New Delhi: India has introduced two new visa categories, e-student visa and e-student-x visa to streamline the process for international students seeking higher education in the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs has linked the visa application process to the government’s ‘Study in India’ (SII) portal, aiming to make the procedure more efficient and transparent.
Key Details of the E-Student Visa
The e-student visa is available for foreign students who secure admission to Indian institutions recognized under the SII portal. To be eligible, students must first register and apply through the SII portal, which verifies their credentials before they can apply for a visa via the Indian visa portal.
The e-student visa is valid for the duration of the academic course, covering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, with a maximum validity of up to five years. Students can extend the visa within India if necessary.
E-Student-X Visa for Dependents
The e-student-x visa has been introduced for the dependents of e-student visa holders, ensuring family members can accompany students during their stay in India.
Admission and Visa Processing
The SII portal plays a critical role in simplifying the admission and visa process. It verifies the authenticity of applications and ensures international students apply only to recognized partner institutions. Admission through the portal is mandatory for visa processing.
Once admission is secured, students can apply for the e-student visa, which allows entry through any designated immigration checkpoint in India.
Implications for India’s Higher Education
The move is part of India’s broader strategy to attract international students and enhance its appeal as a global education hub. By streamlining procedures and linking them to the SII portal, the government aims to address challenges international students previously faced in navigating the visa application process.
The new visa categories are expected to support India’s efforts to increase the inflow of international students, particularly in the context of its growing prominence in global higher education.
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