The Government of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced two special category visas— the ‘e-student visa’ and the ‘e-student-x visa’— for international students seeking higher education in India. Officials have clarified that applicants must apply through the ‘Study in India’ (SII) portal to avail of these visa benefits. International students registered on the SII portal can apply for the e-student visa, while their dependents are eligible for the e-student-x visa, according to the announcement.
The SII portal streamlines the admission process for international students applying for both long-term and short-term courses in India.
Students must register on the SII portal and receive an admission offer from a partner institution. They can then apply for a visa via indianvisaonline.gov.in, using their SII ID to verify applications and track progress. Officials have emphasized that all applicants must use the ‘Study in India’ (SII) portal to access visa benefits.
The e-student visa is for students enrolled in recognized programs at Indian institutions. It is valid for up to five years, extendable within India, and allows entry through any designated immigration checkpoint.
The SII programme, managed by India’s Ministry of Education, includes over 600 partner institutes offering more than 8,000 courses in fields like engineering, management, sciences, arts, and specialized areas such as Yoga and Buddhist Studies. Courses are available at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, offering students flexibility in their choices.
Registration on the SII portal is simple and requires basic details like name, country, and email.