India Student Visa?

When you apply for an India Student Visa, how long it takes to process can vary. It depends on where you are from, which Indian embassy or consulate you apply to, and how many applications they have. 

Usually, it takes about 7 to 45 business days. But it could be faster or slower depending on your situation. Some embassies offer quicker processing for an extra fee. This will take around 2 to 5 business days.

Can You Extend Your India Student Visa?

If you do not finish your course in time, you might get extra chances to extend your visa. But it depends on your university. 

You can also change your course or school if needed. Just make sure to follow the rules and get the right approvals to keep studying in India smoothly.

Can You Work in India With an India Student Visa?

If you want to get a visa for Croatia, it is pretty easy. It has an 88% approval rate. But whether you get approved depends on things like the type of visa and where you are from. 

To make sure you get your student visa, you need to have all the right documents and fill out the application form honestly. You can also practice for the interview, so you are ready to answer any questions they ask you during the visa interview.

Can Your Family Join You in India?

If your husband, wife, or kids are with you, they can also get a visa. Each person needs their own application. The visa for your family usually lasts as long as yours. But sometimes it might be shorter.

What To Do If Your India Student Visa Is Rejected?

Sometimes, a few student visa applications get turned down because they do not meet all the rules set by the Indian government.

If your application gets rejected, the IVAC or mission would not say exactly why it happened. But usually, it is because of common mistakes like:

• Forgetting to upload your photos
• Making mistakes or leaving things blank on the form
• Having a passport that is about to expire
• Not showing enough money to pay for your studies

It is disappointing when your visa gets refused, but please don’t give up. You can try again. You need to fix the problems that you faced on your first try. If you send the same application again, it won’t change anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you are not from Bhutan, the Maldives, or Nepal, you will need an India student visa to study in India. To get this visa, you must first get accepted into a recognized school in India. 

If your application is approved, you will get a visa for as long as you are studying. This duration can last up to five years. 

While submitting your documents, you must follow all the steps as mentioned in this article. This will not only reduce the hassle but also help you to get the India student visa swiftly.