The essential requirement for a study visa is an unconditional offer of admission to a recognised Indian educational institute.

Indian study visas only permit their holders to change either their course or institution with specific permission from the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office).

Benefits :

• In India, visas for study allow a foreign national to study in India for up to five years.

• Whilst the duration granted is based upon the length of the course, there is no limit to the amount of consecutive courses of study that can be undertaken under a single grant.

• However, the collective time in India must not exceed the five year maximum. Study visas issued for less than five years can be extended with the permission of the local FRRO and similarly, the course of study and/or the educational institution may be changed  if circumstances are deemed sufficient.

• A study visa is normally valid for a single or multiple entries to India, although it is possible to obtain a permit for further entries if required.

Eligibility :

As outlined above, the main requirement for an Indian student visa is that the applicant is  offered a place in a bone fide course of study from a recognised educational institution in India. As part of the application, the details of the course and the place of study must be included. In cases where a letter of admission from the educational institution is not available, a provisional student visa will be issued. However, admission must be confirmed within a period of three months, otherwise the candidate will not be permitted to remain in India.

Immigration law in India does not allow a provisional visa of this kind to be extended. Applications must also include a range of other supporting documentation including a current and valid passport from the country of residence, with a minimum of six months validity and at least two blank pages.

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.