Depending on the purpose of visit, India offers various kinds of visas. Student Visa is a visa specifically for the students wanting to come to India for education purpose. Generally 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.

In order to apply or 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 Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to issue a regular Student Visa after your admission in an Indian university/Institute is confirmed.
If you are coming as a self-financing student, you need to produce confirmed letters of admission (Acceptance Letter) of LPU.
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 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.

No, it is not allowed to change the University/College. You need to mention the name of the Institute while applying for the visa, which is then mentioned on the visa. A request for change of university 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 university or any institution 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.

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

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.

It is mandatory for all international students to register themselves with local FRRO, within 14 days of their arrival in India (arrival date mentioned on Visa), from 15th day late registration fee will be charged by FRRO Office. Student has to register him/her self by using the link http://indianfrro.gov.in/frro

Following documents are required for registration:-	Format	Max size
1) Passport (Photo and validity page).	pdf	200 KB
2) Visa (visa and immigration stamp page).	pdf	200 KB
3) Bonafide certificate for Registration.	pdf	200 KB
4) Local address proof (Hostlers can upload Bonafide certificate).	pdf	200 KB
5) Photograph (passport size).	jpg	50 KB

For any information feel free to visit, Block - 32, Room – 308, Division of International Affairs,

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 from Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). However, with respect to courses in medical or para-medical courses, NOC from Ministry of Health will be required.

In case you want to get your Student Visa extended you should approach the local Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (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 recognized university or institution, subject to due sponsorship by the Institution and nothing adverse stands against the foreigner. This is a complete online process and students have to fill the online FRRO extension form and then visit the FRRO office to show the certificates and collect the FRRO. Student can apply for visa extension by using the link http://indianfrro.gov.in/frro

Following documents are required for extension of Visa:-	Format	Max size
1) Passport (Photo and validity page).	pdf	200 KB
2) Visa (visa and immigration stamp page).	pdf	200 KB
3) Bonafide certificate for Extension.	pdf	200 KB
4) Local address proof (Hostlers can upload Bonafide certificate).	pdf	200 KB
5) Bank account details	pdf	200 KB
6) FRRO	pdf	200 KB
7) Photograph (passport size).	jpg	50 KB

LPU helps in extension of visa of the students who have already been studying at LPU Campus For any information feel free to visit: - Division of International Affairs, Block - 32, Room – 308

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 International office of LPU 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/university 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 but concerned FRRO office may have nominal processing charges.

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, you can pursue M. Phil on Student Visa.

You must have valid Indian visa for visiting back to your country. In case your visa has expired then you first need to apply for the renewal of Visa from the FRRO office. Once you have valid visa then you can apply for the return exit permit online and collect from the FRRO office in Phagwara. It is very important that you carry the exit permit as this is required to be produced at the airport immigration.

You must complete the No –Dues formalities at the universities and you must check and ensure that you don’t have any pending courses that are required for the completion of the program. Apply for transcripts, migration certificate, provisional degree, character certificate
Once you have valid visa then you can apply for the exit permit online and collect from the FRRO office in Phagwara. It is very important that you carry the exit permit as this is required to be produced at the airport immigration. In case your visa has expired then you first need to apply for the renewal of Visa from the FRRO office.

Yes, if it is a single entry visa and you return back home then you needs to apply for the fresh Visa at the Indian High Commission in your home country. Please ensure that you carry your transcript and your bonafide student certificate from the university before leaving, as this would be required and needs to be submitted at the time of visa application.