Student Visas - India

As a country, India boasts some of the best universities in the world and studying in India requires all non-Indian nationals to obtain a place on a course of study at a recognized Indian educational institution. As a general rule the Indian study visa is issued for the duration of the course or for a minimum of five years and the visa is valid for the institution that has accepted an applicant. To change institutions would normally mean applying for a new student visa with the acceptance letter from the new institution.

Study Visa Benefits

Indian study visas can be issued for a single entry or multiple entries and may be valid for up to five years, depending on the specific needs of each applicant. The visa duration generally depends on the on the duration of the course, however, no limit is placed upon the amount of consecutive courses which may be completed, as long as the overall duration does not exceed five years. If applicants would like to switch institutions it is sometimes possible to gain permission form the local Foreigners registration office. As a general rule, student visas are issued under the institution that awarded the applicant with a place of study.

Requirements for an Indian Study Visa

The main requirement upon applying for an Indian study visa is that applicants must have been awarded a place of offer on a course at an authentic educational institute in India. The full details of the course and the institution will be required upon your application submission. If an applicant does not have a letter of admission from the institution which they have applied to, a provisional student visa may will be granted for three months, in that period the applicant does need to provide proof of admission before the authorities offer a longer student visa. A provisional study visa for India is not extendable and if confirmation is not provided within three months the applicant will be obliged to leave India. All visa grants are subject to individual cases.

Once again all applicants must have a current passport from their country of residence which must be valid for a minimum of six months. Applicants who would like to pursue a medical course in India will also be required to contact the Ministry of Health in order to obtain a letter of approval or a certificate of no objection to study towards a medical course in India. Candidates in Engineering and technical students must gain similar approval from the Department of Education.

Spouse and Dependent Immigration

Applicants who desire to study and who are granted an Indian study visa may be accompanied by their spouse and or dependents to India. The student visa is a temporary visa even if in some cases it may be granted for a period of five years; still, it cannot be used as a route to permanent residency. As a result the duration awarded to the main applicant on their student visa will the same duration awarded to their dependents/or spouse.

To find more on obtaining a student visas visit us on our online assessment area now to take our quick and easy assessment forms and a Global Visas consultant will respond to you.