The Government of India's Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced two special category visas for international students pursuing higher education in India: the 'e-student visa' and the 'e-student-x visa'. To access these visa benefits, all applicants must use the 'Study in India' (SII) portal. Foreign students registered on the portal can apply for the e-student visa, while their dependents are eligible for the e-student-x visa, per official announcements.

The SII portal streamlines the admission process for international students applying for long-term and short-term courses in India. Students must register on the portal and receive an admission offer from one of its partner institutions. They can then apply for a visa through indianvisaonline.gov.in. The SII ID generated during registration is crucial for verifying applications and tracking progress.

The e-student visa is available for students enrolled in recognized undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or certificate programs at Indian institutions. Valid for up to five years, it can be extended within India, and holders can enter through any designated immigration check post.

The SII programme, led by India’s Ministry of Education, features over 600 partner institutes offering more than 8,000 courses across various disciplines, including engineering, management, sciences, arts, and specialized fields like Yoga and Buddhist Studies. These courses are available at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, offering flexibility for students to choose based on their interests.

To begin, students need to register online by providing basic details such as their name, country, date of birth, email, and phone number. After registering, you’ll receive a unique SII ID. This ID is crucial because it helps with your course applications, tracks your progress, and is needed for your student visa. Without it, you won’t be able to apply for studies or move to India.

Simply click on the 'Register Now' tab on the SII portal, fill in your information, and get your SII ID. Once you have it, you can use it to apply for courses, check your application status, and apply for an e-student visa.