Indian Student Visa
Guide to Application Materials and Process for Indian Student Visas
Overview of Visa Types
Electronic Student Visa (e-SV)
Mainland China (All provinces)
Enroll in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, short-term, or language/cultural programs at Indian institutions recognized by the Government of India, UGC, or AICTE.
Standard Student Visa S1-Student
Mainland China (Beijing IVAC covers 22 provinces/municipalities in North, Northeast, and Northwest China; Shanghai IVAC covers Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang; Guangzhou IVAC covers southern provinces; Hong Kong Consulate General covers the Hong Kong and Macau regions)
Higher Education (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) in India, Short-Term Courses, Student Exchange Programs, and Skill Training
Application Document Checklist
e-Student Visa (e-SV)
- 1Scanned copy of a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 consecutive blank pages)
- 2Recent color photo (square, white background, 5×5 cm or 3.5×4.5 cm, JPEG, 10KB-1MB)
- 3Official letter of admission from a recognized educational institution in India (including course duration)
- 4Parental Support Letter + Bank Statements or Bank Guarantee from the last 6 months
- 5No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), if pursuing medical or allied health courses.
- 6Complete the e-Visa application online and upload your photo and passport information page.
- 7Pay e-Visa fee (Credit/Debit Card or PayPal)
Standard Student Visa S1-Student
- 1Complete and print the application form on indianvisaonline.gov.in, then sign it.
- 2Original valid passport (valid for at least 190 days with a minimum of 2 consecutive blank pages) + photocopy
- 32 2"×2" (approximately 5×5 cm) white-background color passport photos
- 4Official Admission Letter from Indian Educational Institution (including course name, duration, and start date)
- 5Diploma/Degree Certificate + Transcripts (Notarized in both Chinese and English)
- 6Financial Proof: Bank statements for the last 6 months for yourself or your parents, covering tuition and living expenses.
- 7Affidavit of Parental Support (Notarized)
- 8Original and copy of household register
- 9Medical courses with MoHFW NOC
- 10Research-oriented course with research proposal and acceptance letter from Indian supervisor
- 11Service Fee Receipt
Processing Time and Fees
e-Student Visa (e-SV)
Processing Time
Submit at least 4 natural days before your intended travel date; applications can be filed as early as 120 days in advance. Normal processing results in visa issuance within 72 hours (ETA will be sent via email).
Visa Fees
The e-SV visa fee varies by country. For applicants from China, the fee is RMB 899, plus a bank processing charge of 2.5%-4%. Visa fees are non-refundable once paid.
Standard Student Visa S1-Student
Processing Time
Standard processing time: 5-7 business days. If additional documents are required or embassy review is needed, it may take up to 4-6 weeks. We recommend submitting your application 45-60 days in advance.
Visa Fees
Visa fee: RMB 899 per person (Student Visa); BLS service fee: RMB 32.01 per application (tax included); ICWF Overseas Indian Worker Welfare Fee: RMB 21. Additional services such as SMS, photocopying, and photos incur an extra charge of RMB 49. Cash or POS card payment only.
Renewal Rules
e-SV visas are issued based on course duration and require the holder to leave India upon expiration to apply for a new visa or convert to a regular S1 student visa for renewal. The S1 visa can be extended within India through the FRRO.
Top Reasons for Visa Rejections
- Passport validity is less than 6 months or there are insufficient blank pages.
- Photo does not meet specifications (size/background/format)
- Admission letter issued by an institution not recognized by the Government of India or UGC/AICTE
- Insufficient or missing financial guarantee documents
- Medical courses lack MoHFW NOC
- Application form contains errors or information does not match passport
- Visa fee payment failed
- Academic or degree certificate not notarized or translation is incomplete
FAQ
1Can e-SV visa holders work?
Not allowed. Student visa holders are not permitted to engage in any paid work in India.
2How to choose between the two visa types?
e-SV is available nationwide for convenient online application; S1 visas must be submitted via IVAC and are suitable for students requiring long-term residence or enrolled in special programs.
3How long is the visa valid for?
Issued based on course duration, up to 5 years. You must depart and reapply upon expiration or apply for an extension within India.
4Is FRRO registration important?
Critical. You must register with the FRRO within 14 days of entry. Failure to register on time is a violation and may result in fines or deportation.
5Can I transfer?
You must reapply for your visa or process a transfer of enrollment, and notify the FRRO to update your information.
Need help with your visa application?
Professional advisory team provides one-on-one visa guidance services.