Information Related To Visa

Student Visa is a visa specifically for the students wanting to come to India for education purpose. Student Visas are issued for the duration of the academic course of study or for a period of five years whichever is less, on the basis of letters of admission from Universities/recognized colleges or educational institutions in India. However it is the discretion of the Indian High Commission to decide the duration of the Student Visa. The children of NRIs and PIOs cardholders need not procure a Student Visa. Other international students need Student Visa or Research Visa for Doctoral level courses.

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 High Commission / Embassy would be advised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to issue a regular Student Visa after your admission in an Indian Institution/University is confirmed.
• If you are admitting as a self-financing student, you need to produce confirmed 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 (NOC) from the concerned Ministries in India should be submitted for necessary visa.

Note: Processing of applications for research may take about three months

If you are not having confirmation letters of admission from a University or an institution you can get Provisional Student Visa by the Indian High Commission 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.

You need to mention the name of the Institution while applying for the visa, which is then mentioned on the visa. A request for change of College or institution subsequently made cannot be considered. In this case you would be required to go back to your home country and apply for a new visa.

If you come to India on Tourist or any other type of Visa, you cannot get that Visa changed to Student Visa. According to the government regulations, if an international student coming to India on a Tourist or any other type of Visa (except a Student Visa ), obtains admission into a Institution or any colleges in India, the student will be required to return to his/her home country and obtain a new visa (i.e. the Student Visa) from the Indian mission there.

Yes, while applying for the visa you need to keep in mind the following regulations:

• Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of intended departure from India should accompany the visa application.
• Students holding other nationalities (other than the country where applying for visa), should submit proof of long-term (at least three years)/ permanent residence in the country (where applying).
• For citizen of other countries, a reference has to be made to their country of residence for which an additional fee is applicable and will involve extra processing time. Please refrain from making inquiries about the status of application during this time.

Student Visas can be obtained from any of the Indian Missions. Click here to view the list of Indian Missions Abroad.

Yes, you can get a Student Visa from Indian Missions abroad, provided you have confirmed admission to a course in a reputed/recognized institute in India.

The visa can be applied for from any of the Indian Embassies / High Commission. Click here to view the list of Indian Embassies / High Commissions.

The Student Visa fees depends on the nationality of the passport holder and type/duration of visa applied. This fees are payable in the local currency as well. Please check with the Indian embassy in your country for exact visa fees.

International students holding Student Visa of more than 180 days are required to register themselves with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival.

So far as admission to diploma (O Level) /degree/post-graduate degree in Engineering and Technology, Architecture & Town Planning, Pharmacy, Applied Arts, MBA, MCA, Hotel Management & Catering Technology are concerned, there is no requirement of NOC fromMinistry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). However, with respect to courses in medical or para-military courses, NOC from M/o Health will be required.

Incase you want to get your Student Visa extended you should approach the local Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRROs)/ District Superintendents of Police(FROs) with authentic certificate, proof of adequate financial standing etc. The Visa can be extended for a period of one year at a time up to the duration of the course or 5 years whichever is less for students pursuing full time and regular course in a reputated and recognized Institution or college, subject to due sponsorship by the Institution and nothing adverse against the foreigner.

The following documents are required to be submitted at the time of Visa Extension:

• Visa Extension form
• 1 Recent passport size photographs
• Bonafide certificate from College/Institution/University (In original)
• Copy of passport/VISA/Registration Book
• Proof of residence
• Passport and Registration Book in original RATHINAM GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS helps in extension of visa of the students who have already been studying in RATHINAM GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS Campus

Yes, a registered student, who has completed graduation, can apply for visa extension to pursue a post graduate course from concerned FRRO/FRO cum Superintendent of Police provided he produces an authentic certificate from his/her institution. The Admission office of TCC helps the students in the registration process.

Yes, on permission of undertaking a new course, a fresh visa fee is charged.

• Visa fee is charged once at the time of issuance of Student Visa for completion of the course or for 5 years whichever is less.
• In case of ‘Provisional Student Visa’ when a student seeks regular admission in any college/Institution then onetime fee is charged which is valid for the duration of the course or for 5 years whichever is less.
• If the visa is issued for a period less than the duration of the course, then the visa would be extended by the concerned authorities without charging any additional fees.

Yes, foreign students can visit the restricted and prohibited areas in India after getting a valid Resident Permit as visa alone is not sufficient to visit such places.

Yes, for pursuing Masters, a Student Visa is required.