Foreigner students coming to India to pursue regular and full time academic studies in India apply for Student Visa with Indian diplomatic missions. The Indian mission grants student visa to foreigners for a period of five years or for the duration of the course of study. One of the requirements of applying for this Visa is that the Applicant should possess the proof of admission to a full time regular academic course in a reputed/recognized educational institution in India and evidence of financial support during the course.
The Foreigners once in India must comply with all necessary requirements such as: Foreigners intending to stay more than 180 days (under the Student Visa or otherwise) are required to get themselves registered with the concerned jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival and residential permit is issued at the time of such registration, validity of which is the period of stay specified in the visa. If at any time a foreigner who is changing the registered address must inform the FRRO. Supporting documents required for registration in case of student visa include three copies of Bonafide certificate from School, College or academic Institute for the academic year mentioning relevant particulars including validity of admission.
But most students/ foreigners fail to comply with basic requirements. The Foreigners must remember that “Ignorance of law is not an excuse and in the event of overstay foreigner is liable for prosecution under Foreigners Act 1946 and imprisonment up to 5 years with fine & expulsion from India. Or any breach of conditions of Visa can result in cancellation of the Visa and can also result in being blacklisted from entry in India. If a student does not violate any law of India, the foreign students have nothing to worry about. Compliance of Law of the land is mandatory.
Visa may be extended by the Registration Officers and extensions are granted as per requirements on case-to-case basis. Application for extension of the Residential Permit/Visa must be made at least 60 days before its expiry. The Applications are mostly online and simple.
Some of the documents required for extension of Visa are:-
- Bank remittance i.e. bank statement showing that the applicant can support himself/herself financially during his/her stay of one year in India.
- Marks sheet or Examination passing certificate for the exams passed in the last academic year.
- Attendance proof or certificate for regularly attending classes in case of application for extension.
- Course fees receipt.
- Admission/eligibility certificate from the University/college/educational institution
- In case of change of University/college/educational institution, NoC from the previous University/ college/ educational institution
-Shashank Kumar, Attorney, India-International Law Firm