India has introduced new visa options specifically designed for international students, known as the “e-student visa” and “e-student-x visa.” These visas are available exclusively to applicants who use the government’s “Study in India” portal.
International students registered on this portal are eligible to apply for the e-student visa. Moreover, dependents of those holding an e-student visa can apply for the e-student-x visa.
Abhijit Zaveri, the founder and director of Career Mosaic, noted that students from neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and various African nations will greatly benefit from these special visas. He emphasized that allowing international universities to establish campuses in GIFT City further enhances India’s reputation as a global education hub, giving students access to quality education without leaving the country.
This new initiative aims to make the admission process smoother for students, requiring all visa applications to be submitted through the SII portal. To begin the application process, students must first receive an offer of admission from one of the partner institutions listed on the SII portal. They can then apply for their visa at indianvisaonline.gov.in, where they will use their SII ID to validate their admission and visa requests.
The e-student visa is designed for foreign nationals enrolled in recognized institutions in India for full-time undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or other formal academic programs. These visas can be valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the course, and can be extended as needed. Visa holders are permitted to enter India through any immigration checkpoint.
According to Supriya Mathew, vice president of international affairs at Dayanand Sagar University (DSU), these special category visas will significantly reduce paperwork and confusion for international applicants. Mathew added that these changes would make universities more accessible to students from various regions, particularly those facing challenges due to strict visa regulations.
The Study in India portal, launched by the Ministry of Education, connects international students with top Indian educational institutions. Featuring over 8,000 courses across various fields, such as engineering, management, sciences, and humanities, the portal serves as a centralized platform for admissions. It consists of over 600 partner institutions offering programs at various levels tailored to students’ academic and career goals.
As reported in the AISHE 2021/22 document, there are currently 46,878 students from 170 countries enrolled in Indian educational institutions. The largest number of international students comes from Nepal, followed by Afghanistan, the United States, Bangladesh, and the UAE.
Aritra Ghosal, founder of OneStep Global, suggested that to establish itself as a major study destination, India should focus on improving infrastructure for international students, promoting cultural exchange programs, and enhancing collaboration between Indian and foreign institutions. He mentioned that increasing post-study opportunities and simplifying visa processes would also help bolster India’s standing as a premier education hub.
With a diverse international student population from countries such as Madagascar, Sudan, Syria, and the USA, DSU exemplifies the increasing draw of Indian universities for students worldwide. Mathew pointed out that while this diversity is a strength, there are still challenges that need attention from the government and educational systems.
She highlighted that complicated visa and immigration policies, along with limited options for students to stay in India post-study, often discourage international applicants. Affordability for students from developing countries, global recognition of degrees from Indian universities, and the cultural adjustments needed for international students are other significant hurdles to overcome.
Mathew concluded that addressing these challenges requires proactive government support, including more flexible visa policies, streamlined immigration procedures, robust scholarship opportunities, and partnerships between Indian universities and their global counterparts.
