subject: Student and Transit Visa for India, Eligibility [print this page] Student and Transit Visa for India, Eligibility
Student Visa:
This is issued to foreigners who wish to enter India to pursue studies, research and advanced studies in India-based universities, colleges, schools, educational institutions and academies. Student visas are given to bona fide students to pursue regular studies at recognized institutions in India. The Visa has multiple entry options and is valid for the period of study as approved by the educational institution in India.
To apply/ be eligible for a student visa, you need to conform to the following conditions:
If you are on Government of India scholarships, the respective Indian missions would be advised by ICCR to issue a regular student visa after your admission in an Indian university is confirmed. On the other hand, if you are coming as a +, you need to produce letters of admission from universities or recognized colleges and institutions in India for obtaining the regular student visa.
If you are coming as a research student, synopsis of the research project countersigned by the sponsoring institution in India along with letter of approval and no objection certificate from the concerned Ministries in India should be submitted for necessary visa. Processing of applications for research may take about three months.
In case of Provisional Student Visa' when a student seeks regular admission in any college/university then one time course fee is charged which is valid for the duration of the course or for 5 years whichever is less.
Students not having firm letters of admission from universities or institutions are issued Provisional Student Visa by the Indian missions abroad, on the basis of provisional letters of admissions. However, Provisional Student Visa is valid for 3 months. Within these 3 months, your admission needs to be confirmed otherwise you will have to leave India. No extension of Provisional Student Visa is permitted.
Where applicants will be attending a medical course of study, a letter of approval, or no objection certificate must be obtained from the Ministry of Health in India.
For applicants attending courses in engineering or at technical institutions in India, a similar authorisation form the Department of Education will be required.
Transit Visa:
This is issued to foreigners who solely intend to travel through India to reach the next destination. Visitors are not allowed to change the purpose of stay and can only remain in the country for a maximum of 3 days. Otherwise, an appropriate visa is required. Evidence of onward travel to a destination outside India is required for the issuance of such visa. A transit visa is granted for the sole purpose of enabling the holder to travel through India to reach his/her ultimate destination. Transit visa cannot be extended or converted into another visa. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs can do so if satisfied in exceptional cases.
